Wayanad, Kerala — In one of the most catastrophic natural disasters to hit Kerala, at least 123 people have been confirmed dead, and 128 others injured, following massive landslides triggered by torrential rains in Wayanad on Tuesday. The disaster has left hundreds trapped under debris, prompting an urgent and large-scale rescue operation by various agencies.

Heart-Wrenching Scenes Emerge

The landslides, which struck early Tuesday morning, devastated the picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. Eyewitnesses reported heart-wrenching scenes of people trapped in their homes, desperately pleading for rescue. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the situation as one of the most severe natural disasters Kerala has ever faced.

Details of the Destruction

Chief Minister Vijayan provided an update at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, revealing that 93 bodies had been recovered as of the latest report. Rescue teams have so far identified 34 bodies, with 18 having been handed over to their relatives. The floodwaters and landslides have caused extensive damage, including the destruction of the Vellarimala GHSS school and the splitting of the Iruvazhinjipuzha river.

Ongoing Rescue Operations

Rescue efforts are being led by the Army, Navy, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with additional resources from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre and the Territorial Army. The Indian Air Force has dispatched helicopters to aid in evacuations, and the Navy’s River Crossing Team has been deployed to assist in the rescue operations.

Government and Relief Efforts

In response to the tragedy, the Kerala Government has established 45 relief camps, housing over 3,000 displaced individuals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his concern and assured all possible help from the Centre. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh has been announced for the families of the deceased, with Rs 50,000 allocated for those injured.

Political and Community Response

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress leaders, are scheduled to visit the affected areas on Wednesday morning. Their visit is expected to bring additional attention and support to the region.

Wayanad’s Demographics and Economy

Wayanad, known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and vibrant waterfalls, has a population of approximately 817,000 according to the 2011 census. The district is renowned for its agricultural economy, focusing on crops such as coffee, tea, pepper, and cardamom. The disaster has not only disrupted lives but also posed a severe impact on the local economy.

The rescue operations continue as authorities strive to reach those still trapped and to mitigate the impacts of this unprecedented natural calamity.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has unanimously passed the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, which introduces stringent penalties for those involved in organized cheating during public examinations. The Bill stipulates severe punishments, including life imprisonment and fines ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

The newly approved legislation aims to address and deter malpractices within the public examination system by imposing harsh penalties on individuals involved in cheating, whether they are directly participating in or facilitating such activities. The Bill also mandates that cases under this legislation be investigated by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

The Bill was debated in the Assembly, with opposition parties calling for it to be reviewed by a Select Committee. However, this demand was rejected, and the Bill was passed through a voice vote.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the gravity of examination malpractices, describing them as a significant injustice to young candidates. “The injustice done to our youth through these malpractices is akin to a national sin. The state government is committed to taking decisive action against those who jeopardize the future of aspiring youths in Uttar Pradesh,” he stated.

The primary objective of the Bill is to enhance transparency and integrity within the public examination process, ensuring that students and competitive examinees can trust that their efforts will be evaluated fairly. The legislation will not hold students or examinees criminally responsible, focusing instead on penalizing those who orchestrate or facilitate cheating.

The Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, is set to come into force on July 15, 2024, once it receives the President’s assent. The new law is expected to strengthen the credibility of public examinations and assure candidates of a fair and unbiased evaluation process.

New Delhi, July 31: Former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan will assume the role of Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) effective August 1, according to a government official. Sudan, who is currently serving as a member of the Commission, will replace Manoj Soni, who recently resigned from the position due to “personal reasons.”

Sudan’s appointment comes after Manoj Soni’s resignation, which was announced despite his tenure being set to end in 2029. Soni had been a UPSC member since 2017 and was sworn in as Chairperson on May 16, 2023. His early resignation follows a period of controversy involving the UPSC, specifically regarding allegations of candidates using fake certificates to secure employment. However, sources have clarified that Soni’s resignation is not connected to the ongoing controversy surrounding trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of forging identity papers and a disability certificate to gain entry into the service.

Preeti Sudan will serve as UPSC Chairperson until April 2025, at which point she will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65. The UPSC, established under Article 315-323 of Part XIV Chapter II of the Constitution of India, is a constitutional body responsible for conducting various examinations on behalf of the Union government. This includes the prestigious civil services examinations, which are used to appoint candidates to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Central Services – Group A and Group B.

The Commission, headed by a Chairperson and comprising up to 10 members, plays a crucial role in the recruitment and selection processes for numerous high-level government positions

In a sharp critique of the Modi administration, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, condemned the substantial penalties imposed by public sector banks on customers for not maintaining an average monthly balance. His remarks followed revelations that these banks had collected approximately Rs 8,500 crore in penalties over the past five years.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Gandhi denounced the “penalty system” as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s metaphorical “chakravyuh” — a strategic trap aimed at financially burdening ordinary Indians. He highlighted that while the government had forgiven Rs 16 lakh crore of debt for industrialists, it has extracted Rs 8,500 crore from the pockets of everyday citizens unable to maintain a minimum balance.

Gandhi drew an analogy with the ancient Mahabharat battle formation, asserting that the current political climate mirrors the oppressive ‘chakravyuh’ strategy designed to entrap and exploit the common people. He vowed that the opposition alliance, INDIA, would counter these measures and advocate for a legal guarantee of minimum support prices (MSP) and a caste census.

Emphasizing his point, Gandhi likened the government’s actions to the fate of Abhimanyu in the Mahabharat, asserting that India’s current situation under Modi’s leadership is akin to being trapped in a modern-day ‘chakravyuh,’ symbolized by the BJP’s lotus emblem.