The Statesman Kolkata - March 17, 2025

In this issue

March 17, 2025

Pakistan Met Every Effort For Peace With Hostility: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opens up during three-hour podcast with Lex Fridman

2 mins

Modi, New Zealand PM to jointly open Raisina Dialogue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon will jointly inaugurate the tenth edition of Raisina Dialogue, India's premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, to be held here from 17-19 March.

1 min

Chinese Shipyard Completes Second Submarine for Ally Pak

A Chinese shipyard has completed a second submarine for the Pakistan navy, further strengthening military ties between the two countries.

1 min

NSA Doval Meets US DNI Tulsi Gabbard

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, who is America's Director of National Intelligence (DNI) here in New Delhi on Sunday.

1 min

Ministry of Home Affairs seeks umbrella probe in cases of illegal Bangladeshi nationals

The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought an umbrella probe in the cases of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants staying in the country.

1 min

India to host ASEAN defence ministers' meet on counter-terrorism on 19 March

The 14th meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism will be held in New Delhi on March 19-20.

1 min

Rajouri attack mastermind LeT terrorist Abu Qatal, armed guard shot dead in Pakistan

Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) terrorist Abu Qatal, chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the January 2023 Rajouri attacks, has been shot dead in Pakistan after an assailant opened fire on his vehicle on the Mangla-Jhelum Road, local media reported on Sunday.

1 min

Sudden hailstorm hits Bishnupur blocks, threatens crops

The Bishnupur blocks in Bankura experienced a sudden hailstorm this evening, raising concerns about severe damage to potato crops and mango farms in the region.

1 min

Police, TMC responsible for Birbhum clash: BJP's RS member

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP and Spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya hit out at the Trinamul Congress over a clash in Birbhum during Holi celebrations and held the police and state government responsible for the violence.

1 min

DOAE, Rotary in collaborative approach for human welfare

Responsible social organisations like Rotary should rise to the occasion, come forward and assist in facilitating these technology transfers to corporations capable of scaling up innovations, thereby enhancing human welfare.

1 min

Shootout in front of Trinamul MLA's residence in Malda: one injured

A man was injured in a shootout in front of Trinamul Congress legislator Sabitri Mitra's residence in English Bazar of West Bengal's Malda district.

1 min

Festive cheer turns sour: Holi celebrations marred by violence

In Siliguri and Malda, Holi festivities were overshadowed by a series of violent incidents

1 min

Significant changes made by the BJP in organisational ranks in Asansol and Purulia districts ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls

In a major reshuffle of its organisational structure and a desperate bid to perform well in next year's assembly polls, the state BJP has appointed a hardcore Hindutva leader to the Asansol District Committee and a Kurmi leader to the Purulia District Committee to attract voters.

1 min

Bloodied body of farmer found in agricultural land in Bhangar

The bloodied body of a man was recovered from farmland in Bhangar last night.

1 min

Bengal school job case: Court's permission for Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya to turn approver comes with condition

The approval from a special court in Kolkata allowing Partha Chatterjee's son-in-law Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya to turn \"approver\" in the cash-for-school job case in West Bengal has come with a significant condition.

1 min

STAC Streamlines Operations, Ensures Faster Payments, and Reinforces Commitment to Excellence

The Siliguri Tea Auction Committee (STAC), one of India's most efficient and well-organised tea auction centres since 1976, has introduced a streamlined auction schedule designed to enhance operational efficiency, improve cash flow, and ensure faster turnaround times for both buyers and sellers.

1 min

BJP to Form RSS-backed political analysis team for 2026 Bengal elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal is reportedly establishing a professional political analysis team, similar to Prashant Kishor's I-PAC, to bolster its electoral strategy for the 2026 Assembly elections.

2 mins

SC to hear on Monday suo motu RG Kar doctor rape-murder case

CBI is expected to file its supplementary charge sheet at a special court in Kolkata this month

3 mins

Osmania University bans protests, and then a climbdown

Osmania University, once the hotbed of students' politics and agitations in Telangana, prohibited the staging of protests and sit-in demonstrations on the campus and those of its constituent colleges and administrative buildings, leading to a massive uproar. Union minister for mines and BJP state president G Kishan Reddy and BRS working president KT Rama Rao (photo) slammed the Congress government for the move.

1 min

Cryo Upper Stage for LVM3 flagged off to Sriharikota for US Blue Bird mission

The Cryogenic Upper Stage engine of ISRO's LVM3 launch vehicle was flagged off to SHAR Range, Sriharikota, on Saturday for the upcoming launch of US satellite Blue Bird-2 that would enable individuals to make calls using smartphones from space.

1 min

58-Foot Statue of Potti Sriramulu to Be Installed in Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday announced that a 58-foot statue of Potti Sriramulu will be installed in the state capital Amaravati, in honour of his 58-day-long hunger strike for the creation of Andhra State.

1 min

Karnataka Assembly Session to Be Stormy Over Muslim Quota Issue

The Congress government's decision to provide a four percent quota to the Muslim community in tenders is likely to create a furore during the ongoing budget session in both Houses of the state legislature.

1 min

Kerala CM to participate in Stalin's meet on delimitation

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will participate in a conference being organised by his Tamil Nadu counterpart and DMK supremo M K Stalin in Chennai against the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

1 min

Kishan Reddy condemns DMK's divisive politics

Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and the DMK party for engaging in divisive politics over the past two months.

1 min

DMK Govt Failed to Act Against Mineral Smuggling: TN BJP Chief Annamalai

Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of failing to act against mineral smuggling in the state.

1 min

Well-directed, specific criticism plays crucial role in effective policy making

Expressing concern over the decline of constructive criticism in public discourse, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that meaningful debate is being replaced by baseless allegations made without research or facts.

2 mins

Tej Pratap's bodyguard replaced after video sparked political furore in Bihar

RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav's instruction to a police constable in uniform, who was deputed as his bodyguard, to dance and warning that he would be suspended if he refused, sparked political furore in Bihar on Saturday.

1 min

Shocking Attacks on Cops Raise Questions Over Bihar Govt's Good Governance Claim

After Araria, Munger, and Madhubani, anti-social elements have now fearlessly attacked police officers in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

1 min

In a major outreach before polls, Bihar Congress launches state-wide yatra

The Congress launched its state-wide 'Palaayan Roko, Naukari Do' (Stop Migration, Give Job) padyatra on Sunday from the Gandhi Ashram in Bhitiharwa in West Champaran district of Bihar, which is considered a major outreach initiative aimed at addressing unemployment and migration issues before the state elections.

1 min

Mewar royal Arvind Singh passes away in Udaipur

The scion of the erstwhile Mewar royal family, Arvind Singh Mewar, passed away at the City Palace here early Sunday morning.

1 min

ASI killed in attack by tribals in MP

Incident took place after Kol tribals abducted and killed a man over suspicion of a staged accident

2 mins

Strategic Prudence

As India and the United States revisit bilateral trade ties, the Modi government finds itself in a complex negotiation with President Donald Trump's administration.

2 mins

Inflation Eases

India's retail inflation slipping below 4 per cent in February signals a crucial inflection point for the economy.

2 mins

Hope's 'Sweet Dreams' an update to 'Daydream'

J-Hope of BTS released the new single \"Sweet Dreams,\" featuring Miguel, on Friday.

3 mins

New World Order

Analysts argue that the Trump administration's \"America First\" moves, and the dismantling of USAID, and the exits from WHO, IMO and Paris agreement have raised concerns that the US is ceding global influence to its rivals. History reveals that the US is not a reliable ally as it abandons its partners whenever it wishes. Recent developments in Ukraine are a case in point. Earlier it had ditched Canada and Mexico. The US also betrayed Afghanistan and Pakistan, who were its allies a decade ago. India must recall the political history of the US before considering it as a trusted ally

6 mins

How the Unscrupulous Win

Let us say you went on a holiday to a beach and stayed in a hotel suggested by a friend.

3 mins

The forgotten chemist

Many believe that \"Make in India\" is a new concept. But in reality, its roots go back to the Swadeshi Movement during the colonial era.

5 mins

Media's role and relevance cannot be diminished even in changing times: Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasised that the media has long been recognised as the fourth pillar of democracy, playing a crucial role as its vigilant watchdog.

1 min

Uttar Pradesh government to begin wheat procurement for Rabi season from today

The wheat procurement by the Uttar Pradesh government for the Rabi marketing season 2025-26 will begin from tomorrow and continue until June 15 across 6,500 procurement centres.

1 min

Yogi Govt's Crackdown: 222 Notorious Criminals Killed; 8,118 Injured in Police Encounters

Once infamous for crime, riots, and lawlessness, Uttar Pradesh has undergone a remarkable transformation.

2 mins

UP BJP Announces Presidents for 72 District Units

The Uttar Pradesh BJP on Sunday announced the district and city presidents for 72 district units, while postponing the appointments in 28 districts.

1 min

No Mercy for Drug Cartels: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that there will be no mercy for drug cartels.

1 min

Whitewashing of outer walls of Sambhal Jama Masjid begins

On the orders of the Allahabad High Court, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the presence of a mosque team commenced the whitewashing and painting of the outer walls of Jama Masjid here from Sunday morning.

1 min

Centre to fully implement BTR peace accord in 2 years: Shah

Shah highlighted the progress and development the region has made since the signing of the peace accord

2 mins

Implement NEP fully to set a model for others: CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged educational institutions to set a benchmark at the state and national levels by fully implementing the National Education Policy (NEP).

1 min

Himanta and Jairam Ramesh spat over Cong leader's arrest in Assam

A social media war broke out between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh after the arrest of his party colleague in Assam over a social media post.

1 min

Trump Invokes 18th Century Law to Speed Deportations, Judge Stalls It Hours Later

A federal judge barred the Trump administration Saturday from carrying out deportations under a sweeping 18th-century law that the president invoked hours earlier to speed removal of Venezuelan gang members from the United States.

1 min

Suicide Car Bombing Kills 5 Security Personnel in Southwestern Pakistan

QUETTA, 16 MARCH

1 min

Afghans Face Deportation From Pak, Iran

As forced deportation and illegal detention of Afghan refugees continues, data reveals that Iran and Pakistan deported 674 Afghan migrant families between 8 March and 14 March.

1 min

Trump Orders Strikes on Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels in Yemen and Issues New Warning

President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on the Houthi-held areas in Yemen on Saturday, promising to use \"overwhelming lethal force\" until the Iran-backed rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor.

1 min

NASA's Stuck Astronauts Welcome Their Newly Arrived Replacements to the Space Station

Just over a day after blasting off, a SpaceX crew capsule arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday, delivering the replacements for NASA's two stuck astronauts.

1 min

51 Dead, Over 100 Injured in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

This is the worst tragedy to befall the nation of less than 2 million people in recent memory

2 mins

Tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms kill at least 32 across USA

Violent tornadoes and high winds decimated homes, wiped out schools and toppled semitractor-trailers as a monster storm that killed at least 32 people ripped its way across the central and southern USA.

1 min

Puri Priest Puts Up 300-Room Luxury Resort at Puri Entailing ₹200 Crore

Call it adding a dash of spirituality to luxury or something else! Meridian Mist Hotel & Resort, owned by Daitapati Shri Bhabani Das Maharaj, one of the top priests of Jagannath Temple, Puri, along with his family (although it is getting diluted through project membership programme) has now come up with a new luxury resort in Puri christened as Jagannatham.

1 min

Mcap of 5 of top 10 most-valued firms declines by ₹93,357.52 cr last week

The combined market capitalisation of five of the top 10 most valued firms declined by Rs 93,357.52 crore last week, data with the depositories said.

1 min

India's Forex Reserves See Sharpest Rise in 2 Years

After the $10 billion forex swap undertaken by the central bank on 28 February, when it bought dollars against rupee to inject liquidity in the system, the country's foreign exchange reserves saw a huge $15.267 billion spike during the week ended 7 March.

1 min

Central Banks, Gold ETFs to Fuel Strong Demand for Yellow Metal in 2025: Report

Central banks and Gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) investors will continue to be the key drivers of gold demand in 2025, as per a report.

1 min

WPI, Fed rate and FIIs: Key market triggers next week

Between 10-13 March, Nifty fell 147.50 points, or 0.65 percent, to 22,397.20 and Sensex fell 511.18 points, or 0.69 percent, to 73,828.91

1 min

Foreign Investors Withdraw ₹30,015 Crore in March

Foreign investors withdrew a little over Rs 30,000 crore in the first fortnight of the month amid escalation in global trade tensions.

1 min

AI's role in modern markets could lead to collusion, says CCI chief

Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairperson Ravneet Kaur said that the Artificial intelligence (AI) is a driving force in modern markets that also has the potential to enable collusion, including algorithmic discrimination under the garb of dynamic pricing.

1 min

PM Modi Applauds Reserve Bank of India for Winning Digital Transformation Award 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday applauded the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for winning the Digital Transformation Award 2025.

1 min

Tourist entry fee of Rs 50 per person imposed in Sikkim

The entry fee is with effect from March 2025, a notification said.

1 min

Empowering PC safeguard north media's interest

The newspaper industry in northeast India (NE) continues to face enormous troubles in its survival.

4 mins

NEP Integrates Sports into Formal Curriculum: MoS Jayant Chaudhary

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and MoS for Education Jayant Chaudhary on Saturday highlighted that the National Education Policy 2020 is integrating sports into the formal curriculum, enabling the country to build a strong sports ecosystem.

1 min

Avani shoots 65 to finish Tied-13th in Australia

Avani Prashanth shot a superb 5-under 65 in the final round of the Australian Women's Classic and registered a solid Top-15 finish in her maiden season on the Ladies European Tour.

1 min

F1: McLaren's Norris wins Australian GP

McLaren's Lando Norris held off defending champion Max Verstappen to win during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, which featured mixed weather conditions, multiple crashes, safety cars, and a late-race downpour that caused huge drama.

2 mins

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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.

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