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Kerala: 16 Candidates To Contest In Wayanad, 10 In Palakkad & Six In Chelakkara

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The Commune
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Kerala: 16 Candidates To Contest In Wayanad, 10 In Palakkad & Six In Chelakkara

The final list of candidates is now ready after the last date for withdrawing nominations to the Wayanad Lok Sabha and Palakkad and Chelakkara assembly constituencies ended on Wednesday.

There are 16 candidates in Wayanad, 10 in Palakkad, and six in Chelakkara. The elections will be held on November 13th.

Even though the principal fight at the Wayanad Lok Sabha polls is between the Congress-led UDF candidate Priyanka Gandhi and CPI candidate of the ruling CPI-M-led LDF, a veteran three-time former legislator Sathyan Mokeri while young sitting Kozhikode Corporation Councilor Navya Haridas is the BJP candidate.

The sitting Lok Sabha member from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi, decided to vacate the constituency after he chose to retain Raebareli, making the by-elections a necessity.

The Assembly by-elections at Palakkad and Chelakkara were necessitated after sitting legislators Shafi Paramabil (Congress) and K. Radhakrishnan (CPI-M), respectively, vacated the seats after winning the April Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP has high hopes at Palakkad, where their candidate ‘Metro man’ E Sreedharan gave a tough fight to Parambil before losing by less than 4,000 votes in the 2021 Assembly polls.

The Congress has brought in Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil, while the BJP has fielded Krishnakumar, the candidate at the recent Lok Sabha seat from the Palakkad seat.

The CPI-M has fielded a turncoat Congress leader, P Sarin, a medical doctor, who was the losing Congress candidate from the nearby Ottapalam Assembly seat at the 2021 assembly polls.

Sarin was hopeful of getting the Congress ticket, but the party gave the ticket to another candidate, leaving him to quit Congress. Then, the CPI-M decided to field him as a Left independent candidate.

From the Chelakkara Assembly seat, the Congress has fielded Ramya Haridas, who failed to retain her Alathur Lok Sabha seat at the April 26th Lok Sabha polls.

The CPI-M has brought in U.R. Pradeep, the former legislator who represented the constituency (2016-21), while the BJP has fielded K. Balakrishnan.

–IANS

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Indian Youth Among Best In Innovation & Technology: PM Modi

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The Commune
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Indian Youth Among Best In Innovation & Technology: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that Indian youth are among the best in innovation and technology. He said this in reply to GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke, who lauded India for having the fastest-growing developer population on the planet. “When it comes to innovation and technology, Indian youth are among the best!” PM Modi said in a post on X.

Dohmke called India’s rise as a global tech titan “inexorable”. In its recent ‘Octoverse’ report, the Microsoft Copilot-powered developer platform said there are over 17 million developers in India building on the platform — representing an increase of 28 per cent in 2024. The report noted that AI has moved beyond the hype of 2023 as Indian developers and organisations prioritise results over experimentation. “India’s developers have gone a leap further: they’re increasingly using AI to build AI,” Dohmke wrote on X. “India is now the fastest-growing developer population on the planet,” he added. India is also the second largest developer community contributing to public generative AI projects on GitHub, just behind the US, with a 79 per cent increase from last year.

The country also saw a 95 per cent year-over-year (YoY) growth in contributions to these projects, placing itself third globally, after the US and Hong Kong. Dohmke noted that India’s booming developer community is using AI to build AI in record numbers, making it evermore likely that the next great multinational will come from India. The company predicts that India will surpass the US to become the world’s largest developer community by 2028. It is also driving societal change through popular open-source projects like ERPNext. This project from India has the most contributions in GitHub’s ‘For Good First Issue’, which connects contributors with projects addressing societal challenges and promoting sustainable development.

–IANS

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Telangana HC Asks Government To Constitute Commission For BC reservation

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The Commune
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Telangana HC Asks Government To Constitute Commission For BC reservation

On Wednesday, the Telangana High Court directed the state government to constitute an independent commission to determine reservations for backward classes.

The state government recently issued an order directing the Backward Classes Welfare Commission to assess socioeconomic and political representation across the government and private sectors. The Commission began statewide public hearings on Tuesday as part of this exercise.

Last month, the state government constituted the Commission, and senior Congress leader G. Niranjan was appointed chairman. The commission was asked to determine the reservations for BC communities in local bodies after enumerating the percentage of backward-class communities in the population. As per the GO, the BC Commission will assess socioeconomic and political representation for one month and submit its report.

Backward Classes leader and former MP R. Krishnaiah challenged the government order in the High Court. His counsel submitted that entrusting the task to the BC Commission violated the Supreme Court order.

The court was also informed that the Bombay High Court struck down a similar order issued in Maharashtra.

Krishnaiah’s counsel, former Advocate General B.S. Prasad, submitted to the High Court that if a similar situation arises in Telangana after the Commission submits its report, it would be a waste of time. Hence, he sought orders to the government to constitute a special Commission.

Congress promised to implement 42 percent reservations for the Backward Classes in the Panchayat Raj elections.

Krishnaiah recently wrote a letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to implement the poll promise. He said that the government cannot avoid enhancing reservations for BCs, citing legal issues or the Supreme Court ceiling on 50 percent reservations. He said the Assembly can pass a resolution and implement 42 percent reservation in the local body elections, which has been a Congress promise.

IANS

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Militants Will Get Killed As Long As They Continue To Infiltrate: Farooq Abdullah

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The Commune
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Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday that militants will keep dying as long as they don’t stop infiltrating. “Encounters will keep taking place. Militants will keep coming, and we will keep eliminating them,” Farooq Abdullah told media persons while was answering a question about Akhnoor encounter in which three terrorists were killed.

Asked whether the ‘Darbar move’ would take place this time, Abdullah said, “Darbar Move will definitely take place.” Following the practice set up by the Dogra Maharajas, all major offices of J&K, including that of the Chief Minister, his council of ministers and senior bureaucrats, would shuttle between Srinagar and Jammu cities on a six-monthly basis. However, the L-G administration stopped the practice. Abdullah also urged everyone to celebrate Diwali and prayed for the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Everyone should celebrate Diwali well. It is a very big festival. May God and Goddess Lakshmi bless the people here with prosperity, as wealth is scarce in this area. Today, most of the shops are empty here,” he said. Meanwhile, NC spokesman and MLA, Tanvir Sadiq said that no NC MLA would attend the J&K foundation day to be observed on October 31.

For the last five years, the L-G administration has celebrated October 31 as the J&K Foundation Day to mark implementing the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019.

–IANS

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India Realising Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

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The Commune
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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday said that the country is realising the vision Atmanirbhar Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sonowal attended the meeting on the Final Master Plan of Dibrugarh – Vision 2045 – by the Dibrugarh Development Authority (DDA) here today.

He said on the occasion: “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India is moving swiftly towards realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047. Dibrugarh, rich with tremendous potential for economic development, is also working towards becoming a modern, self-sufficient and sustainable urban centre of growth with elevated quality of living.” He said that that Dibrugarh has a rich legacy, it has a rich history, one that needs to be taken into account while we move ahead to reclaim it and build it on the premises of sustainable development. In the future, the premises of the city are likely to reach 391 square kilometres, which will also include water bodies, including rivers.

“Our planning should be meticulous to the point that such gifts of mother nature is respected as we must take all possible steps to protect the environment. The master plan of Dibrugarh should take this aspect into account while working out solutions to ensure sustainable development,” he added. Sonowal stated: “Our city is a beautiful urban dwelling and we must take measures to arrest any possibility of artificial flooding. It is most important that scientific measures must be applied for swift disbursal of any flooding.”

He added that the mother nature has blessed us with a natural bounty and we must take steps to preserve it for our future generations. “Many steps initiated by the Modi government like ‘Waste to Wealth’ or ‘Waste to Energy’ must be roped in to nip the pollution in the bud,” he said. He further said, “Our effort, through this meeting here today, is an attempt to build an argument for a greener, healthier and happier Dibrugarh.”

–IANS

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Tata-Airbus Facility A Watershed Moment For India’s Defence Journey: PM Modi

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The Commune
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the inauguration of the C-295 aircraft manufacturing complex in Vadodara was a watershed moment in India’s defence and aerospace journey.

In a LinkedIn post, PM Modi said the execution speed is breathtaking — from foundation stone to operational facility in just two years. This is a clear manifestation of a new work culture and the capabilities of the people of India. PM said India’s defence production was Rs 1.27 lakh crore in the financial year (FY) 2023-24. Along with production, India’s defence exports surged to Rs 21,000 crore. It was Rs 1,000 crore in 2014.

“In India, over 12,300 items have been indigenised in just 3 years and more than Rs 7,500 crore invested in domestic vendors by DPSUs (Defence PSUs),” PM Modi added. He said that due to the strengths and skills of our Yuva Shakti and the government’s efforts, our dependency on imports has reduced. “India’s defence sector has ample opportunities for our youth, startups, manufacturers, and innovators. This is your moment to be part of history. India needs your expertise and enthusiasm,” PM Modi further said. “The doors are open for innovation, the policies are supportive, and the opportunity is unprecedented. Together, we will make India not just Aatmanirbhar in defence but a global leader in defence manufacturing,” the PM stated.

Historically, India relied heavily on foreign countries for its defence needs, with about 65-70 per cent of defence equipment being imported. “However, this landscape has dramatically shifted, with around 65 per cent of defence equipment now manufactured within India,” the government added. The TATA-Airbus facility in Vadodara has become India’s first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing indigenous production capabilities. Under the programme, 56 C-295 aircraft will be delivered, with the initial 16 arriving from Airbus in Spain and the remaining 40 produced domestically.

–IANS

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Kerala: Divya Arrested, Kannur Collector Under Scanner In ADM Suicide Case

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The Commune
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Kerala ADM Suicide: Court Adjourns CPI-M Leader’s Anticipatory Bail Plea Till Oct 29

Kannur District Collector Arun Vijayan has pointed fingers against Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu in the controversial suicide case involving the CPI-M leader PP Divya.

In his statement to the police, the collector said that Babu confessed to him of having done a ‘wrong’. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal has slammed the collector, saying that he has no right to continue in his position.

“The collector has been forced to make such a statement and the CPI-M is a master in it. They intervened in the system to ensure that all whom they want to be protected are protected. It’s shameless for the collector to have given such a statement,” said Venugopal.

State BJP president K. Surendran said the Kerala Chief Minister and Divya must also be accused in the case.

Babu was found hanging on October 15 in his home, and a case against Divya for her remarks was registered on October 17. Divya made the speech at Babu’s function in the Kannur collectorate on October 14th, where she barged in to make a speech even though she wasn’t invited.

She had alleged that Babu withheld a sanction for a petrol pump, but just before his transfer orders came, he gave the sanction.

Incidentally, this statement deeply hurt Babu, who committed suicide at his official quarters by hanging. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan was the first person to give Babu a clean chit and termed him one of the cleanest officials in his department.

–IANS

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Ram Lalla’s First Diwali Celebration: Ayodhya Aims For Two Guinness World Record With 28 Lakh Diyas And Saryu Aarti By 1,100 Vedacharyas

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The Commune
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Ayodhya Aims For Two Guinness World Record With 28 Lakh Diyas And Saryu Aarti By 1,100 Vedacharyas

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is all decked up for Deepotsav on 30 October 2024. This will be the first such celebration in the city after the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, held on 22 January. The day began with the Shobha Yatra, a procession of tableaux showcasing the life of Lord Ram and based on the seven chapters of the Ramayana.

The procession started from Saket Mahavidyalaya and around 18 tableaus lined up. These tableaus will tour the Ayodhya city and showcase all the chapters of Ramayana, and will also give the message of women empowerment. Artists from all over the country were presenting different folk dances in the procession.

One of the artists participating in the festival said they were working to promote traditions and cultural heritage. “My aim is to further the celebration of our traditions. There is a portrayal of Lord Ram’s childhood, along with Mata Kaushalya and King Dasharath, depicting the early years of Lord Ram,” said the artist performing at the Shobha Yatra.

The Yogi Adityanath government plans to illuminate the city with 28 lakh ‘diyas (earthen lamps)’ in an attempt to create a new world record. These will be arranged by 30,000 volunteers. In this year’s Deepotsav, another world record will be attempted. It will be of 1,100 people performing the largest ‘aarti’ together on the ghats of Saryu.

The UP CM will also participate in performing the special aarti and lighting the diyas. The event will take place at multiple locations, including New Ghat and Old Ghat. A 30-member Guinness World Records team is present in the city to oversee the preparations. The team is likely to pronounce results after the diyas are lit. The counting of the diyas will utilize specialized software to ensure accuracy, as precise dimensions for each 16 by 16-foot area are critical for maintaining count integrity.

The five-day Diwali festivities began with Dhanteras on 29 October 2024, and will end with Bhai Dooj. Also known as the “festival of lights”, Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hindu lunar month of Karthik, between mid-October and mid-November. For Deepotsav, there will be performances by artists from six countries – Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia – along with a Ram Leela presentation from Uttarakhand.

Deepotsav celebrates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, highlighting the city’s cultural and spiritual significance and attracting millions of devotees and tourists. While detailing the plans for the celebrations, Uttar Pradesh Minister Jaiveer Singh said after the establishment of the Ram Temple, this is the first celebration of Deepotsav and to make this occasion memorable, grand and divine, many beautiful decorations have been assembled to enhance the festivities.

Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “Today, I extend my best wishes to every Sanatan follower who believes in traditions and rituals in the country and across the world. Everyone in Ayodhya is overwhelmed and happy today. They are feeling the same enthusiasm and happiness that people must have felt when Lord Ram returned from 14 years of exile. We will also perform Aarti with 1,100 diyas at the Saryu Ghat with 1,100 Vedacharyas.”

-IANS

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Coimbatore Enhances Security Ahead Of Diwali Amid Intelligence Alerts On Past Bombing Concerns

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The Commune
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Police in Coimbatore and nearby districts stepped up security after intelligence agencies issued an alert. According to Coimbatore police sources, security has been intensified across key locations, including shopping malls, railway stations, airports, schools, colleges, and religious sites. The Central agencies have also issued alerts for neighbouring western districts, such as The Nilgiris, Erode, and Salem.

In 2022, a car bomb blast near the Sangameswarar Temple in Ukkadam claimed the life of a 29-year-old youth. The 2022 incident involved Jamisha Mubeen, who, inspired by IS ideology, attempted a suicide bombing near the Ukkadam market. However, the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated prematurely on 23 October 2022, near the ancient Kottai Sangameswarar Temple on Eswaran Kovil Street, resulting in his death. Following the blast, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested 14 individuals, including Mohammed Talka, the nephew of S. A. Basha, founder of the Al-Umma terror organisation. Al-Umma was responsible for the 1998 Coimbatore serial bomb blasts that killed 58 people and injured many others, with then Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani as the intended target.

A senior Tamil Nadu police officer confirmed that stringent security measures are in place across strategic areas of the Coimbatore district. Heavy last-minute Diwali shopping is being witnessed across the district. Police were keeping a tab on markets and malls in response to intelligence inputs. He further said that footage from CCTV cameras was being reviewed.

Dhanraj Menon, a trader in Coimbatore, told IANS, “The market was very crowded. Over the past few days, we have seen brisk business, including at firecracker shops.” He added that clothing and diya shops were recording large sales, with jewellery shops also witnessing high business volumes.

-IANS

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Pakistan’s CM Maryam Nawaz Seeks India’s Help To Combat Smog Crisis Amid Lahore’s Pollution Emergency

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The Commune
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Pakistan’s CM Maryam Nawaz Seeks India's Help To Combat Smog Crisis Amid Lahore's Pollution Emergency

Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated on 30 October 2024, that she plans to write a letter to Bhagwant Mann, the CM of Indian Punjab, seeking cooperation to tackle the issue of smog, which has engulfed the whole region, especially Lahore which has become the most polluted city in the world with AQI even going past 900 earlier this week.

“The air knows no borders. The issue of smog is hurting both sides of Punjab. I intend to write to Indian Punjab’s CM and emphasise that this is not a political matter. Smog is affecting both sides severely and we need to work together to handle this matter,” Maryam Nawaz said during a Diwali celebration ceremony in Lahore.

“We need to work together on humanitarian grounds. Our people are getting affected,” she added.

Lahore continues to remain the world’s most polluted city with the Air Quality Index (AQI) peaking to 708 on 28th October night, prompting medical experts and the provincial government to issue guidelines for the citizens, asking them to stay indoors or not move out without wearing masks.

Local media reported that the AQI touched 708 at 11 pm Monday with PM 2.5 concentration being 431µg/m³, 86.2 times more than the WHO annual air quality guideline value. The provincial government has issued an emergency alert for Lahore citizens, appealing to citizens to wear masks and also keep windows and doors of their homes closed.

The school timings have also been changed with the government requesting parents and management of educational institutions to follow all safety measures for the safety and convenience of children. The authorities have passed an order that any vehicle found to be emitting smoke will be clamped immediately and all brick kilns operating without zigzag technology will be demolished.

The smog has not only affected Lahore but also nearby cities of Kasur, Sheikhupura, Muridke and Gujranwala with the local administration arresting several farmers for burning paddy stubble. However, Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior provincial minister in the government led by Maryam Nawaz, tried to pin blame on India for the current situation, stating that smog from Delhi, Amritsar and Chandigarh is entering Lahore as a result of strong winds. Meanwhile, the AQI in Amritsar, just a little over 50 kms from Lahore, remains well below the 200-mark this week.

-IANS

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TheCommune
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