
Nationwide strike hits Himachal: Workers, farmers and bank employees rally in Shimla against labour codes, privatisation, and exploitation
Braving heavy rains, hundreds of workers, including sanitation staff, health workers, bank employees, and anganwadi and midday meal workers, participated in demonstrations demanding the rollback of new labour codes, an end to privatisation, and implementation of long-pending demands.
Speaking to ANI, Vijender Mehra, President of the Himachal Pradesh unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said the nationwide bandh was jointly called by ten central trade unions, including CITU, public sector federations, and dozens of farmers' organisations.
'This strike is being observed nationwide against the anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government. In Himachal Pradesh, too, workers have stopped work completely. Even at IGMC, the largest hospital in the state, employees have joined the strike, impacting OPD services,' Mehra said.
'No garbage has been collected today as all municipal workers are on strike. Street vendors are also off the roads. Even workers in tourism-dependent hotels in Shimla have joined the bandh,' he added.
Workers from anganwadi centres, midday meal kitchens, sewage treatment plants, and industrial units staged protests across the state.
'Just as the Modi government tried to hand over agriculture to corporates with the three farm laws, it is now trying to push workers into modern-day slavery through the four labour codes,' Mehra said.
'These codes allow 12-hour shifts instead of 8, reduce the role of the Labour Department, restrict the right to strike, and will cut 8 days' pay for a one-day strike,' he warned.
'This is a corporate-driven programme. Five or six corporate houses, Ambani, Adani, Tata, Birla, and Mahindra, have captured 30 per cent of India's wealth. The Modi government is entirely aligned with their interests,' he said.
Mehra said around 17,000 families in Himachal had been displaced from their homes and farmlands due to various infrastructure projects and encroachments.
'National Highways and hydro projects are damaging local homes and farms, destroying land and jobs. These projects serve the interests of corporations, not local communities. That's why we are protesting,' he said.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) also participated in the strike, with employees from nationalised banks, LIC, and GIC joining the protest. Narinder Sharma, Convenor of the United Bank Workers and Officers Union of Himachal Pradesh, has warned that millions of rupees of public money may be shifted to private hands.
'Our union includes four officers' unions and five workers' unions, representing 100 percent of manpower in the Indian banking sector. We participated in this collective strike along with other trade unions on key demands, particularly opposing the privatisation of public sector banks and insurance companies,' he said.
'The government should not reduce its stake in banks below 80 per cent. If it does, it will open the path to full privatisation. This is a direct threat to the financial sovereignty of the country,' Sharma said.
'Labour codes are being used to remove long-standing protections affecting working hours, wages, and service conditions. Public sector banks have played a major role in India's growth and upliftment of the middle class; now this legacy is being dismantled,' he said.
'There is Rs 140 lakh crore of public money deposited in these banks. If privatised, the risk to public trust and security will be enormous,' he added.
Thousands of grassroots health workers and Anganwadi employees also participated in the protest. Himi Devi, President of the Himachal Pradesh Skilled and ASHA Workers Union, has warned of an aggressive protest if their demands are not fulfilled.
'For the past 23 years, ASHA workers have been delivering vital health services in Himachal Pradesh, yet they remain underpaid and unrecognised. The government pays just Rs 150 for a delivery case it's an insult to our work,' she said.
'Similarly, anganwadi workers, who have served the state for over four decades, are now being pushed aside. Instead of regularising them, the government is closing centres and shifting children to under-resourced government schools,' Himi Devi said.
She pointed out the dire situation of midday meal workers as well.
'2,13,000 workers across India are feeding over 5.32 lakh children. But for 16 years, the Centre has paid just Rs 1,000 a month to these workers. How can anyone survive on this?' she asked.
'The High Court has twice ruled that midday meal workers should be paid for all 12 months, but that hasn't been implemented,' she added.
'Also, the condition that an anganwadi needs at least 25-26 children to remain operational is unreasonable in hilly states like Himachal, where population density is low. The unique geography of the state must be considered,' she demanded.
'Today's protest is just a token strike. But if our demands continue to be ignored, we will launch an indefinite agitation until the government responds,' Himi Devi warned. (ANI)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
8 minutes ago
- Business Standard
125 immigrant billionaires now hold $1.3 trillion of America's wealth
Immigrants aren't just cheap labour — they help make America wealthier. The 2025 Forbes list of foreign-born billionaires living in the US, along with Meta's newly announced Superintelligence Lab run entirely by immigrant researchers, reflects how central immigrants have become to the country's growth — economically and technologically. A record 125 foreign-born American citizens now appear on Forbes' annual list of billionaires residing in the US, up from 92 in 2022. Together, they account for 14 per cent of America's nearly 900 billionaires and hold $1.3 trillion in combined wealth — around 18 per cent of the country's total billionaire fortune. Among the top 10 richest Americans, three are immigrants. The world's wealthiest person, Elon Musk, was born in South Africa and moved to the US via Canada as a student. He is now worth $393.1 billion. Google cofounder Sergey Brin, who came to the US from Russia as a child, follows with a net worth of $139.7 billion. Nvidia's Jensen Huang, born in Taiwan and sent to the US as a child during political unrest in Thailand, is worth $137.9 billion. These 125 billionaire immigrants hail from 43 countries, but most were born in just a handful of places. • Indian-origin immigrants leads with 12 billionaires, up from 7 in 2022 • Taiwan and Israel follow closely with 11 each • Canada (9), China (8), and Germany and Iran (6 each) also feature prominently Among the new entrants are AMD CEO Lisa Su, cousin of Nvidia's Huang, and Iranian-born biotech leader Maky Zanganeh, now co-CEO of Summit Therapeutics. 'Being an immigrant is about seeking the best opportunities and learning to adapt to new environments,' Forbes quoted Zanganeh, whose firm's lung cancer drug candidate helped push her into the billionaire bracket. Indians added five new immigrant billionaires this year — more than any other country. Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Nikesh Arora are now part of this cohort, joining other US-based billionaires like Jay Chaudhry, Vinod Khosla, and Romesh Wadhwani. Most are self-made, and many came for education While over a quarter of US billionaires inherited their wealth, 93 per cent of immigrant billionaires built it themselves. Nearly two-thirds made their fortune in tech (53 people) or finance (28 people). Many came to the US for higher education and stayed on. According to Forbes, Musk arrived to study at the University of Pennsylvania. Jay Chaudhry, now worth $17.9 billion, flew from India to the University of Cincinnati in 1980 having never been on a plane. Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, arrived at 16 to study in Illinois and washed dishes for $1.20 an hour his first day. Immigrants leading Meta's AI lab Beyond billionaires, immigrants are also behind some of the most cutting-edge innovation in the US today. Meta's newly launched Superintelligence Lab, tasked with building next-generation AI systems, is staffed entirely by immigrant researchers. The 11-member team includes talent from India, China, the UK, South Africa, and Australia — all with advanced US university degrees and work histories at top AI firms like OpenAI, Google and DeepMind. 'Meta's Superintelligence Lab, led entirely by immigrant researchers, is the practical reality we needed to see,' Praneet Singh, AVP of University Partnership at upGrad's study abroad division told Business Standard. 'AI innovation is truly going borderless and India continues to serve as a strong hub of ready talent.' He added, 'It's quite paradoxical, though — while our talent is ready, mobility remains constrained. Despite policy shifts like STEM OPT extensions and improved green card processing, visa constraints and bureaucratic uncertainties continue to slow down global movement.' This rise in immigrant wealth and innovation comes against the backdrop of tighter immigration scrutiny under the Trump administration, with longer visa processing times and expanded enforcement.


Fashion Value Chain
8 minutes ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Crompton Introduces Ameo Fresh Nutri Blender, Reinforcing Its Promise of ‘Healthy Choices Made Easy'
In today's fast-paced world, maintaining healthy eating habits can be a challenge. To address this, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., a trusted name in the Indian consumer durables market, has launched the Ameo Fresh Nutri Blender – a next-generation, compact appliance designed for busy, health-conscious individuals. Emphasizing the slogan 'Healthy Choices Made Easy', the Ameo Fresh Nutri Blender is thoughtfully engineered to enhance daily nutrition, seamlessly fitting into modern kitchens. As a trusted brand with a wide consumer base in the Indian market, Crompton is committed to meaningful innovation that aligns with the growing focus on healthy living. Crompton Ameo Fresh Nutri Blender In a world where mornings are rushed and nutrition often takes a backseat, preparing fresh, wholesome meals can feel like a challenge. Working professionals and young families are steadily moving away from packaged foods, gravitating instead towards solutions that enable quick, hygienic, and reliable food preparation. The Ameo Fresh Nutri Blender is a testament to Crompton's commitment to empowering consumers with tools that facilitate healthier living in an increasingly busy world. With a powerful 400 watts of blending performance, this sleek blender effortlessly combines convenience and efficiency, making it an essential tool for quick and nutritious meal preparation. By simplifying the preparation of healthy meals, Crompton not only supports individual health and wellness goals, but also encourages a broader lifestyle change toward nutrition and wellness. The product boasts a range of user-centric features designed for practical, everyday benefits: Lump-free quick blends with Maxi blend technology : Specially crafted stainless-steel blades and jar design to create a vortex motion ideal for creamy smoothies, shakes, dips, baby food, and more Safety and Convenience : With a Power Button and unique Intelligent Locking Mechanism, ensuring safe and hassle-free use Hygienic food preparation : All jars are made from BPA-free and SS 304 stainless blades, to create delicious and healthy recipes without any concerns Leakage-Free Operation : The leak-proof base offers a clean, spill-free blending experience Easy to use and carry : Add-on sipper cap and storage lids allow users to blend and carry drinks in the same jar, ideal for busy mornings or on-the-go refreshment Next gen Compact Design: Space- saving compact design for compact kitchens without compromising on performance Speaking about the new launch, Ketan Chaudhari, PL Head – Small Domestic Appliances, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. said, 'Today's consumer isn't just looking for appliances – they're looking for enablers of better living. With the Ameo Fresh Nutri Blender, our goal was to create something that fits seamlessly into the everyday – not just in function, but in design and aesthetics. Whether it's the early rush before work or trying to make healthier choices for your family, this product is designed to support real-life routines. It's another step in our journey to make Crompton synonymous with smart, healthy living for Indian homes.' The Crompton Ameo Fresh Nutri Blender is now available on e-commerce platforms in India at an MRP of INR 5,299/-. With this launch, Crompton further strengthens its presence in the food preparation category, offering a compact yet powerful solution for consumers looking to adopt healthier habits – one blend at a time. About Crompton With a brand legacy of over 85 years, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. is India's market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. Over the years, the organization has continuously strived to produce a range of innovative products that cater to the modern consumer including superior quality and high-performance fans, pumps, lighting solutions and a range of other categories like water heaters; air coolers; small kitchen appliances like mixer grinders, air fryers, OTG, electric kettles etc.; other home appliances like irons & built-in kitchen appliances. The company has further invested in brand and innovation to not only better understand and meet consumer needs, but to also help drive energy efficiency. The consumer business also has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country offering a wide service network and robust after sales service to its customers. The companys consistent dedication to developing energy-efficient products has led to significant recognition. It has been honored with three prestigious National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) by BEE, Ministry of Power. The recent award was presented by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu for the companys storage water heater in 2023. In 2019, the brand won in two categories: Ceiling Fans and LED Bulbs. Additionally, it was recognized as one of Indias Best Managed Companies 2022 by Deloitte Private and listed among 'India's Top 500 companies 2022' by Dun & Bradstreet India. The company has also been featured in Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. Furthermore, Crompton was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in the Consumer Electrical category.


The Hindu
15 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Reuters' X account block: what just happened?
Here's the gist: First, Reuters' X account was blocked. Then, it got unblocked. X says it withheld the account in response to a legal demand from the Indian government. The Indian government denied the claim. And then X jumps in, saying India actually ordered a ban on over 2,300 accounts, including Reuters. Let's dig into the details. On July 5th, international news agency Reuters had its X accounts @Reuters and @ReutersWorld, blocked in India. A message on X said the accounts were withheld 'in response to a legal demand.' And it wasn't just Reuters. The X accounts of Chinese newspaper Global Times and Turkish public broadcaster TRT World were also withheld in India. When questions started surfacing, a spokesperson from Press Information Bureau told Reuters that no Indian agency had asked for their account to be withheld and added that officials were working with X to resolve the problem. And just 24 hours later, the accounts were restored. Meanwhile, X In a post on its Global Government Affairs handle, stated: On July 3, 2025, the Indian government ordered X to block 2,355 accounts in India, including international news outlets like @Reuters and @ReutersWorld, under Section 69A of the IT Act. Non-compliance risked criminal liability. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology demanded immediate action- within one hour- without providing justification, and required the accounts to remain blocked until further notice. After public outcry, the government requested X to unblock @Reuters and @ReutersWorld. We are deeply concerned about ongoing press censorship in India due to these blocking orders. What is the Act all about? The Section 69A of the IT Act empowers the government to restrict access to any content in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of the country, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or for public order. According to a PTI report, an unnamed government source said the demand to block Reuters' X account came during Operation Sindoor, and X must have acted on it only now. Credit: Camera: Johan Sathya Das, Kailas Krishna Producer: Athira Madhav