Various regions of West Bengal experienced tremors on Saturday morning following a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that struck neighboring Bangladesh. The National Center for Seismology reported that the seismic activity occurred in southeastern Bangladesh at a depth of 55 km around 9:05 am.
The NCS shared details of the earthquake on X, stating, “Earthquake of Magnitude: 5.6, Occurred on 02-12-2023, 09:05:31 IST, Lat: 23.15 & Long: 90.89, Depth: 55 Km, Location: Bangladesh, India.”
As of now, the West Bengal Disaster Management Department has not received any reports of damage from across the state. An official mentioned to PTI, “We are yet to get the final report. As of now, there is no report of any damage due to the quake.”
Following his participation in the Conference of Parties-28 (COP28) in Dubai on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform X to share a comprehensive video recap of the event, reaffirming his dedication to collaborative efforts for a more sustainable planet.
In the shared video, PM Modi provided insights into key moments from COP28, showcasing glimpses of his bilateral discussions, interactions with global leaders, and his summit speech emphasizing the collective responsibility of all nations in the fight against climate change. The footage also captured PM Modi engaging with various world leaders on the sidelines of the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai.
Expressing gratitude to Dubai, PM Modi conveyed his appreciation for the productive #COP28 Summit and urged continued collaboration for the betterment of the planet.
On the summit sidelines, PM Modi held a significant meeting with King Charles III, whom he acknowledged as a crucial advocate in the battle against climate change. In a post on X, PM Modi shared his interaction with King Charles and praised his commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
During his visit, PM Modi also had a constructive discussion with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, covering a range of issues. PM Modi expressed the positive nature of their conversation in a post on X.
The Prime Minister returned to Delhi late Friday night after concluding his day-long visit to the UAE, marked by impactful engagements with global leaders and the initiation of groundbreaking measures to accelerate global climate action, as highlighted by MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on X.
Throughout his visit, PM Modi emphasized the profound impact of climate change on countries in the Global South.
Thank you, Dubai! It’s been a productive #COP28 Summit. Let’s all keep working together for a better planet. pic.twitter.com/xpQLQJBmQk
In a significant development, residents of Pashupati Fatak, Simana, Poolkhola, and adjoining villages in Darjeeling District, West Bengal, are set to witness improved mobile connectivity as the Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Technology, Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw ji, has approved the installation of 4G towers in the area.
The request for enhanced mobile coverage was made in a D.O. letter dated September 16, 2023, addressed to Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw ji. Today, a letter from the Hon’ble Minister has confirmed the approval of the installation of 4G towers for Pashupati Fatak and Poolkhola villages. This development is poised to extend 4G mobile coverage to the regions of Pashupati Fatak, Simana, Poolkhola, and their adjoining villages.
The positive response to this request is expected to have a far-reaching impact, benefiting not only the local residents but also a substantial number of SSB and Indian armed personnel stationed in the border areas. The improved network coverage is anticipated to play a crucial role in supporting local businesses and enhancing the quality of life for residents in the border regions, aligning with the vision of the ‘Vibrant Villages’ initiative put forth by Hon’ble PM Sh. Narendra Modi ji.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the people in Pashupati Fatak, Simana, Poolkhola, and the surrounding areas, heartfelt thanks are extended to Hon’ble PM Sh. Narendra Modi ji and Hon’ble Union Minister of Communications and Electronics Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw ji for their swift and positive response to the community’s requests. This development marks a significant step towards realizing the connectivity needs of the region and fostering progress in line with the government’s initiatives.
The entire cost for the eye surgery of Diden Sharma, the eldest son of Nita Sharma, a resident of Kharsang, is being borne by the Member of Parliament Niraj Jimba, providing financial assistance. Additionally, financial support has been provided for the education of Dizen Sharma, the younger son, for his studies.
Member of Parliament Niraj Zimba, in his commitment to social work, has supported many children from economically disadvantaged families for their treatment and education, including Dizen Sharma, the younger son of Nita Sharma, a resident of Sital Basti Ward Number in Kharsang, for his eye surgery. Despite facing a difficult financial situation, Dizen Sharma reached out through social media for support, and after contacting Member of Parliament Niraj Zimba, a complete financial amount was provided for the eye surgery.
Similarly, Dizen Sharma had expressed his desire to pursue education in a good school, and, recognizing the call of an unaware child, Member of Parliament Niraj Zimba pledged to bear all expenses for his education up to the twelfth grade for higher education. The family of Nita Sharma currently resides in a rented house in Kharsang Sital Basti, and their financial condition is precarious. Despite appealing to many for support for her son’s surgery, they have faced challenges in receiving assistance.
Even though he is not from their constituency, Member of Parliament Zimba, with a sense of humanity, responded to the plea of an unaware teenager, emphasizing that such humanitarian assistance, even beyond his constituency, should not be limited. He informed that despite not being in the administrative position in his constituency, he has fulfilled the request of the family with a sense of humanity. The family has tried to contact the Member of Parliament for Kharsang several times, but their calls have not been answered.
Chairman of the GTA, Anit Thapa, has been extended an invitation to participate in a significant meeting of the Group of Ministers (GOM). The summons, issued on the 29th of November 2023 at 12:30 PM, designated the venue as the chamber of the Minister-in-Charge of the Labour Department, located in the Bidhan Sabha Assembly. The primary agenda of this gathering is to deliberate on various matters pertaining to the seamless and effective implementation of Tea Production, offering valuable guidance to Tea Companies.
Among the distinguished attendees at this crucial meeting are Minister-in-Charge (MIC) Shri. Molay Ghatak, who also serves as the Chairman of GOM, MIC Shri. Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, MIC Smt. Sashi Panja, MIC Shri Rathin Ghosh, Minister Shri Bulu Chik Baraik, Hon’ble MP Shri. Prakash Chik Baraik, along with Principal Secretaries from the Departments of Labour, Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Agriculture, and other senior officials.
It is noteworthy that GTA Chairman Anit Thapa holds the position of Permanent Invitee to the reconstituted Group of Ministers, a status conferred on the 17th of November 2023.
Gas cylinder explosions, a frequent and potentially devastating occurrence, recently resulted in a significant incident in Mumbai’s Chembur area. On Wednesday morning, a gas cylinder exploded in a residence near the Golf Club in Old Barrack at 7:50 am, leading to the collapse of four to five two-storey structures.
Civic officials reported that 11 individuals were successfully rescued from the debris, with some sustaining injuries, though the exact number was not specified. Immediate response teams, including the fire brigade, police, civic staff, and ambulance services, were swiftly mobilized to manage the situation.
Following the rescue operation, four members of a single family were admitted to the civic-run Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi for treatment. The injured individuals are identified as Vikas Ambhore (50), Ashok Ambhore (27), Savita Ambhore (47), and Rohit Ambhore (29).
Family welcomes released Palestinian Prisoner (Reuters)
Israel and Palestine have been prominently featured in recent news due to an unfortunate situation. What began as the long-standing Israel-Palestine Conflict escalated into an Israel-Hamas War on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched 5000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The ongoing conflict has resulted in continuous attacks from both sides, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Numerous civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives, while others remain hostage.
After almost two months of relentless fighting, a temporary ceasefire has been established, marking a rare moment of respite. During the initial four-day truce, hostages are being released. Notably, the ceasefire has been extended by an additional two days, and on the fifth day, Israel released 30 Palestinians from its prisons.
PTI reports that a fire official has confirmed that 24 personnel were hurt after a chemical plant in Surat, Gujarat, caught fire due to a storage tank explosion.
Representative Image
PTI reports that a fire official has confirmed that 24 personnel were hurt after a chemical plant in Surat, Gujarat, caught fire due to a storage tank explosion.
The US Embassy and its consulates in India have set a historic milestone by granting a record-breaking number of over 140,000 student visas between October 2022 and September 2023. The US State Department made the announcement on Tuesday, stating, “Our embassy and consulates in India have issued an all-time record of more than 140,000 student visas.”
The US State Department reported, “During the 2023 federal fiscal year, spanning from October 2022 to September 2023, the Department of State achieved a near-record issuance of nonimmigrant visas, surpassing 10 million globally.”
In addition to the remarkable total of over 10.4 million nonimmigrant visas granted worldwide, the US set a noteworthy milestone by issuing nearly eight million visitor visas for business and tourism, marking the highest figure since 2016.
With a focus on global preparedness and the attraction of future leaders from abroad, international students contribute substantially to the US economy, injecting up to $38 billion annually. During this period, the Department issued over 600,000 student visas, marking the highest number since the fiscal year 2017.
Specifically in India, the US embassy and consulates reached an unprecedented achievement by issuing a record-breaking number of over 140,000 student visas.
The Department granted close to 40,000 student visas to African students, with over 9,700 visas specifically allocated to Nigerian applicants.
In the realm of national and economic security, international visitors have played a pivotal role, contributing up to $239 billion in annual spending to the U.S. economy and supporting an estimated 9.5 million American jobs.
A record-breaking 442,000 visas were issued to temporary and seasonal workers, addressing crucial needs in sectors like agriculture, where a shortage of U.S. workers exists. This not only boosts the American economy but also tackles the root causes of irregular migration.
Furthermore, the US issued 590,000 nonimmigrant visas to high-skilled workers and executives, fostering collaboration with American experts in critical fields such as emerging technology and healthcare.
An additional 365,000 nonimmigrant visas were issued to airline and shipping crew members, essential for maintaining global transportation and the supply chains vital to both the U.S. and global economies.
Turning to the US Mission to India, it recently surpassed its target of processing one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023. The US Embassy and Consulates in India highlighted that over 1.2 million Indians visited the U.S. last year, establishing one of the world’s strongest travel relationships.
The statement also noted that Indians now constitute over 10% of all visa applicants worldwide, with 20% seeking student visas and 65% applying for H&L-category (employment) visas. The United States embraces this growth.
Recently, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti visited the national capital to oversee the “unprecedented demand” for US visitor visas among Indians. The US Embassy reported that Garcetti played a special role as a guest on ‘Super Saturday,’ assisting the surge of visa applicants.
दार्जीलिङ 28 नोभेम्बर: दार्जीलिङ नगरपालिकाको बर्तमान बोर्डले कानूनलाई ताकमा राखेर टुरिष्ट टयाक्स उठाउँने काम गर्दैछ यो मनतब्य हाम्रो पार्टी केन्द्रीय समिति सदस्य कार्यकर्ता फिन्जो वाङगेल गुरूङले पोखेको हो।हाम्रो पार्टी केन्द्रीय सदस्य फिन्जो वाङगेल गुरूङले बताए अनुसार पश्चिम बंगालको नगरपालिकाहरूले टुरिष्ट टयाक्स उठाउँन सक्दैन।टुरिष्टहरू र गाडीहरूबाट फिस उर्फ शुल्क संग्रह गर्ने प्रवाधान छ तर त्यसको निम्ति नगरपालिकाले आफ्नो पक्षबाट केही सेवाहरू प्रदान गरेको हुन पर्छ,सित्थैमा नगरपालिकाले टुरिष्टहरूबाट शुल्क उठाउँने प्रवाधान नरहेको गुरूङले बताए।तिनले अझ भने नगरपालिकाले टुरिष्ट शुल्क संग्रह गर्न अधि बोर्ड अफ कमिशनर उर्फ वीओसीको बैठक डाक्नु पर्छ अनि बोर्डमा प्रस्ताव पारित गरेको हुन पर्छ तर दार्जीलिङ नगरपालिकाले वीओसीको बैठक समेत बोलाएनन यहाँसम्म की विपक्षीका निर्वाचित नगरपार्षद एंव नगरपाषर्दिकाहरूलाई बेवास्ता गरेर प्रत्येक टुरिष्टहरूबाट 20 रूपियाँ टुरिष्ट टयाक्स लिने घोषणा गरेको छ।पश्चिम बंगालको कुनै पनि नगरपालिकाले टुरिष्ट शुल्क उठाउँन अधि बोर्ड अफ कमिस्नर बैठक डाक्नु पर्छ अनि टुरिष्ट शुल्क कति संग्रह गर्ने भन्ने विषयमाथि बैठकमा निर्णय लिइन्छ तर दार्जीलिङ नगरपालिकाको बर्तमान बोर्डले यस्तो केही नगरी पश्चिम बंगाल नगरपालिका एक्टलाई ताकमा राखेर प्रत्येक टुरिष्टहरूबाट 20 रूपियाँ टुरिष्ट टयाक्स संग्रह गर्ने घोषणा गरेको गुरूङले बताए।तिनले अझ भने पश्चिम बंगाल नगरपालिका 1993 को धारा 94 ए अन्तर्गत टुरिष्टहरूबाट संग्रह गरिने शुल्क प्रति ब्यक्ति 3 रूपियाँ भन्दा माथि संग्रह गर्न सक्दैन तर दार्जीलिङ नगरपालिकाको बर्तमान बोर्डले 20 रूपियाँ टुरिष्ट टयाक्स उठाउँने घोषणा गरेकोले स्पष्ट हुन्छ दार्जीलिङ नगरपालिकालाई आर्थिक रूपमा निर्भर बनाउँनु होइन तर पैसा कमाउँने उदेश्यले गरेको हो भन्ने प्रमाणित हुन्छ हाम्रो पार्टी केन्द्रीय समिति सदस्य फिन्जो वाङगेल गुरूङले बताए।
