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Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Plant. Post. Repeat: As Van Mahotsav celebrations take root, Delhi-NCR turns tree planting into a ritual
Van Mahotsav or Forest Festival, which is celebrated every year in the first week of July, has found a strong footing in the Capital. Recently, at Bharat Mandapam, an exhibition was held on the same theme. But, the green festivities don't pause there since residents of NCR have taken up tree planting as a perennial ritual. Converting their weekend hobby into a social media moment, some are throwing seed bombs whereas others are indulging in tree journaling alongside being part of the usual plantation drives. Young Delhiites are making tree planting a year-round movement. 'It's more than just a green habit, it's a fun ritual that allows one to reconnect with Nature,' says Sanya Mitra, a second-year student of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), adding, 'For me and my friends, now tree planting has become another one of our regular outings. We love being amid the greens during the rains and making our contribution to our city. Recently we lost so many trees during the several windstorms, and that has added momentum to our cause.' 'There's something about planting in the rain that feels very fulfilling and magical. Our mission is to plant 100 crore trees across the country, and we have already planted over right lakh trees. The monsoon season really brings fresh energy to our work and multiplies the output great folds,' says Rajeev Kumar from the Think Good Foundation (087506 05092). 'Every weekend, we organise plantation drives in Greater Noida where nearly 50 volunteers from across NCR come together. Young, college students become a part along and some families arrive along with kids. We even see corporates showing up to bond outdoors, and everyone makes bombs using seed varieties like bamboo, babul, jangal jalebi, papri, and baken. We provide everything that's required and in turn the volunteers help plant saplings or even water and compost to the ones we've already planted. It's not just about planting trees but a full community experience.' The Think Good Foundation is on a mission to plant 100 crore trees across the country. But that's not all that Delhiites do, for most ask whether 'the tree they plant will be taken care of,' shares Dhirender Sharma, from Delhi Greens (9811330214), adding: 'That's exactly what we take pride in! We ensure no one has to worry. Once a tree is planted, our team follows up regularly to nurture and maintain it. If one wants to volunteer they can either become part of one of our drives or we also have the option for them to invite us to their office complex, or college, school etc where we can conduct one such drive. Anyone can reach out and join us in the initiative.' Delhi Greens ensures each tree planted is also looked after with regular maintenance drives. And if tree planting is the key word than Deepak Gaur (9313709050) aka Gurugram's Tree Man can't keep calm! Having given his mission a fresh social media twist, Deepak tells us: 'I wanted to add more to the usual plantation drives and create something that actually connects with today's generation, people who love photography and social media. That's how the concept of the Three P's was born: Plantation, Procurement, and Presentation. First, participants plant a tree and document the moment. Then comes Procurement, where they continue to document the tree's journey: watering it, caring for it, ensuring it grows. It's about long-term commitment and not a one-time photo opportunity. Finally, there's Presentation, where they are supposed to share deeper details like its age, location, and even possible threats like stray animals or human interference. I receive so many emails especially with young professionals and students who are trying to reconnect with Nature.' For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
West Bengal: Preparations on, security beefed up for Digha Rath Yatra
Kolkata: Major preparations have been made and security beefed up in Digha, the coastal town of Bengal, where Rath Yatra will take place tomorrow for the first time. The West Bengal Chief Minister made preparatory meetings with State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, DGP Rajeev Kumar and ISKCON temple authorities, ahead of Rath Yatra tomorrow. Major security arrangements have been made in Digha with the Fire Brigade, police assistance booths and drinking water facilities. Security has been beefed up, including Kolkata Police and civic police, in large numbers "Barricades have been set up all across to prevent stampede," the Chief Minister said. A huge number of tourists have thronged to Digha in large numbers on the occasion of tourism. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after holding several rounds of meetings with the temple authorities and administration said, "Jagannath Dham is a holy pilgrimage. Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra-the three idols will be taken from the temple to the Rath tonight. The road is a little narrow. Tomorrow the pujas will start after 9.30am. The temple will remain open and pilgrims can come. The stone idols will remain in the temple. However, the Neem wood idol will be brought to the Rath tonight." Banerjee The Rath Yatra will start at 2.30 PM and offerings will be done before that. It is around one km away that the Rath will travel. We seek everyone's cooperation. "Rath Yatra is taking place for the first time in Digha's Jagannathdham Temple for the first time. The holy path I welcome everyone and urge everyone to cooperate. We have a team of entire ministers and ISKCON present here and administration. Several state ministers Indranil Sen, Chandrima Bhattacharya and Sujit Bose, Aroop Biswas have come to Digha for the occasion with the Chief Minister. The West Bengal Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya on April 30. Modelled on Puri Jagannath temple, the Jagannath Dham, has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
12 years, two lives: Man accused of murder nabbed in Delhi after skipping bail
For 12 years, Rajeev Kumar lived a lie. After jumping interim bail in 2013 while facing trial for a 2009 kidnapping and murder case, he vanished—changing several names, locations, and even marrying again to avoid detection. The 45-year-old was finally arrested on Wednesday in Prem Nagar by the Delhi Police's crime branch. Kumar had been declared a proclaimed offender after skipping bail granted for his mother's funeral. What followed was a meticulously planned vanishing act. He first fled to Nepal, where he stayed for six months, then assumed the name 'Bobby' and settled in Bengaluru. There, he created new identification documents under the false name, changed his father's name, and started life anew as a driver. He also married a local woman—never revealing his criminal past, nor that he was already married to a Nepali woman in 2009. 'He made sure to stay off the radar. It was only when he began visiting his Delhi-based family secretly once a year that we got a break,' said deputy commissioner of police (crime) Harsh Indora. Kumar's undoing came when inspector Pukhraj Singh of the crime branch's northern range-1 received a tip-off about his visit to Delhi to meet his father, first wife, and children. A trap was laid, and he was arrested. Kumar was one of three people accused in the 2009 kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Sunil Kumar in Burari. Sunil was allegedly in a relationship with Kumar's cousin and continued to pursue her even after her family arranged her marriage. On December 27, 2009, Sunil went missing. His father filed a missing person's complaint, which later turned into a murder case after Sunil's body was found. Rajeev Kumar, his father Shiv Dyal, and an associate were arrested. While the others remained in custody, Rajeev Kumar secured a 15-day bail in 2013—and never returned. 'After absconding, he severed all direct ties with his family, which made tracking him difficult. Only recently did we manage to trace his new mobile number, taken under a fake identity,' said a senior officer. Technical surveillance showed the number was active in Bengaluru, but before a team could be dispatched, the informant's tip allowed police to apprehend him in Delhi. Kumar is now back in custody, and will face trial for murder, conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ludhiana West bypoll: Non-voters barred from staying in constituency during polling period
Ludhiana: To ensure a transparent bypoll in Ludhiana West, general observer Rajeev Kumar, police observer Surinder Pal, expenditure observer Indana Ashok Kumar, and district election officer Himanshu Jain announced a set of stringent measures, including restriction on who stays within the constituency, on Monday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to an official statement, effective from 6pm on June 17 until the completion of polling on June 19, individuals who are not registered voters of the Ludhiana West assembly segment, are involved in the election process, or hold leadership positions in political parties are prohibited from staying within the constituency. This restriction aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral process by limiting external influence. "To enforce these measures, no accommodations within the Ludhiana West assembly jurisdiction, including hotels, hostels, guest houses, motels, inns, community halls, PG accommodations, or similar establishments, may house non-registered voters from other districts or states during the restricted period. The Ludhiana police, returning officer (Ludhiana West), district food, civil supplies, and excise and taxation officers have been directed to ensure compliance" the statement added. "Their duties include monitoring accommodations to prevent outsiders from staying, inspecting marriage halls and community centres for unauthorised occupants, verifying guest lists at lodges and guest houses, and setting up check posts at constituency borders to monitor vehicle movements." The DEO emphasised the need to inform all political parties, candidates, and agents about these orders to ensure transparency and adherence. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "To further ensure compliance, enforcement agencies, including Flying Squad Teams (FSTs), Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs), and excise officials, have been instructed to establish high-tech check posts, particularly during the final 72 hours before polling. All vehicles, including light vehicles and lorries, will undergo thorough inspections. The transportation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be conducted under Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) supervision in GPS-equipped vehicles with police escorts" said the statement. "Additionally, 66 micro-observers will be deployed at polling booths to closely monitor proceedings, ensuring peaceful and transparent elections. As per the Election Commission of India's directives, no opinion or exit polls may be conducted by any person, channel, or portal during the last 48 hours before polling." **Box 1:** Paid holiday DEO Himanshu Jain said a paid holiday has been declared on Thursday (June 19) to allow the voters of the Ludhiana West assembly segment to cast their votes. No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday. Further, if an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), then such employer shall be punishable with a fine. **Box 2:** Dry day In accordance with the Election Commission of India's guidelines and to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process, DEO Himanshu Jain has declared a dry day in the 64-Ludhiana-West Assembly Constituency and its 3 km adjoining area from June 17 (6pm) to June 19 (6pm). Jain also ordered the closure of country liquor and foreign liquor vends. No hotel, restaurant, club, bar, or other establishment will store, sell, or serve liquor in the area falling within the revenue limits of the Ludhiana West Assembly Constituency and 3 km adjoining area of the respective constituency. **Box 3:** No-flying zone District magistrate Himanshu Jain on Monday declared a no-flying zone within the limits of district Ludhiana until the completion of the election process to maintain law and order. In this regard, the flying of any kind of drone, etc., will be prohibited. The order has been issued in exercise of the powers vested under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), said an official statement. Jain stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, and SSP (Ludhiana Rural/Khanna) will be responsible for implementing this order. MSID:: 121884957 413 |
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Anubrata Mondal audio tape: NCW seeks action-taken report from Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar within 72 hours
The National Commission for Women (NCW) Thursday wrote to West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar regarding the purported verbal abuse of a cop in Birbhum by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal. According to the letter sent by Archana Majumdar, a member of the NCW, 'The National Commission for Women expresses deep concern over the apparent inaction by the state police in this matter, despite clear and widespread public outrage. This inaction not only emboldens such repeat offenders but also deeply undermines the morale of the police force and shakes public confidence in the neutrality and responsiveness of law enforcement agencies. You are aware that Mr Mondal has a long and well-documented history of intimidation, criminal conduct, and corruption, including arrest and custody by the CBI in previous cases.' Majumdar told media persons that 'the NCW has sought an action-taken report in the matter,' adding that 'if the wife and mother of the police officer face such a situation, then what is the condition of common citizens of the State.' The Commission has asked DGP Rajeev Kumar to submit the report within 72 hours from the time of receipt of the letter. After the audio of the telephone conversation went viral, sources said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also started a fresh probe to find out whether any witness in the cattle-smuggling case had been similarly intimidated either by Mondal or any of his associates to change their statements. Reacting to the NCW notice, TMC spokesperson Joy Prakash Majumdar said, 'The NCW now is being used for political purposes, and it is sad that they have lost their independence and impartiality. In BJP-ruled states, there are reports of enormous misconduct against women… the NCW never utters a word or interferes in such states. On the other hand, in places like West Bengal, they make political statements for the benefit of the BJP.' A week after the audio conversation between Mondal and the police officer went viral, Mondal appeared before the sub-divisional police officer recently and recorded his statement. The TMC condemned Mondal's remarks and sought an apology from him, which he promptly complied with. Meanwhile, Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has announced that a 'Nari Samman Yatra' will be held in Bolpur on June 9. Speaking on the viral audio tape, Adhikari said, 'Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had taught Mondal what to say in the police station. After Bolpur's rally on June 9, the same yatra will take place in Nadia. I am expecting at least 10,000 people to attend the rally.' Mondal was arrested in August 2022 by the CBI in connection with the multi-crore cattle-smuggling case in West Bengal. Later, he was also arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. After spending over two years in Tihar Jail in New Delhi, Mondal was released on bail recently, following which he returned to his house in Bolpur under Birbhum district.
