The Statesman Kolkata - March 27, 2025

In this issue

March 27, 2025

Will move Calcutta HC over govt's attempt to mislead SC on OBC reservation: Bengal LoP

West Bengal Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday claimed that he will move the Calcutta High Court against the state government, highlighting the attempts to mislead the Supreme Court (SC) on the pretext of a fresh survey to identify the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

1 min

Hooghly District Health Officials Take Initiative to Eradicating Tuberculosis

Under the banner of the National Tuberculosis Eradication programme, a meeting was held by the district TB Forum.

1 min

Trinamul Leaders Lodge Complaint Over AI-Generated Defamatory Video Targeting CM

A group of Trinamul Congress (TMC) leaders in Siliguri have lodged a formal complaint at the Siliguri Cyber Police Station on Wednesday against Vishal Mangar, a resident of Namchi, Sikkim.

1 min

MHA Calls Second Round of Tripartite Talks

The ministry of home affairs has invited stakeholders to attend the second round of tripartite talks involving the central government, representatives from Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars regions, and the West Bengal government.

1 min

Nataraj Nrityalaya Hosts 3rd Nataraj Nritya Mahotsav

Nataraj Nrityalaya, Chinsura recently held the third Nataraj Nritya Mahotsav at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium showcasing talented dancers from rural Bengal.

1 min

Siliguri jute fair highlights export growth by 43 pc

The National Jute Board (NJB) has organised a seven-day jute fair at City Centre in Siliguri, inaugurated today by Dr Nupur Das, registrar (additional charge) of the University of North Bengal, along with other officials and educationists.

1 min

'Lotus' will bloom in West Bengal too: Amit Shah

Shah highlighted the success of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, stating that the scheme will also be implemented in West Bengal after BJP wins the Assembly elections in 2026

2 mins

Ruling on rape bid: SC pulls up Allahabad HC

Observations are unknown to tenets of law, show inhuman approach: SC

2 mins

Dhankharsays Executive, Legislature, Judiciary not pitted against each other

A day after holding a key all-party meeting on the issue of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Wednesday that the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary are not pitted against each other, but all the institutions in the country have to function in tandem.

2 mins

Mamata Pays Tribute to Mahatma; To Address Oxford's Kellogg College

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamul Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee stopped at Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament Square, Westminster, on Wednesday during her UK visit and placed flowers at its base as a mark of respect (photo).

1 min

India rejects report of United States commission on religious freedom

India on Wednesday rejected the 2025 Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), saying the panel continues its pattern of issuing biased and politically motivated assessments.

1 min

Cash discovery row: Delhi Police team visits Justice Yashwant Varma's residence

A team of Delhi Police, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahala, on Wednesday visited Justice Yashwant Varma's official residence as part of the investigation into the alleged discovery of wads of cash at his house.

1 min

'No way to run House': Rahul Gandhi attacks Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Speaker Om Birla of running the House in an \"undemocratic manner\" and denying him the opportunity to speak.

1 min

Containers to serve as make-shift homes for Howrah residents

People allegedly displaced by the either collapse or damage of homes near the Belgachia dumping ground would now be rehabilitated in containers.

1 min

Electrification of Panagarh military base siding by ER

Eastern Railway has announced the electrification of Panagarh Military Base Siding in Asansol Division with the 25,000 volts, 50 Hz AC overhead traction wire that would be energised on or after 28 March.

1 min

Kerala campaign to scale up domestic tourist footfall

As the summer holiday season is fast approaching, we will be unfolding new products before the domestic visitors by targeting school holidays and family audiences, said Kerala tourism minister PA Mohamed Riyas.

1 min

Bengal school job case: CBI collects handwriting specimens of accused

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the cash-for-school job case in West Bengal has collected the handwriting specimen of an accused middleman and six of his sub-agents to carry forward the investigation.

1 min

NFR Achieves Key Electrification Milestones for Greener Rail Transport

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is making steady progress in its electrification mission, aligning with Indian railways' goal of 100 per cent electrification, and net-zero carbon emissions.

1 min

Kalighat Skywalk: Hawkers get back their spaces after four years

In what comes as good news for the traders near Kalighat, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation handed over keys to the shop owners of refugee hawkers' corner today.

1 min

CBI Raids Multiple Locations in Kolkata in Connection With Betting App Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday launched raids and search operations in at least five places in and around Kolkata in connection with its ongoing investigation against the Mahadev Book betting app.

1 min

Kolkata-London direct flight: AAI, state officials meet

CM Banerjee had emphasised on the growing demand for direct flights from Kolkata to the UK capital following which state home secretary, senior airport officials and travel organisers met on Wednesday

1 min

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh moves privilege motion against Amit Shah

Congress Chief Whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday moved a Privilege notice against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the house \"for casting aspersions on Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party\".

1 min

'Made in Bihar' boots now part of Russian military gear

Once notorious for its high crime rates, Bihar is now making global headlines for a positive reason.

2 mins

Maharashtra Ministers Slam Kunal Kamra's 'Hum Honge Kangaal' Video, Warn of Legal Action

Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam has strongly condemned comedian Kunal Kamra's recent video after the controversial \"gaddar\" one that sparked a furore in political circles.

1 min

Cong's Pramod Tiwari alleges reduction in education budget; govt denies charge

Congress Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), Pramod Tiwari on Wednesday accused the Union government of reducing the education budget.

1 min

Sonia accuses BJP of 'non-fulfillment' of maternity entitlements under NFSA

The NFSA was passed by Parliamentin September 2013 under the leadership of then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh

1 min

Shinde Sena seeks Aaditya Thackeray's resignation as MLA in Maha assembly

Proceedings of the Maharashtra assembly had to be briefly suspended for ten minutes on Wednesday after Deputy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad demanded that Aaditya Thackeray of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena must resign as MLA on moral grounds, after Disha Salian's father Satish Salian sought fresh investigations into her death, naming Aaditya Thackeray as the main accused.

1 min

Violence by Left Wing Extremists has reduced in last 6 years: Government

Incidents of violence related to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) which were 501 in 2019 have reduced to 374 in 2024, registering a reduction of 25 per cent, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

1 min

AIADMK moves closer to BJP, boosting revival of ties for 2026 TN assembly poll

Moving closer to the saffron party, the AIADMK appears all set to make its re-entry into the BJP-led NDA ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election but AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) is fighting shy of admitting it on Wednesday.

2 mins

'Communists will enter 21st century only in 22nd century': Shashi Tharoor on private university bill delay

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday took a swipe at CPI-M-led LDF government in Kerala saying that Communist parties would eventually enter the 21st century, but it may only be in the 22nd century.

1 min

Waqf Bill protests rock Patna from streets to the House

The next sit-in protest is planned at Vijayawada on 29 March, to be followed by rallies in several cities

2 mins

PM Modi commends grassroots efforts in strengthening fight against Tuberculosis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his heartfelt appreciation to everyone contributing to India's ambitious mission of eradicating Tuberculosis.

1 min

Kashmir's Iconic Tulip Garden Opened for Visitors by CM Omar Abdullah

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday inaugurated the Tulip Show-2025 at the iconic Tulip Garden in Srinagar, marking the arrival of spring in Kashmir.

1 min

Punjab Govt Decision to Strengthen Mechanism to Check Illegal Mining

In a step towards checking illegal mining in the state, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday gave its nod for the enactment of the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units Act, 2025.

1 min

17 MSME services notified under Right to Service Act in Haryana

The Haryana government has brought 17 services under the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department within the ambit of the Right to Service Act, 2014, ensuring a defined timeline for their delivery.

1 min

Govt committed to N-energy expansion, says Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday reaffirmed in the Lok Sabha the government's commitment to nuclear energy expansion, safety protocols, and private sector participation in India's nuclear power sector.

1 min

FM Presents ₹2,36,080 Crore Punjab Budget for FY25-26

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announces Rs 500 cr to support farmers, cooperatives, & Gram Panchayats

2 mins

Elusive Truce

The recent talks between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia signal a shift in diplomatic T efforts to find a resolution to the war in Ukraine.

2 mins

Silencing Satire

The recent talks between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia signal a shift in diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the war in Ukraine.

2 mins

Dramatic breakthrough out of reach

The recent talks between US and Russian delegations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offer a glimmer of hope that progress is being made toward at least a limited ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

2 mins

Swadeshi strikes

A branch of the Printers' Union seems to have been set up at The Statesman Press by November 1905 with union activities reaching a high point by May-June 1906. A Special Branch report dated 7 September 1906 noted 'quite an epidemic of strikes among the printing presses in Calcutta...no less than six private presses and the Bengal Secretariat Press.' The Printers' Union set an example of working-class solidarity by sending a message of sympathy from their 23 June meeting to the Indian staff of the East Indian Railway loop line who had gone on strike

6 mins

'Un-uniting' Russia and China not easy

Is the U.S. angling for a repeat of the Sino-Russian split? In a 31 October 2024 interview with right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump argued that the United States under Joe Biden had, in his mind erroneously, pushed China and Russia together.

5 mins

Putin: A legacy cemented

History has shown that the Russian people can overcome any challenge if they are united. We are not afraid of difficulties; we will face them with strength and determination.

4 mins

Palestinians protest Hamas in rare public show of dissent in Gaza

Palestinians chanted against Hamas during anti-war protests in the Gaza Strip, according to witnesses and videos circulating online. It was a rare show of public anger against the militant group, which has long repressed dissent and still rules the territory 17 months into the war with Israel.

1 min

USA says it brokered deal to end fighting in the Black Sea in talks with Ukraine and Russia

The United States said Tuesday that it had reached a tentative agreement for Ukraine and Russia to stop fighting and ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea in separate talks with both sides, but many details were unresolved, and the Kremlin made the deal conditional on lifting some Western sanctions.

1 min

US Vice President JD Vance to Join His Wife in Greenland on Friday

Vice President JD Vance said that he's joining his wife on a Friday trip to Greenland, suggesting in an online video that global security is at stake.

1 min

Pope Francis' doctors considered stopping treatment after breathing crisis

Pope Francis' medical team briefly considered suspending treatment after a 28 February breathing crisis but instead decided on an aggressive course that put his organs at risk, the doctor coordinating the pope's hospital care said in an interview published Tuesday.

1 min

Trump Orders Election Reforms, Demands Proof of Citizenship

Voting rights groups have expressed concerns that the requirement could disenfranchise people

2 mins

Trump Downplays National Security Team Texting Military Plan on Signal as 'Minor Glitch'

President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the texting of sensitive plans for a military strike against Yemen's Houthis this month to a group chat that included a journalist, saying it was \"the only glitch in two months\" of his administration as Democratic lawmakers heaped criticism on the administration for handling highly sensitive information carelessly.

1 min

IMF Approves $1.3 Billion Loan Package for Pakistan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan for a $1.3 billion loan package for a period of 28 months to support the country's efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

1 min

Thai prime minister survives a challenge by rivals who say her father is pulling the strings

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra easily survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday, following a two-day debate in which rivals charged that she has mismanaged the country and let her father, a former prime minister, control her administration.

1 min

At Least 24 Dead as Wildfires Ravage Southern South Korea

Death tollincludedapilotwhod helicopter crashed during efforts to containablaze

2 mins

Chhattisgarh eyes IT boom as Bengaluru tech firms pledge ₹3,700 crore investment

Chhattisgarh is set to emerge as the IT hub of Central India, with major Bengaluru-based technology companies expressing keen interest in expanding their operations in the state.

2 mins

Sustainability in tourism has to be 'everybody's business': Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Tourism, addressed the sustainability challenges in the Tourism sector, and urged the industry to collaborate with the government.

1 min

L&T Bags Its Biggest Single Order Worth Above ₹15,000 Crore From QatarEnergy LNG

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) officially announced here on Wednesday through a regulatory filing that its Hydrocarbon Business (L&T Energy Hydrocarbon – LTEH) has received an \"ultra mega offshore contract\" for the North Field Production Sustainability Offshore Compression Project (NFPS COMP 4) from QatarEnergy LNG.

1 min

Rajya Sabha Approves Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 by Voice Vote

Parliament on Wednesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with the Rajya Sabha approving it by a voice vote.

1 min

12th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions to Begin on Thursday

The Ministry of Coal is poised to launch the 12th round of commercial coal mine auctions on Thursday, marking another significant step towards boosting domestic coal production.

1 min

Market ends 7-day rally as all sectors struggle

Sensex closed with a loss of 729 points, or 0.93 percent, at 77,288.50, while the Nifty 50 settled 182 points, or 0.77 percent, lower at 23,486.85

2 mins

Measures taken to combat money laundering should not stifle investments: RBI Governor

Reserve Bank of India governor Sanjay Malhotra asserted that the measures taken to combat money laundering should not be overzealous which can stifle legitimate activities and investments.

1 min

MSMEs most affected by regulations, cannot exist in isolation: NITI Aayog CEO

BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, said that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are most affected by regulations and MSMEs cannot exist in isolation and that their challenges must be tackled in clusters and groups.

1 min

Government pushes for gender-friendly spaces in public places and workplaces

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has urged various government ministries, departments, and state administrations to establish feeding rooms and changing rooms for women and children at public places.

2 mins

SP Not Questioning Valour, Patriotism of Raja Rana Sanga

Amid raging controversy over his party MP Ramji Lal Suman's remarks on Rajput ruler Rana Sanga, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party believes in social justice and establishment of an equilibrium society.

1 min

Chhatrapati Shivaji Defines Agra's Legacy, Says CM Yogi

Yogi also asserted that Agra's identity is rooted in Brajbhoomi, Vrindavan Bihari Lal & Radha Rani

2 mins

Exploring different dynamics of society

The newly released book \"Alley of Deception\" by Jiyyad Shahul has captured the attention of fiction lovers with its deeply gripping narrative.

3 mins

An eclectic collage of time, space and stylistic preferences

In Bruce King's Modern Indian Poetry in English published by OUP in 2001, we find King lamenting the relative neglect of Indian Poetry in English by critics, foreign readers and intellectuals for its obvious detachment from the cultural movements that led to national movements.

5 mins

Bayern to miss injured Davies, Dayot

Bayern Munich have been left without two of their top defenders after Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano both picked up serious injuries on international duty.

1 min

Miami Open: Djokovic beats Musetti to reach quarterfinals

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic has entered the quarterfinals of the ATP Miami Open with a 6-2, 6-2 win against 15th seed Lorenzo Musetti on Wednesday (IST).

1 min

Argentina Seal FIFA WC 2026 Spot After Bolivia's Draw With Uruguay

Reigning champions gearing up to defend their title after earning ticket to the 'greatest show on earth'

2 mins

Rise of Indian table tennis leading to emergence of sporting icons

There is something or a lot of things being done right in India today when it comes to sports administration—as sporting achievements in a diverse array of sports disciplines like say Table Tennis at the global level show, with an almost podium level finish at the Olympics in one of the fastest racket sports perhaps second only to squash.

5 mins

ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya remains top T20I all-rounder

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya retained his No. 1 T20I all-rounder position, whereas Abhishek Sharma, No.2 T20I batter, and Varun Chakravarthy, No.2 T20I bowler, too claimed their spot in the latest ICC Men's T20I rankings.

1 min

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The Statesman Kolkata Newspaper Description:

The Statesman Kolkata is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by The Statesman Net Pvt Ltd in Kolkata, India. It was founded in 1875 and is one of the oldest and most respected newspapers in India. The newspaper is known for its in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and editorial independence.

The Statesman Kolkata covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, economy, society, culture, and sports. It also has a strong focus on local news and events. The newspaper is known for its critical and independent reporting on the government and the powerful.

The Statesman Kolkata is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest news and developments in India, and especially in West Bengal. It is also a great way to get in-depth analysis and commentary on current affairs.