The Statesman Kolkata - February 17, 2025

In this issue

February 17, 2025

NDLS Stampede Toll 18, Mostly Women and Kids

Railways sets up two-member committee to investigate tragedy

1 min

Elon Musk-led DOGE Cancels USD 22 Million Intended for 'Voter Turnout in India'; BJP Targets Congress

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has announced the cancellation of a $22 million funding intended for \"voter turnout in India\" on Saturday (local time).

2 mins

Mamata Banerjee Calls For Better Planning For Mahakumbh Pilgrims

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday emphasised the need for better planning and management for pilgrims, as she expressed her condolences over the loss of 18 lives in a tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday night.

1 min

Green vs. Growth: Mahananda Wildlife ESZ expansion sparks clash between conservation and tea tourism

The draft notification for expanding the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in September 2024, has sparked significant debate.

1 min

Juggling between ministries... TMC hits out at Railway Minister over Delhi stampede

Trinamul Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Sunday took a dig at Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, citing his colleague Abhishek Banerjee's speech in Lok Sabha, where the latter accused Vaishnaw of \"juggling\" between three ministries.

2 mins

Cartoon on Modi: Popular Tamil magazine Vikatan website blocked

Within a day of the Tamil Nadu BJP petitioning L Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, seeking action against the popular magazine Vikatan for what it called an offensive cartoon against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on its cover, the magazine's website was blocked.

2 mins

Military exercise 'Jal-Thal-Raksha 2025' organised at Bet Dwarka to secure islands, combat illegal encroachment

To strengthen security in Dwarka and its surrounding islands, particularly in response to recent illegal encroachments, a military exercise titled 'Jal-Thal-Raksha 2025' was organised at Bet Dwarka.

1 min

Oppn blames Railways for NDLS stampede

Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders slam Railways' mismanagement, accuse govt of trying to hide the truth about the deaths in the tragedy

5 mins

Gujarat Local Body Elections Underway, BJP Wins 215 Seats Unopposed

Voting for the Gujarat local body elections began at 7 a.m. on Sunday and will continue until 6 p.m., with counting scheduled for Tuesday.

1 min

Delays Persist

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again turned to tariffs as a key tool in reshaping America's trade relationships.

2 mins

Waterways to Success

Inland waterways are one of the most environmentally-sustainable modes of transport. They emit 25 to 60 per cent less CO2 per tonne-kilometre than road or rail. Initiatives aimed at encouraging electric ferry services and cargo vessels harmonize the priorities of economic growth with the imperatives of environment protection. Transporting one tonne of cargo over one kilometre costs Rs 1.36 via water, compared to Rs 2.50 by rail and Rs 3.50 by road. This is why there is a push across the country to leverage these advantages.

5 mins

Erasing all traces of Awami League

On February 5, six months after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in Bangladesh, a mob brought down Dhanmondi 32, the residence of Bangladesh's independence icon and Hasina's father, the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

4 mins

Bicycles for one lakh more students of recognised pvt schools in Jharkhand

In a significant step towards educational parity, Jharkhand’s Welfare Department is set to extend its free bicycle scheme to eighth-grade students of recognised private schools. With the expansion, an additional one lakh students will benefit, pushing the total number of recipients around five lakh.

1 min

Act now for a greener earth, don't wait for catastrophe: CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Climate Conference on Faith and Climate Change at the Prayagraj Mahakumbh on Sunday.

2 mins

Mahakumbh showcases vibrancy of Sanatan civilisation & timeless traditions: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took a sacred dip in the holy Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Sunday, describing it as a privilege to be part of Mahakumbh 2025.

1 min

Government to set up national cooperative university

The Government of India is setting up a national cooperative university and a bill for the purpose will be tabled before the Lok Sabha in the Budget Session of Parliament.

1 min

Akhilesh, Mayawati condole stampede deaths at New Delhi Railway Stations

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, calling the painful death of devotees of Mahakumbh in Delhi is heartbreaking, demanded an adequate compensation for the kin of every deceased Mahakumb pilgrim anywhere in the country .

1 min

Govt will outline complete political roadmap for peace in Manipur: Ten tribal MLAS

After many tribal organisations of Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities, ten Manipur tribal MLAs, who have also been demanding separate administrations or a Union Territory with the legislature for the tribals in the state, on Sunday expressed hope that the Centre would lay out a comprehensive political roadmap for peace.

1 min

Politics heats up as BJP and Cong warn each other of legal battle

Congress says Assam CM Sarmarunning character assassination campaign against MP Gaurav Gogoi

2 mins

Flooding in US Southeast leaves 2 dead while snow, ice and wind cause winter misery elsewhere

Much of the U.S. faced another round of biting winter weather on Sunday, with torrential rains causing intense flooding in Kentucky and resulting in at least two deaths.

1 min

Our next generation will carry forward our 100-year legacy and make it a global leader, an institute of trust

With a 100-year legacy, this home-grown transnational company from Bengal is going from strength to strength, rolling out new products, new brands and exploring new territories.

6 mins

Market valuation of 8 of top 10 most valued firms erode ₹2 trillion last week

The combined market valuation of eight of the 10 most valued domestic firms eroded by Rs 2 trillion last week.

1 min

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