Manika Batra Shocks World No. 14 Szocs to Reach WTT Champions Quarterfinals
Centre Appoints 29 New Joint Secretaries Across Various Departments
- Praveen Kumar Rai and Rakesh Kumar Pandey from IDAS, along with Rajesh Gupta from IRSEE, who will serve as joint secretaries in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Raj Kumar, a 1999-batch IA&AS officer, has been designated as Director (Finance) for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) under the Ministry of Home Affairs for a tenure of five years.
- Deepak Agarwal, a 2000-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed Managing Director at the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
- IAS officers Chauhan Sarita Chand and P Bala Kiran will serve as Joint Secretaries in the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances and the Department of Personnel & Training, respectively.
- Bhavna Saxena, a 1996-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, has been appointed CEO of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
- Anjan Kumar Mishra, a 1998-batch Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) officer, will serve as Secretary of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
- Niraj Kumar, a Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officer, will take on the role of Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
- Kesang Yangzom Sherpa, a 1995-batch IRS officer, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
- Premjit Lal has been designated as Executive Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), while Balamurugan D and Rama Shankar Sinha have been appointed Joint Secretaries in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, respectively.
- Senior bureaucrats Rajat Agarwal and Ved Prakash Mishra will serve as joint secretaries in the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
Mehbooba Mufti Dissolves PDP Leadership Structure; Fresh Appointments Pending Senior Consultations
SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has announced the immediate dissolution of the party’s entire organizational structure. Sources reveal that new office bearers, along with various wings and committees, will be appointed following consultations with senior party leaders.
The announcement was made on Friday at the JKPDP headquarters in Srinagar. This decision follows the recent assembly elections held in the Union Territory, after which Mehbooba congratulated the National Conference-Congress alliance for securing the “people’s mandate.”
“The people have given a clear mandate, leaving no room for interference or manipulation,” Mehbooba stated, emphasizing that if the election had led to a hung assembly, certain “tricks” could have been employed to disrupt the people’s decision. “I am pleased with the way people have voted. There’s no chance for anyone to meddle now,” she added.
In the assembly elections, the National Conference emerged as the leading party with 42 seats, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party with 29 seats, Congress with 6, and PDP with 3 seats.
“I extend my congratulations to the National Conference-Congress leadership for their decisive victory and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for supporting a stable government,” Mehbooba expressed during a press conference. She highlighted the difficult circumstances faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir since August 5, 2019, and the pressing need for a stable administration.
Additionally, Mehbooba thanked PDP leaders and workers for their dedication throughout the campaign. “I am grateful to our PDP workers and leaders who persisted despite challenges. I urge them not to lose hope,” she said.
The assembly elections were conducted in three phases on September 18, September 26, and October 1, filling all 90 seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
Cyclone Rains Devastate 1.75 Lakh Acres of Crops, Submerge 2.8 Lakh Acres in Odisha: Government Report
Bhubaneswar, Oct 26 : Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana has inflicted significant damage on Odisha’s agriculture, impacting an estimated 1.75 lakh acres of standing crops and submerging another 2.8 lakh acres, according to preliminary government estimates.
The state has ordered a joint assessment of the damage by agriculture and revenue department officials, Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Arabinda Padhi said in a post on X. “Preliminary reports indicate around 1,75,000 acres of crops may be damaged, while approximately 2,80,000 acres remain submerged,” Padhi stated, adding that field teams will survey crop loss exceeding 33% under district collector supervision.
During a review meeting, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi noted that a detailed damage assessment would determine appropriate compensation for affected farmers. He also confirmed that roughly 8 lakh residents were evacuated to cyclone shelters, with many now safely returning home as conditions improve.
The cyclone disrupted power to around 22.42 lakh homes, of which power has been restored to 14.8 lakh households, with restoration efforts continuing in the remaining areas. Energy Department Principal Secretary Hemant Shara is overseeing recovery operations in the severely impacted districts of Kendrapara and Bhadrak.
Cyclone Dana made landfall early Friday between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara and Dhamra in Bhadrak, bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 110 kmph. The storm caused extensive damage to crops, infrastructure, and power networks in both Odisha and West Bengal.
India Condemns Pakistan’s Predictable Kashmir Rhetoric at UN
New York [US], Oct 26 : India sharply criticized Pakistan for raising the Kashmir issue during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate, calling it a “mischievous provocation” and accusing Islamabad of relying on its “tested tactic of spreading misinformation.” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, dismissed Pakistan’s remarks as “political propaganda” during the UNSC debate focused on “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment.”
“It is despicable, yet entirely predictable, that one delegation has indulged in this provocation based on their pride and strategy of disinformation,” Harish stated, emphasizing the plight of minority women in Pakistan. He referenced data indicating that nearly 1,000 women from minority communities face abduction, forced conversion, and marriages each year.
India’s envoy expressed gratitude to Switzerland for hosting the debate and reiterated India’s commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. He also highlighted India’s role in peacekeeping, noting the deployment of the first all-female police unit in Liberia in 2007, and acknowledged Indian women peacekeepers’ recognition in the UN, including Major Radhika Sen and Major Suman Gawani.
Highlighting domestic strides, Harish spoke on the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in 2023, reserving one-third of seats in national and state legislatures for women. He cited the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in Gujarat as an example of empowering women in the informal sector.
Looking forward, Harish stressed the need for new technologies to enhance women’s participation while tackling online threats. He reaffirmed India’s dedication to increasing female representation in peacekeeping and fostering inclusive, gender-equal initiatives globally.
Gulmarg Terror Attack Claims Two More Soldiers, Death Toll Reaches Four
Srinagar, Oct 25 – Two soldiers who were critically injured in Thursday’s terror attack near Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll from the ambush to four.
The attack, which targeted an Army vehicle traveling to the Nagin post in the Afrawat range, left two Army porters dead on Thursday and critically injured another porter and a soldier. According to officials, the attack occurred in the Bota Pathri area, approximately six kilometers from Gulmarg in Baramulla district. The terrorists reportedly opened fire on the vehicle in the evening, prompting the soldiers to retaliate.
The area, predominantly controlled by the Army, was recently opened to tourists, though officials had reported earlier this year that a terrorist group may have infiltrated and taken refuge in the higher reaches of the Afrawat range.
Expressing his concern over the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the recent wave of attacks in the Valley alarming. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The attack on Army vehicles in Bota Pathri is very unfortunate, resulting in casualties and injuries. This recent spate of attacks in Kashmir is a serious concern.” He condemned the incident, offering condolences to the families of those killed and praying for the recovery of the injured.
Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack. Meanwhile, Ravinder Raina, the BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir president, attributed the violence to Pakistan’s attempts to destabilize the peace in the Union Territory.
The attack occurs amid a spike in terror incidents in the Valley. Earlier in the week, a deadly assault on the Z-Morh tunnel construction site in Ganderbal district left six non-local laborers and a local doctor dead. Prior incidents included the October 18 killing of a laborer from Bihar in Shopian and the shooting of a laborer from Uttar Pradesh in Pulwama.
Security forces remain vigilant as the Valley continues to face renewed threats and attempts to destabilize the region.
NDRF and ODRAF Teams Begin Clearing Uprooted Trees
Bhubaneswar, Oct 25 – NDRF and ODRAF teams have commenced restoration efforts by clearing uprooted trees from roads in the coastal districts of Odisha, as the landfall process of severe cyclonic storm Dana continues, according to an official report.
As of 8:23 AM, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that the landfall process was still ongoing, with the rear sector of the cyclone making landfall. “The landfall process will continue for the next 1-2 hours, and the system is expected to move nearly northwest across northern Odisha, gradually weakening into a cyclonic storm by the forenoon of October 25,” the IMD stated. The situation is being closely monitored by Doppler radar in Paradip.
Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who is overseeing Bhadrak district, reported no casualties thus far. “There have been no reports of casualties. However, extensive damage has occurred to electrical installations due to fallen trees, and efforts are underway to clear the roads,” he noted.
Despite facing heavy rainfall and gusty winds in the Dhamra area of Bhadrak district, the NDRF and ODRAF teams have begun their work. Ajay Mohanty, the Tehsildar of Rajnagar in Kendrapara district, mentioned that the Bhitarkanika area has experienced minimal damage, primarily consisting of uprooted trees and some thatched houses. “Wind speeds have decreased to between 80 to 90 km/h, but the rain continues to affect the area,” Mohanty added, noting that seawater had entered certain water bodies and low-lying regions during Thursday night’s tidal surge.
Chandabali in Bhadrak recorded the highest rainfall, measuring 131.6 mm over the past six hours, followed by Balasore with 42.8 mm, an official reported. Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is actively reviewing the cyclone situation at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner.
The coastal districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, and the nearby Jagatsinghpur district have experienced a surge in wind speeds, reaching between 100 to 110 km/h, along with extremely heavy rainfall during the cyclone’s landfall process.
In related developments, authorities at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar have announced the resumption of flight operations following improvements in weather conditions. The airport had suspended operations from 5 PM on Thursday due to the cyclone’s landfall. Additionally, the Indian Railways cancelled over two hundred trains in anticipation of the storm’s impact.
Forces Initiate Combing Operations Along LoC Following Gulmarg Terror Attack
Srinagar, Oct 25 – In response to the recent terror attack in the Gulmarg sector of Jammu and Kashmir that left four people dead, including two soldiers, security forces have launched a significant search operation along the Line of Control (LoC).
Officials reported that the combing operation is being conducted near the attack site and along the LoC, with routes surrounding the area sealed off. Security personnel are utilizing both human and technical intelligence to locate and neutralize the terrorists responsible for the attack. Senior police and Army officers are supervising the operation.
The attack occurred on Thursday when terrorists opened fire on an Army vehicle approximately six kilometers from the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg in Baramulla district. In addition to the two soldiers killed, two Army porters also lost their lives, while another porter and a soldier sustained injuries.
According to officials, the assault took place in the Bota Pathri area as the Army vehicle was en route to the Nagin post in the Afrawat range. This region is under heavy military presence, and there have been recent reports of a terrorist group infiltrating during the early summer months, taking refuge in the higher elevations of the Afrawat range.
Notably, the Bota Pathri area had only recently been opened to tourists. The prestigious High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), where Army personnel receive specialized training before being deployed to challenging environments such as the Siachen Glacier, is located just a few kilometers from the attack site.
As the search operations continue, security forces are determined to ensure the safety of the region and prevent further incidents.
Cyclone Dana Successfully Completes Landfall Process, Reports IMD
Bhubaneswar, Oct 25 – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed on Friday morning that the landfall process of the severe cyclonic storm Dana has been completed. The system took approximately eight and a half hours to fully make its way onto the landmass.
According to the IMD’s hourly bulletin, the landfall process commenced around 12:05 AM on Thursday and concluded at approximately 8:30 AM on Friday. When it made landfall, Cyclone Dana hit with wind speeds reaching 110 km/h but has since weakened and transformed into a cyclonic storm.
As of now, the cyclone is located about 50 km north-northwest of Dhamra and 30 km northeast of Bhadrak town. The maximum sustained wind speeds around the center of the cyclone are reported to be between 80 km/h and 90 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 100 km/h.
The IMD predicts that the cyclone will continue to move northwest across northern Odisha and gradually weaken into a deep depression within the next six hours. The situation is being closely monitored using the Doppler weather radar located in Paradip.
IndusInd Bank Shares Plummet 17%, Market Capitalization Shrinks by ₹15,572 Crore Due to Disappointing Earnings
New Delhi, Oct 25 – Shares of IndusInd Bank plunged nearly 17% on Friday morning, hitting a 52-week low after the bank reported a 40% decline in net profit for the quarter ending September 2024. The bank’s net profit dropped to ₹1,331 crore, down from ₹2,202 crore in the same quarter last year.
On the BSE, the stock tumbled 16%, reaching a 52-week low of ₹1,073, while on the NSE, it fell by 16.72% to ₹1,066. This sharp decline in share value wiped out ₹15,572.07 crore from the company’s market capitalization, which now stands at ₹84,053.35 crore. IndusInd Bank emerged as the biggest laggard among Sensex and Nifty firms.
Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was down by 388.99 points at 79,676.17, and the Nifty dropped 163.60 points to 24,244.20.
Despite a rise in total income to ₹14,871 crore during the September 2024 quarter, up from ₹13,530 crore a year earlier, the bank’s asset quality deteriorated. Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) increased to 2.11% of gross advances, compared to 1.93% in the same period last year. Net NPAs also rose to 0.64%, up from 0.57% a year ago, signaling a rise in bad loans.
The disappointing earnings and worsening asset quality led to the steep decline in the bank’s stock price.