Crowds swell at India Gate as Delhi returns to its favourite weekend hang-out

After 19 months, India Gate was a viable weekend hang-out spot for residents of the national capital, who turned up in hordes at the iconic monument and the revamped Kartavya Path on Saturday, with crowds peaking in the evening, as visitors thronged the area for a glimpse of a drone show and the new statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Bengaluru Karaga to begin today. Five things to know

Bengaluru Karaga, an 11-day annual ritual, begins on Wednesday with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) making arrangements for the procession. The Tamil speaking Thigalar community will visit the tomb of an 18th century Muslim saint at Cottonpet, carrying a floral earthen pot. The festival celebrates the unity of Hindu and Muslim people, with over six lakh people expected to participate in the main festival - 'Draupadi Devi Karaga Shaktyostava' - on April 6.

Orissa HC stays land alienation for JSW steel project till FRA is complied with

The Orissa High Court has stayed the process of land alienation for JSW's Rs 65,000 crore steel project in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district until provisions of the Forest Rights Act are complied with. The National Green Tribunal last week suspended the project's environmental clearance due to lack of appraisal and public hearing.

Karnataka clears 55 industrial projects worth ₹3,451.24 cr investment

Karnataka Industries and Commerce Department approved 55 investment proposals worth Rs 3,451.24 crore, promising 33,049 employment opportunities. Eight "important large and medium size industrial projects" worth Rs 2,012.14 crore were approved, creating 22,033 jobs. 43 projects with investments of Rs 1,187.93 crore and 11,016 jobs were also cleared. Four additional projects worth Rs 251.17 crore were approved, generating massive employment opportunities.

Civil defence volunteer attacked by goons in East Delhi, disarms them

A 44-year-old woman in Delhi used her self-defense skills to disarm and overpower two teenagers who allegedly robbed her 14-year-old son. The woman, Sapna Kumar, was able to fight them off and locals from the area thrashed the knife-wielding boys, aged 15 and 16. The boys have since been apprehended and Sapna attributed her success to the self-defense training she acquired as a Delhi Civil Defence volunteer.

Delhi man live streams his suicide, saved by police

Delhi Police averted a possible live streaming of a suicide on Facebook after receiving an SOS alert from the social media platform. A 25-year-old man was trying to stream his suicide at his Nand Nagri residence. Police rushed to his house and found him drowsy after consuming 30-40 pills. He was taken to the hospital and later discharged after treatment.

Mass leave announced by doctors in Rajasthan; medical services to be affected

Government doctors and faculty members of medical colleges in Rajasthan have announced a one-day mass leave on Wednesday in solidarity with private doctors agitating against the Right to Health Bill. Emergencies will be exempt and disciplinary action will be taken against those who boycott work. Private doctors are demanding the bill's withdrawal, citing bureaucratic interference in the functioning of private hospitals. The Bill was passed in accordance with the recommendations of a select committee.

Maharashtra logs 450 new covid-19 cases, 3 fatalities; active tally at 2,343

Maharashtra recorded 450 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, raising the tally to 81,42,509. Three fatalities were also reported, with the total death toll reaching 1,48,438. 316 patients recovered in the last 24 hours, while 8,65,96,047 tests have been conducted in the state so far. Mumbai city reported 135 new cases, taking its tally to 11,55,662, with 19,747 deaths. Maharashtra now has 2,343 active cases.

Spice of Life: Living with the famed Mighty Girl Effect

A five-year-old's answer to why Goddess Durga has four arms shook the writer to the core, prompting introspection and a journey of understanding the immense work done by women. This International Women's Day, the call is to embrace equity, diversity and inclusion to reach the zenith of gender equality, while addressing deeply entrenched patriarchal and patrilineal norms.

Inter-zonal hockey tournament: Karnataka, Hyderabad, Delhi and Haryana log wins

The IA&AD Inter Zonal Hockey Tournament kicked off on Tuesday at Sector 42 Hockey Stadium. AG Karnataka, AG Hyderabad, Delhi Audit and AG Haryana won their respective matches, with AG Haryana defeating AG West Bengal 8-2. Jai Prakash, Manikantane, Rajkumar Pal and Triveni Prasad scored two goals each.

Panchkula: Failing to prevent fraud costs bank dear

PNB was held guilty of negligence and ordered to pay a Dhakoli resident ?15,000 in compensation, ?11 lakh fraudulently withdrawn from his account with 9% interest, and ?5,500 as cost of litigation due to failure to implement a fraud detection and prevention mechanism as per RBI directives.

15 tola gold, ₹70,000 stolen from locked house in Chandigarh’s Sector 23

Police have launched a theft investigation after a house in Sector 23 was broken into and 15 tolas of gold and ?70,000 cash were stolen. Neighbors heard noises but didn't suspect anything wrong. The accused has been booked under IPC Sections 380 and 454.

Chandigarh MC hires private firm to lift, process cow dung from gaushalas

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has hired a private firm to lift cow dung from the city's four gaushalas and process it to make fuel. MC commissioner Anindita Mitra said the contract was given to the firm at ?101 per metric tonne for a period of five years. The civic body is also taking steps to improve stray cattle management and setting up Effluent Treatment Plants and processing machines to make fuel.

Chandigarh to host second G20 meeting from March 29 to 31

90 delegates from G20 countries, guest countries and international organisations have arrived in Chandigarh for the second Agriculture Deputies Meeting as part of the G20 Summit from March 29 to 31. The administration is hosting dinners and cultural events for the delegates, while Chandigarh Police are conducting CASO operations and keeping a strict vigil to ensure security. The first G20 meeting in Chandigarh was held in January, with more meetings planned before the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi in 2023.

4 months on, two arrested for firing at financier in Panchkula

Two men accused of opening fire at a financier in Panchkula in December 2022 have been arrested by the crime branch of Panchkula police. The duo, identified as Jasbir Kumar and Basant Kumar, were produced before a local court and sent to three-day police custody. They are accused of firing shots in the air, shooting at the financier's vehicle, and throwing a polythene containing a threat letter. A case under Sections 307, 336 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Arms Act was registered.

Builder to refund ₹4 lakh to Mohali resident for delay in plot possession

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-1 has ordered a builder to refund ?4 lakh to a Mohali resident for a plot in a residential society in Sector 113, Mohali, after 11 years of not handing over the plot. The builder had accepted the amount without having necessary approvals and was also directed to pay a compensation of ?10,000 for causing mental agony and harassment.