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35 Students Hospitalized After Suspected Gas Leak At Chennai School

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The Commune
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On 25 October 2024, approximately 35 students from Victory Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Thiruvottiyur were rushed to nearby hospitals after experiencing breathing difficulties and fainting, which were reportedly linked to a gas leak with an unpleasant odour.

Currently, nearly 20 students remain under treatment at various hospitals, while others were released after outpatient care.

Students reported noticing the foul smell for the past two days, and on 25th October at around 12:30 PM. They began experiencing throat irritation and breathing problems due to the odor. Although they alerted their teachers, the initial response was limited to providing hot water. By around 2:30 PM, students from Classes 6 to 10 on a specific floor began to faint one after another, prompting teachers to transport them to a nearby government hospital in Theradi.

Parents who gathered near the school and the hospital expressed their anger over not being informed about their children’s condition until 4 PM.

A senior official from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) suggested that the incident may have been caused by a gas leak from the school laboratory, but emphasized that this has yet to be confirmed as an investigation is ongoing. He mentioned that of the approximately 30 affected students, all but one are in stable condition, with one female student transferred to Government Stanley Hospital for further care.

Thiruvottiyur MLA KP Shankar visited the Tsunami Relief Government Hospital, promising that the government would cover all medical expenses for the affected students.

Police officials who examined the scene indicated that the likelihood of a gas leak from the laboratory impacting the students was low, as the lab is situated on the opposite side of the building from where most students were affected. However, the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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BJP’s SG Suryah Corrects ‘Dravidian Model’ Tamil Of DMK MP MM Abdulla Who Cried Foul About Hindi Imposition By Union Minister

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The Commune
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BJP SG Suryah Corrects Tamil Of DMK MP MM Abdulla Who Cried Foul About Hindi Imposition By Union Minister

On 25 October 2024, DMK leader and Pudukkottai Rajya Sabha MP MM Abdulla sought to reignite the “Hindi imposition” debate by replying to Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu’s Hindi letter with one in Tamil. However, his response backfired as his letter contained spelling mistakes, leading to online mockery. Netizens have since started to troll him, playfully offering him Tamil lessons.

This comes against the backdrop of DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin being trolled online on October 25 for incorrectly singing the state anthem “Tamil Thai Vazhrhu” during a government meeting. In a bid to shift the narrative and defend Udhayanidhi, the MP inadvertently invited mockery upon himself.

The letter from Singh to Abdulla addressed concerns raised about food quality and cleanliness on trains. Abdulla shared copies of both letters on social media, highlighting that, despite repeatedly informing officials in the Union Minister of State’s office that he does not understand Hindi, they continued to communicate in that language. He noted that letters from the Minister of State for Railways are always in Hindi. Abdulla explained that he had previously asked the officials to send correspondence in English, but they still responded in Hindi.

DMK MP MM Abdulla, via his official X account, stated, “The letters from the office of the Honorable Minister of State for Railways are always in Hindi.  After reaching his office officials and telling them, “Please send the letter in English as I don’t know Hindi,” the letter is being sent in Hindi repeatedly. I have now sent him a reply so that he can understand. I hope they will understand and act accordingly.”

In his letter, the DMK MP said, “To the Hon’ble Minister, Vanakkam. Nalam Vilaikiren. I received the letter you sent. Since I don’t know Hindi, I don’t know what is written in it. So, the next time you send a letter, please send it in English.”

Immediately, Tamil Nadu BJP state secretary SG Suryah pointed out his glaring spelling mistake and took the opportunity to correct him with the proper spelling.

Unfortunately, the DMK MP, who attempted to defend himself by claiming there was no spelling mistake and that he intended to communicate correctly, ended up posting another explanation on social media, only to be caught out again.

DMK MP MM Abdulla stated, “Vizhaikiren—I like, Vilaikiren—Explaining, Vizhaikiren—I wish you well, Vilaikiren—Are you fine?”

TN BJP state secretary SG Suryah responded by schooling him, saying, “The correct usage is Vizhaikiren. Vizhaikiren means “I would like to. “Nalam Vizhaikiren means” I wish you well. “There is no word in Tamil as Vilaikiren. Vilaikiren means to produce, like growing rice. We can’t grow wellness.”

Netizens mocked the DMK MP for his misspelling and ridiculed him for trying to assert that he was correct, poking fun at him and his party for their pretensions of genuine Tamil aspirations.

https://twitter.com/Shanmugaprathap/status/1850007151240159556

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Here’s Why Vijay TV May Have Blurred Indian Flag Pinned On Actor Sivakarthikeyan And Other Bigg Boss Contestants

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The Commune
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Actor Sivakarthikeyan entered the house of Bigg Boss Tamil as part of the promotions for his much anticipated film Amaran. In an engaging new promo for Bigg Boss Tamil Season 8, Vijay TV featured Sivakarthikeyan appearing in the Bigg Boss house, where he discusses his latest film “Amaran” with the housemates. The promo highlights his interactions with the contestants, including a cake-cutting to celebrate the film’s upcoming release. It also showed Actor Sivakarthikeyan and others pinning a badge of the Indian tricolour on their chest. However, the tricolour badge was blurred in the promo, prompting netizens to raise questions about the same.

A directive from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), in compliance with a Supreme Court order, requires filmmakers to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) if they intend to feature the national flag in their films or shows. Filmmakers (applicable to any mass media broadcasting) must justify the necessity of the flag’s inclusion within the story and ensure the flag and flagpole conform to legal specifications regarding dimensions. The flag shown must also confirm to the Flag Code that govern the display of the Indian national flag. The Flag Code states that the Indian tricolour should be rectangular in shape with a length to height ratio of 3:2

Since the makers of the show are unlike to have got permission from MHA and the Indian flag badge worn by Sivakarthikeyan and the contestants, is round in shape which doesn’t confirm to the Flag Code, it may have been blurred.

Also, the national flag is protected as an emblem under the The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. Its use for any trade or commercial purpose is prohibited without MHA’s prior consent.

In 2017, a Kannada film titled ‘Mass Leader‘ starring Shivrajkumar, which is about an army officer fighting terrorism, had the tricolour blurred in all the scenes where it appears as they did not get the required permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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“Avoid Two Wheelers, Don’t Disturb Public”: Vijay’s Word Of Advice To His Cadres Ahead Of His First Big Public Meeting

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The Commune
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Vijay Advices Cadres to avoid two wheelers Ahead Of TVK Public event.

Kollywood actor Vijay’s eagerly awaited first public event for his party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), is scheduled for 27 October 2024, in Vikravandi, Viluppuram district. This event is highly anticipated as Vijay has remained largely silent about his political ideology since the party’s inception eight months ago. Observers are curious about his vision and how he plans to navigate the political landscape, particularly as he aligned himself closely to Dravidian ideology.

Ahead of his anticipated public meeting on 27 October 2024, actor Vijay issued a message to his supporters, emphasizing safety and adherence to regulations as they prepare to gather.

In his advisory, Vijay reiterated the importance of travel safety for his supporters. “Because you and your safety are important to me in all aspects, you should be very careful about it, too,” he said. He strongly advised against attending the event in two-wheelers, citing potential risks, and encouraged fans to prioritize safety over convenience.

Vijay also urged his followers to consider public convenience and avoid disrupting traffic along the routes leading to the event. “You should come without disturbing the public or the traffic on the coming routes,” he said, underlining the importance of respecting traffic regulations and cooperating with police forces.

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India Sees 74% Drop In Income Disparity Since AY15, Direct Tax Collection Highest In 14 Years

By
The Commune
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India Sees 74% Drop In Income Disparity Since AY15, Direct Tax Collection Highest In 14 Years

A new report has revealed a cumulative 74.2 percent decline in income disparity coverage for those earning up to ₹5 lakh in India. This shows that the government’s continuous efforts are reaching the bottom of the pyramid and leading to an increase in the income of ‘lower income group’ people.

The economic department of the State Bank of India (SBI) compared income disparity during assessment years (AY) 15 and AY24. This comparison showed a clear rightward shift in the income distribution curve in India, signifying that people in lower income brackets are increasing their income to converge towards their share of the population.

“Declining income inequality mirroring upward transition of lower-income people along with their income is evident as 43.6 per cent individual ITR filers, belonging to income group of less than ₹4 lakhs in AY15 (FY14), have left the lowest income group and shifted upwards,” the findings showed.

Also, 26.1 per cent of the gross income of lowest income group of lower than ₹4 lakh has shifted upwards in the intermittent period, the study noted. Female Labour force participation is on the rise (from 23.3 in 2017-18 to 41.7 in 2023-24), with Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Gujarat fanning the maximum movement.

With an increasing alignment with progressive taxation regime, contribution of direct taxes to total tax revenue reached 56.7 per cent in AY24 (54.6 per cent in AY23) — the highest in 14 years.

The growth rate of personal income tax (PIT) collections has been surging faster than corporate tax collections since FY21, with PIT increasing by 6 per cent against CIT’s 3 per cent growth, the SBI study noted.

ITRs filed during AY24 witnessed a phenomenal jump, standing at 8.6 crore (against 7.3 crore in AY22). A total of 6.89 crore or 79 per cent of these returns were filed on or before the due date, the concomitant result in the share of returns filed after due date (with fine) thus declining from a high of 60 per cent in AY20 to merely 21 per cent in AY24.

“We believe the total number of ITRs filing for AY25 could swell more than 9 crore by end March 2025 (7.3 crore ITRs have been filed by the due date) while inculcating more discipline amongst the filers,” said the SBI study.

–IANS

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Priyanka Vadra’s Affidavit Conceals More Than It Reveals, Alleges Amit Malviya

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The Commune
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Priyanka Vadra’s Affidavit Conceals More Than It Reveals, Alleges Amit Malviya

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya has criticised Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, contesting Lok Sabha bypoll from Wayanad, for allegedly omitting key asset details in her election affidavit. Malviya said her investment in Associated Journal Limited (AJL) is missing in the affidavit. In a post on X on Friday, Malviya stated, “Priyanka Vadra’s affidavit conceals more than it reveals. One of the noted omissions from her affidavit is the investment in Associated Journal Limited (publishing National Herald newspaper). She has also conveniently excluded referring to the case against her, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, in the same scam.”

Malviya further highlighted an Income Tax assessment order from 2022, which reported that Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi had acquired additional shares in AJL through trusts, reportedly without compliance with the Companies Act. He said, “The Income Tax department’s assessment order of 2022 said: To fulfil the objective of acquiring 100 per cent shares of AJL, one of the majority shareholders of the assessee (Young India) Rahul, along with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had purchased additional 47,513 and 2,62,411 shares through Rattan Deep Trust and Janhit Nidhi Trust respectively without complying with Companies Act.” Malviya questioned the affidavit’s silence on this acquisition, asking, “But the affidavit filed by Priyanka Vadra is silent on details pertaining to the acquisition of AJL’s shares. Has she given up her share or have they been usurped by Rahul Gandhi? What exactly happened? The Returning Officer is duty bound to ask these questions.”

Priyanka Gandhi’s affidavit lists assets worth approximately Rs 12 crore, including a 12,000 sq ft farmhouse near Shimla valued at Rs 5.64 crore and a Honda CRV valued at Rs 8 lakh. Additionally, her declared assets comprise mutual funds of Rs 2.24 crore, jewellery worth Rs 1.16 crore, and co-owned agricultural land in Mehrauli valued at Rs 2.10 crore with her brother, Rahul Gandhi.

Her husband, Robert Vadra, has declared movable assets worth over Rs 37.9 crore and immovable assets exceeding Rs 27.64 crore, including vehicles and stakes in several companies, according to the affidavit. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra filed her nomination papers for the Lok Sabha bypolls in Wayanad on October 23, thereby marking her electoral debut. The election will be held on November 13.

–IANS

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Arvind Kejriwal Attacked During Campaign In Delhi’s Vikaspuri, Claims APP

By
The Commune
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Aam Aadmi Party on Friday claimed that their party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was attacked during the ‘Jan Sampark Abhiyan’ campaign in the Vikaspuri area of Delhi. “Arvind Kejriwal was holding a padyatra in Vikaspuri area and meeting people there. The BJP is not able to digest the love and blessings that Arvind Kejriwal is getting from people. Today, people associated with the BJP have tried to attack Arvind Kejriwal,” said AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj in a video posted on his X account.

He said that over the past few days, whenever Arvind Kejriwal engages with the public, he receives immense love and affection. He added that earlier too, attempts have been made to hurt Arvind Kejriwal in jail. “When Arvind Kejriwal was in jail, his insulin was stopped, attempts were made for his death,” Bharadwaj added. “Yesterday, he visited an ice cream shop in Connaught Place, followed by a paan shop, and soon, many youngsters, children, and elderly people gathered to talk and take selfies with him,” he said. He added that this is what the BJP is struggling to accept and today, BJP-affiliated individuals attempted to attack Arvind Kejriwal. There was a major lapse in Kejriwal’s security in the Vikaspuri during his campaign. Reportedly, five to six people reached very close to the former Delhi Chief Minister and tried to attack him.

However, the AAP workers in the security ring prevented the possible attack on Kejriwal. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the attack on Arvind Kejriwal is extremely condemnable and worrying. “It is clear that the BJP has carried out this attack through its goons. If anything happens to Arvind Kejriwal, the entire responsibility will be on the BJP. We are not going to be afraid—the Aam Aadmi Party will remain steadfast on its mission,” the former Deputy Chief Minister said. He added that BJP first tried to kill Arvind Kejriwal in jail, adding that now the court has released him and he is coming out every day to meet the people of Delhi, so BJP is trying to kill him through its goons. “BJP wants to finish off Arvind Kejriwal by any means because they will never be able to defeat him in elections,” he said.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the attack on Arvind Kejriwal is deeply condemnable and alarming. “It’s evident that BJP orchestrated this through its goons. If anything happens to Kejriwal ji, BJP will be fully responsible,” he said. He added that Kejriwal has been a beacon of honest politics and a pioneer of change, transforming Delhi’s & Punjab’s education, healthcare, and infrastructure. “His leadership is crucial not just for Delhi but for the future of India. We will not be intimidated—AAP will stay committed to its mission,” the minister said.

–IANS

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Samajwadi Party Again Bares Fangs At MVA, Threatens To Go Solo In Maharashtra Polls

By
The Commune
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Samajwadi Party Again Bares Fangs At MVA, Threatens To Go Solo In Maharashtra Polls

Irked by the tiresome delays in finalising the seat-sharing, the Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) has served a day’s ultimatum to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to take a decision, failing which it would go solo in the state Assembly elections, here on Friday. An apparently livid Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azmi called on MVA ally and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar and discussed his grievances and the need to allot seats to the smaller allies on priority.

After emerging from the meeting, Azmi said that the procrastination over giving seats to smaller allies was “not good” for the alliance and was creating doubts and uncertainties among the partners. “We have already announced our candidates for five seats… We shall ensure their victory. If they don’t allot our share by tomorrow, then we shall quit the MVA and contest independently. We have candidates ready for up to 25 seats and we shall field them,” warned Azmi. He said that he was losing faith in the Congress as it has repeatedly been assuring that the issue would be resolved in a day or so, but that does not seem to be happening, with the Congress-SS (UBT) purportedly at loggerheads over some seats. “At the last minute, a day before the nomination deadline, they will tell us that nothing can be done as all the seats have been distributed, leaving us out,” said Azmi, referring to what he called his ‘past experiences’ in the Lok Sabha.

The MVA’s main allies, Congress-NCP (SP)-SS (UBT) have been embroiled in prolonged and multiple rounds of discussions for sharing the 288 Assembly seats, almost tiring the other partners who want to name their candidates, file nominations, and start the poll campaign. Till now, the three parties have reached an agreement for 85 seats each (255), and arrived at a loose understanding on another 15 seats (270), while the remaining 18 shall be distributed among the allies like SP, Peasants & Workers Party, CPI, CPI (M), AAP, etc.

Based on the current status, the three main allies have already announced their candidates for around 140 seats in their first lists, and more candidates are likely to be named in a day or so, as the October 29 deadline for filing nominations with the Election Commission of India looms ahead. In a pre-emptive move, the SP has named five candidates and other smaller allies have also finalised a few of their nominees, yet eagerly awaiting the green signal from the three major parties.

–IANS

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Bandi Sanjay Kumar Claims Musi Project Taken Up For Gandhi Family’s ‘Son-In-Law’

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The Commune
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Bandi Sanjay Kumar Claims Musi Project Taken Up For Gandhi Family's 'Son-In-Law'

Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday alleged that the Telangana government is taking up Musi River project for Rs 1.5 lakh crore for the sake of son-in-law of the Congress party’s first family. Without naming Robert Vadra, he claimed that the son-in-law of the Congress party’s first family recently came to Hyderabad and was given the contract. He also alleged that Telangana money is being used to fund Congress party’s election campaign in Jharkhand and Maharashtra He was addressing a protest organised by the BJP here to protest against the government’s plans to demolish houses of people living in Musi River bed and buffer zone for Riverfront Development Project.

Bandi Sanjay blamed Congress and BRS governments for polluting the Musi River. Due to the wrong decisions made by the ruling Congress and BRS for the last four to five decades, the effluents from 12,000 industries join the river. He asked if Rs 1.5 lakh crore project was necessary for beautification of Musi by demolishing houses of poor and middle classes people. “Where is the DPR? What is the progress of the project?” he questioned, and declared that the BJP will stand with the residents who are questioning the injustice. Bandi Sanjay Kumar pointed out that the Sabarmati River project taken up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cost only Rs 7,000 while the cost of Namami Gange was only Rs 40,000 crore. He claimed that these projects were completed without any corruption and without any opposition from people.

The Union MoS for Home alleged that the Congress was trying to commit the biggest scam in the world in the name of Musi rejuvenation and claimed that people are opposing the project at every step. He said the previous government of BRS borrowed Rs 1 lakh crore in the name of Kaleshwaram project while Congress party is trying to impose a burden of another Rs 1.5 lakh crore debt in the name of Musi rejuvenation. Addressing the protesters, Union Minister for Coals and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said he was ready to accept the challenge of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to live near Musi. G. Kishan Reddy, who is also president of state BJP, said they were ready to go to jail but would not tolerate demolition of houses of the poor.

–IANS

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Botpathri Attack Proves Pakistan Abetting Terrorism In Kashmir: Army

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The Commune
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Botpathri Attack Proves Pakistan Abetting Terrorism In Kashmir: Army

Army said on Friday that the Botpathri attack has proved that Pakistan is abetting terrorism in Kashmir. “Pakistani terrorists, with a view to disrupting peace and stability in Kashmir, cowardly targeted an Army column in general area Butapathri, Baramulla on 24 October 2024, which was carrying soldiers and local porters,” a defence ministry statement said. It added that on being fired upon, the alert troops swiftly and resolutely retaliated the fire, forcing the terrorists to retreat leaving behind a weapon and rucksack and escape into dense foliage, exploiting a nala and fading light.

“Regrettably, two brave Indian Army soldiers, one from Anantnag district and the other from Sirsa District succumbed to the injuries sustained during the exchange of fire, thereby making the supreme sacrifice,” it said. The statement added that the Indian Army salutes the bravery of Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah and Rifleman Jeevan Singh, who despite being hit responded and forced the terrorists to flee, before laying down their lives in this cowardly terrorist attack. It said that actions by these brave soldiers prevented the terrorists from causing any further damage and demonstrated unwavering courage and commitment to safeguard the National Security and counter the inimical agenda of Pakistan abetted terrorism in Kashmir. The statement said that their selfless act is a testament to the Indian Army’s resolve to safeguard our nation and citizens.

“Alongside the brave soldiers, two Kashmiri porters Zahoor Ahmad Mir resident of Boniyar Tehsil and Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary resident of Uri Tehsil also made the ultimate sacrifice, while serving the nation,” it said. The statement added that it is evident that Pakistani terrorists are, deliberately and unregretfully, targeting Kashmiri locals to evoke fear and terror in Valley, which is progressing towards peace and stability. “The only ideology these terrorists espouse is of ‘The Reign of Terror in Valley’,” the defence ministry statement said.

It said that the Indian Army pays tribute to these brave soldiers and porters, who laid down their lives while serving the nation and extend heartfelt condolences to their families. “Indian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our citizens and will resolutely achieve its efforts to combat terrorism and promote harmony in Kashmir Valley. The sacrifices of these brave Kashmiris and Indian Army soldiers will inspire the future generations to stand against the perpetrators of terror,” concluded the defence ministry statement.

–IANS

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