The Statesman Kolkata - March 11, 2025

In this issue

March 11, 2025

Political slugfest over Ranya Rao case

The Karnataka gold smuggling case involving popular actress Ranya Rao has paved way for a full-blown political war between the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP with accusations and counter-accusations heating up the political temperature.

2 mins

India's Agricultural Production Surges to Record High in 2024-25

India has achieved a record production of rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean during 2024-25, according to the second advance estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare on Monday.

2 mins

CM shares joy over Centre's praise for Bengal's MSME sector

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her happiness over the annual survey of unincorporated sector enterprises, which has listed West Bengal at the top for its wonderful performance in the MSME sector.

1 min

ED raids former Chh'garh CM Bhupesh Baghel in ₹2,100 crore liquor scam

In a massive operation, the Enforcement Directorate on Monday raided 14 locations linked to former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, his son Chaitanya Baghel, and their associates in connection with a Rs 2,100 crore liquor scam allegedly perpetrated during Baghel's tenure (2019-2022).

1 min

Centre not imposing any language anywhere: Pradhan

Describing the opposition to the three-language formula a \"political stand\", Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said the Centre is open to discussing the issue despite Tamil Nadu taking a U-turn just before signing a MoU for the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.

1 min

Language, Delimitation Row Causes Uproar in Both Houses

Opposition Members Stage a Walkout from the RS Over the Issue of Delimitation and NEP

2 mins

School seminar discusses gender equality, societal change

The internal complaints committee (ICC) and the internal quality assurance cell (IQAC) of Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya jointly organised a seminar recently to mark International Women's Day.

1 min

State bus catches fire in Jalpaiguri, four injured

A state-run bus caught fire while on the road in Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri district, today, injuring four people, including the driver, as they rushed to evacuate passengers.

1 min

Gorkha Community Backs Prakash Gurung as IGJF, Moves HC for Justice

Ajoy Edwards assured them of the party's unwavering support and expressed faith in the judiciary system

2 mins

NFR Announces 15 Pairs of Special Trains for Holi

To cater to increased passenger demand during Holi, NF Railway will operate 15 pairs of special trains.

1 min

Damaged school building poses life threat to students, teachers

More than 120 students of Tilak Chowk Routh Primary School at Arandi No. 2 gram panchayat in Arambagh are continuously facing life-threatening conditions, as the school building is badly damaged and on the verge of total collapse.

1 min

Family Faces Threats in App Cab Driver Murder Case, Cong Seeks CM's Intervention

Five days have passed since the brutal murder of app cab driver Jayanta Sen in Bijoygarh, under Jadavpur Police Station's jurisdiction, yet no arrests have been made.

2 mins

Rajiv and Prabir stand united with Serampore MP

A few of the TMC MLAs during the last 2021 elections then shifted to BJP; among them, the most notable faces were Rajiv Banerjee from Domjur and Uttarpara MLA Prabir Ghosal.

1 min

Fresh Petition in Calcutta HC Over Police Excesses

A fresh petition at a division Bench of the Calcutta High Court was filed on Monday alleging police excesses against the students of Kolkata's iconic Jadavpur University (JU) in the 1 March ruckus case.

1 min

Police Enter Jadavpur Varsity as Stalemate Continues

A meeting to resolve the stalemate on campus, which was supposed to be held in the morning was delayed till the evening as the students protested the presence of Prof Mishra

2 mins

Mamata hails elevation of Calcutta HC's Justice Joymalya Bagchi to apex court

Acting swiftly on the recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium, the Centre on Monday cleared the appointment of Justice Joymalya Bagchi to the apex court.

1 min

Waqf Amendment Bill: Muslim bodies under Personal Law Board protest

Members of Muslim community, under various organisations, led by the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in West Bengal staged their protest against the Centre's Waqf Amendment Bill demanding active participation of TMC MPs against it during the voting process.

1 min

BJP MLA joins TMC, setback for Suvendu in Haldia

The MLA was welcomed by state minister Aroop Biswas, who handed over the party flag to her

2 mins

Kharge, Rahul demand discussion in Parliament on voters' list issue

Rahul says the discussion is very important to protect the values of democracy and the Constitution

2 mins

Ajit Pawar's ₹7.20-lakh crore Maha Budget allocates ₹36,000-cr for Ladki Bahin scheme

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar tabled a Rs 7.20-lakh crore Maharashtra Budget for fiscal year 2025-26 in the state assembly on Monday, allocating Rs 36,000 crore to implement the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which was mentioned in its election poll manifesto.

2 mins

Benefits of education, technology must reach villages: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday emphasised that benefits of education and technology must reach villages for the country's balanced and sustainable development.

1 min

JMM prepares to oppose delimitation draft

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced its opposition to the proposed Lok Sabha delimitation's current draft, scheduled to take effect after 2026.

1 min

First rear fuselage for LCA Mk1A handed over to HAL

In a significant stride towards achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the first rear fuselage for the light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Private Ltd, was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at HAL's Aircraft Division in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

1 min

Micro minority community of Codavas demands security for actress Rashmika Mandana

In Karnataka, the national crush Rashmika Mandana, the Coorg-born actress belonging to the micro-minority, Codavas has today become the rallying point for this community that sees a threat to her from a Congress MLA for refusing to attend the Bengaluru International Film festival recently as symbolic of the oppression of the majority Kannada community let loose on them.

1 min

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy is BJP's covert, says KTR

BRS working president KT Rama Rao today alleged that Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy was a \"BJP covert\" in Congress a day after Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi remarked that many Gujarat Congress leaders were colluding with the BJP.

1 min

Death sentence to hired killer over honour killing in Telangana

A special court in Nalgonda on Monday awarded capital punishment to the hired killer Subhash Sharma, convicted in the sensational case of the honour killing of Dalit youth at the Miryalaguda town of Telangana on 14 September 2018.

1 min

Kannada Actress Sent to 15-Day DRI Custody in Gold Smuggling Case

Kannada actress Ranya Rao and her business partner Tarun Raju have been arrested in the gold smuggling case, and sent to DRI custody for 15 and five days, respectively, even as the case continues to ruffle political feathers.

1 min

Stalin Hits Back at Union Minister Pradhan on NEP, Calls Him 'Arrogant'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK party chief MK Stalin on Monday lashed out at Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who during Lok Sabha proceedings today termed the State government as \"dishonest\" and \"ruining\" the future of students.

1 min

Days after three bodies found, two teenagers go missing in J-K's Kathua

Days after bodies of three men were found in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, two teenagers -- Deenu (15) and his nephew Rehmat Ali (12) -- have gone missing from Rajbagh area of the district, police said on Monday.

1 min

Sunanda Sharma case: Music producer Pushpinder Dhaliwal arrested

Following strong intervention of the Punjab State Women Commission, the Punjab Police have arrested music producer Pushpinder Dhaliwal, also known as Pinky Dhaliwal, in the case filed by renowned singer and actress Sunanda Sharma, said an official statement issued on Monday.

1 min

Union Minister Jitendra Singh Discusses India's Pandemic Preparedness for Future

Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Monday underlined the nation's resolve that India's deep Research and Development capacities, and the industrial ecosystem will be further strengthened to be ready to respond to any future pandemic.

1 min

Himachal CM announces closure of educational institutions with low-enrollment

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that institutions with low student enrollment or inadequate educational standards would be closed from the next academic session.

2 mins

Why Was Dy CM Stopped From Visiting Families Of Three Killed In Kathua?

However, Leader of opposition and BJP MLA, Sunil Sharma was permitted to visit the area, Omar said

2 mins

Jobs Rebalance

The latest US employment data offers a nuanced picture of the country's labour market, reflecting both stability and shifting economic trends. February saw a net gain of 151,000 jobs, with unemployment ticking up slightly to 4.1 per cent.

2 mins

Defining Triumph

In Dubai's glittering night, India etched another historic moment into its cricketing legacy. The victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final was more than a win; it was a defining statement about where Indian cricket stands in the modern era.

2 mins

Proactive stance on HFMD

The disease isn't fatal and is self-limiting within 7-10 days.

2 mins

Suspending Reason

Data from the National Crime Records Bureau provides a grim picture of superstition-related crimes in India. Over the past decade, more than a hundred reported cases of human sacrifices were linked to superstitious practices. In 2022 alone, eight deaths were officially attributed to human sacrifices, while 85 were due to witchcraft-related violence. These numbers, however, are likely underreported, as many cases go unnoticed due to fear, societal pressures, or lack of legal awareness

5 mins

Zelenskyy flip leaves Europe in the cold

Post the disaster at the White House, Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London to a warm welcome and support from European nations.

4 mins

Old order is making way for the new

Those gasps, splutters and screams you're hearing are the sounds of the old dying and the new being born right in front of our eyes, thanks to the ungentle midwifery of His Orange Eminence Donald Trump, the acquisitive emperor of sub-Canadian America.

3 mins

North Korea Fires Several Ballistic Missiles After the USA and South Korea Began Military Drills

North Korea fired several ballistic missiles into the sea Monday, South Korea's military said, hours after South Korean and American troops kicked off their large annual combined drills, which the North views as an invasion rehearsal.

1 min

Tokyo Was Filled With Charred Corpses After US Firebombing 80 Years Ago, Survivors Want Compensation

More than 1,000,000 people were killed in a single night 80 years ago Monday in the American firebombing of Tokyo, the Japanese capital.

3 mins

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Meets Ruling Party Leadership Day After Release From Jail

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with the leadership of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) at his residence after he was released from detention, party officials said on Monday.

1 min

Ex-central banker Carney's next investment: Canada's future

Canada's next prime minister has already helped run two Group of Seven economies in crisis and now will try to steer Canada through a looming trade war brought by American President Donald Trump, a threat of annexation and an expected federal election.

2 mins

Israel cuts off electricity supply to Gaza

Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory.

1 min

Cyclone Alfred aftermath: Floods continue in Australia's Queensland, New South Wales

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continued to impact Australia's states of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) on Monday with floods and heavy rainfalls, but meteorological authorities forecast the situation will gradually ease from today.

1 min

Hezbollah Vows to End Israeli Presence in Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem reaffirmed that the group will not permit any Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, emphasizing Hezbollah's enduring strength and commitment to Lebanon's defense.

1 min

Russia Expels Two British Diplomats on Charges of Espionage

Russia on Monday declared that the Second Secretary of the British Embassy in Moscow and the spouse of another British diplomat have been stripped of accreditation for providing false information about themselves and based on evidence of their intelligence and covert activities.

1 min

US-Ukraine diplomacy to take centre stage in Saudi

American and Ukrainian officials will meet after the Oval Office meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump and JD Vance

2 mins

Over 30 cr unorganised workers registered on e-Shram portal

Over 30.68 crore unorganised workers have already registered on e-Shram portal, with more than half of them being female at 53.68%, as on March 3, 2025, according to a written reply by the Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shobha Karandlaje.

1 min

Locks and Architectural Solutions aims to achieve ₹ 2,500 cr in revenue by 2028

Locks and Architectural Solutions, a business unit of the Godrej Enterprises Group, has announced that it is targeting to achieve Rs 2,500 crore in revenue by 2028, backed by sustained investments in R&D, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.

1 min

Commercial vehicle industry to grow 3-5 pc YoY in wholesale volumes for FY26

Indian commercial vehicle (CV) industry is gearing up for a modest recovery, with ICRA forecasting a 3-5% year-on-year growth in wholesale volumes for Financial Year 2026.

1 min

Govt set to appoint new Insurance Regulatory chief, invites applications

The tenure of the current Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (Irdai) chairperson, Debasish Panda, is set to end on March 13, and the Ministry of Finance has invited applications for the post.

1 min

Fitch removes Adani Energy from 'Rating Watch Negative' list, hails long-term revenue visibility

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Adani Energy Solutions Limited's (AESL) long-term foreign and local-currency issuer default ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB-', removing the company from 'Rating Watch Negative' list.

1 min

Government to further reduce dependency on imported crude oil, promote domestic production

The government has taken various measures to reduce the dependency on imported crude oil and to promote domestic production of oil and gas, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

1 min

Market ends volatile session in the red

Nifty Oil and Gas index plunged the most at 1.9 pc followed by PSU Banks at 1.8 percent

2 mins

GRIDCON 2025 power summit to witness 150 exhibition cos, 30 country representatives

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal inaugurated the International Conference cum Exhibition titled GRIDCON 2025.

1 min

'UP govt to revise land circle rates across multiple districts including Lucknow soon'

The Yogi Adityanath government, striving to make Uttar Pradesh a leading state, is set to revise land circle rates in multiple districts, including Lucknow.

1 min

UP govt launches new policy to revolutionise rural sanitation

The Uttar Pradesh Government has introduced a comprehensive new policy to enhance rural sanitation across the state significantly.

2 mins

Security forces intensify crackdown on militants in Manipur, 12 arrested from multiple insurgent groups

Security forces in Manipur have intensified their crackdown on militancy, apprehending 12 militants belonging to various banned insurgent groups over the past two days, according to police reports on Monday.

1 min

Uttar Pradesh government hikes MSP on wheat by ₹150

The Uttar Pradesh government has hiked the maximum support price of wheat by Rs 150 per quintal at par with the Centre's price in 2025-26.

1 min

Assam Budget 2025: Focus on tax relief, industrial growth, and human-wildlife harmony

Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented the much-anticipated budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the state assembly on Monday.

1 min

We have created huge employment opportunities in Tripura, says CM

BJP came to power in Tripura in 2018 by ending 25 years of CPI(M)-headed Left Front rule

3 mins

Classes Internationales: Gateway to explore French education

The French Embassy in India and Campus France have come up with the second edition of Classes Internationales, a groundbreaking initiative unveiled by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Jaipur in January 2024 where he announced: \"30,000 Indian students in France in 2030. It's a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen\".

2 mins

Managing financial uncertainty during economic downturns

Education is the foundation of economic growth and social progress, yet it remains highly vulnerable to financial uncertainty during economic downturns.

3 mins

A 'new hope': Nayanta University opens door in 2025

Students across India will have a new multidisciplinary institution as Nayanta University prepares to begin its academic journey in August 2025.

2 mins

British Council Library unveils new research section

Topping India's science and research terrain and ranking 84th globally as per Nature Index 2024, Kolkata now has another crowning achievement with The British Council, the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, announcing the launch of a research and publication section at its Kolkata library.

1 min

Struggling Mumbai City FC take on Bengaluru with ISL playoffs in sight

Currently at the seventh spot on the table, former champions need just one point to finish the league in the top six

2 mins

Jadeja puts retirement rumours to rest with social media message

Seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shut down the rumours over his potential retirement after India scripted a famous Champions Trophy victory by outwitting New Zealand with a four-wicket win in the final in Dubai.

1 min

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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.