logo
Women hold ‘jal satyagrah' tosave Ghazipur village pond

Women hold ‘jal satyagrah' tosave Ghazipur village pond

Time of India30-07-2025
Varanasi: Scores of women, including the elderly, stood in a pond at Hariharpur village of Manihari block for over seven hours on Wednesday as part of their 'jal satyagrah' agitation.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The village is about 26 km from Ghazipur district headquarters.
The villagers were protesting to save the pond from being turned into a wastewater storage zone.
Hariharpur natives, including one Siddharth Rai, said that they were against the decision of the local body to discharge wastewater from the village and adjoining areas into the pond, which is a major waterbody in the area, through an under-construction drain.
They demanded that the district administration stop this project.
They pointed out that at a time when the Clean India campaign is in progress in the country, this clean water body of Hariharpur is being turned into a wastewater storage pond.
They started the 'Jal Satyagrah' agitation holding the photo of Mahatma Gandhi about a week ago. As no official paid attention to the agitation and their demands, they decided to stage a protest by standing in pond water from 11 am to 6 pm on Wednesday.
Women of the village joined this agitation and stood in the water for over six hours.
They threatened to observe a hunger strike from Friday if their demands are not met. During their protest, the villagers kept chanting devotional numbers. Key participants in Wednesday's protest were Nagendra Chauhan, Deepak Chauhan, Satyam Chauhan, Sanjay Ram, Amarendra Kharwar, Suraj, Chandan, Rakesh Kannaujiya, Vijay and Akhilesh.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

CPI urges government to form expert committee to release Tamil Nadu Labour Policy
CPI urges government to form expert committee to release Tamil Nadu Labour Policy

The Hindu

time13 hours ago

  • The Hindu

CPI urges government to form expert committee to release Tamil Nadu Labour Policy

The 26th State Conference of the Communist Party of India (CPI) demanded that the Tamil Nadu government release the State's Labour Policy. The four-day conference, which began on August 15 in Salem, concluded with a rally and public meeting on Monday evening. During the conference, the CPI passed several resolutions. One of the key resolutions criticised the Centre for consolidating 44 labour welfare laws into four labour codes, against which workers across the country have been protesting. Anti-labour provisions The resolution stated that the anti-labour provisions in these codes were being gradually implemented in Tamil Nadu. The CPI highlighted the lack of job regularisation in the State, noting that workers were increasingly being recruited through outsourcing in government and government-related sectors. These workers face job insecurity and receive no monetary benefits upon exit. The resolution pointed out that over 3 crore workers in the State earn around ₹12,000 as salary, and that implementing such policies under pressure from big corporates and the Centre contradicts the ideals of the 'Dravidian model' of governance. The CPI urged the State government to form an expert committee and, based on its recommendations, release the Tamil Nadu Labour Policy — similar to the release of the State Education Policy and Industrial Policy — to ensure a dignified life for workers. The party also demanded that the State government refrain from outsourcing local body work to private entities; fix minimum wages for workers in government-related sectors; ensure the safety of inter-caste couples; and implement the law preventing honour killings. The CPI strongly condemned the Union Petroleum Ministry for publishing a photo of RSS leader V.D. Savarkar alongside Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, and Subhas Chandra Bose. It demanded an apology from the Ministry and action against those responsible. Additionally, the CPI condemned the police's treatment of conservancy workers in Chennai. Defamatory statements Speaking at the public meeting, CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan criticised AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for aligning with the BJP despite previously promising not to do so. He accused Mr. Palaniswami of spreading defamatory statements against the Left parties and asserted that the AIADMK-BJP alliance would be defeated in the 2026 Assembly election. CPI general secretary D. Raja highlighted the party's history, noting that both CPI and RSS were founded in 1925. He said while the CPI fought battles during the British period for the freedom struggle, the RSS did not participate in the movement. He added that the RSS was banned following Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the organisation in his Independence Day speech. Mr. Raja called for strengthening the CPI to ensure adequate representation in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. He also criticised India's silence on the genocide in Gaza, stating that historically, India had always supported the Palestinian cause. He concluded by announcing that the CPI's national conference would soon be held in Punjab and emphasised the party's responsibility to work with democratic forces to unseat the BJP at the Centre.

‘Made in Lucknow Brahmos, drones showed Swadeshi prowess to world'
‘Made in Lucknow Brahmos, drones showed Swadeshi prowess to world'

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • Time of India

‘Made in Lucknow Brahmos, drones showed Swadeshi prowess to world'

Lucknow: BrahMos missiles and drones, which were made in Lucknow, were used in ' Operation Sindoor ' which proved the power of 'Swadeshi' technology on a global scale, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday. At Vidhan Bhawan celebration of 79th Independence Day, he greeted all and hailed the success of Operation Sindoor. "Recently, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through Operation Sindoor, the country has seen the successful implementation of Bharat's 'saamarthya' (strength) and 'shakti' (power)," Yogi said. He expressed gratitude to soldiers defending the nation's borders and to personnel ensuring internal security after independence. "I salute all those brave jawans, who despite adverse circumstances routed the enemy, and secured the unity and integrity of India," he said. Yogi said that the missiles and drones used in Operation Sindoor not only proved India's defence capabilities but also demonstrated the power of Swadeshi technology on a global scale. The CM emphasised that independence is not arrogance or unrestrained freedom, but a grand festival for every citizen and every resident of Uttar Pradesh must fulfil their duties. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and hoisted the national flag at his official residence in Lucknow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "India's independence is the result of the unwavering sacrifices and struggles of Mahatma Gandhi and countless revolutionaries who united the country from North to South and East to West in the fight for freedom," he said. "Independence Day is not merely a celebration but also an occasion to awaken national consciousness and renew our commitment to duty," he said. He said that under PM Modi's leadership, India was moving towards Viksit Bharat goal. "The Constitution, now in its Amrit Kaal, has played a crucial role in upholding social justice, fraternity, and equality, binding the nation together through both favorable and challenging times," he said. Yogi highlighted UP's 'One District, One Product' initiative and said that it was taking forward PM's 'Vocal for Local' campaign. The CM urged people to adopt Swadeshi as a way of life. He said adopting Swadeshi products would keep the nation's wealth within the country, benefiting artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs. He urged people to buy Swadeshi gifts and daily-use items to boost India's economic prosperity. "This day is a moment to express gratitude to the martyrs and draw inspiration for building a self-reliant India. Every UP resident must remain dedicated to duties and work towards realizing the dream of a developed nation," he said. The UP CM said that the sacrifices of revolutionaries, freedom fighters, and brave soldiers freed the country from centuries of slavery. "In 2014, India was the world's 11th largest economy, and it has now become the 4th largest economy," he said. "Before 2017, UP was plagued by lawlessness, riots, and insecurity. Women, traders, and common citizens were not safe. But, in the past eight years, UP has introduced a new model of security," Yogi said, adding that the state was riot-free and had emerged as a symbol of good governance. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

North Block is leaving the building, with files, stationery and nostalgia
North Block is leaving the building, with files, stationery and nostalgia

Indian Express

time2 days ago

  • Indian Express

North Block is leaving the building, with files, stationery and nostalgia

In its 94-year existence, North Block has seen a lot. It was the seat of power of the colonial British government, the site of spontaneous celebrations when India became Independent in 1947, and, ever since, has been a witness to successive governments shaping policy for the nation. These days, however, the corridors of the building are nearly deserted, with sections roped off, and locks hanging on doors that till recently hid a flurry of activity. The building is in the process of being emptied as part of the government's plan to redevelop the Central Vista area – the stretch from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan. North Block now is to be repurposed as a museum, with key ministries that have operated out of it since 1931 when its construction finished – including Union Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance, and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) – to be moved to a set of 'Kartavya Bhawan' buildings down the road. However, the work of shifting a government can't be hurried up. And in this case is being coordinated by a ministry – Housing and Urban Affairs, which is also spearheading the Central Vista redevelopment. Other ministries have appointed a nodal officer each for the exercise, which began around a month ago. Under their watch, files are being sorted into marked boxes, computers are being packed, and office supplies are going into cardboard containers. Artwork, including many, many photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, is being bubble-wrapped. The packing is being done by office staff, aided by a team of workers hired for the job. Once packed, the boxes are carried by workers down the stairs to a side entrance, and loaded onto tempos and government cars. These then cover the short distance to the new address. An official working in North Block says the move has been fairly smooth so far, particularly when it comes to files, given that nearly all, save the sensitive ones, are now on the government's E-Office portal. Officials in the know say the DoPT has almost entirely moved out. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Prime Ministers' Office, Science and Technology and Personnel, is expected to shift soon, sources said. The Home Ministry has been allotted Kartavya Bhawan 3, and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and the Intelligence Bureau were some of the first ones to shift. According to sources, the shifting of some offices to KB3, as the building is referred to, began before its formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 6. The Finance Ministry, however, is yet to begin shifting. An officer in the middle of shifting says: 'I'm soaking in the last few days at this building. Many of my former colleagues who have worked here have been dropping by to see the offices one last time.' Like the South Block that stands across it, North Block, designed by British architect Herbert Baker in red sandstone, incorporating Indian features like jaali, chajja and chhattri, is as much a regal structure as a functional one, with plenty of light and ventilation. The new buildings, in comparison, look like any modern corporate office, with glass cabins for officers, open plan seating for most employees and access-control systems. Offices in the South Block, which houses the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, have not started moving out yet. Once both the buildings are emptied, they are to be restored and refurbished, before reopening as Yuge Yugeen National Museum. The government claims it will be the largest museum in the world. The 'charm' of North Block is what those who have worked here keep coming back to in conversations. G K Pillai, who spent seven years in North Block, first as Joint Secretary from 1996 to 2001 and then as Union Home Secretary from 2009 to 2011, recalls the sense of history that permeates the rooms. 'Stalwarts, including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, worked here. Old-timers would tell us about important meetings that took place in the past,' Pillai, who is now retired, says. The former IAS officer adds that he personally believes that not all the ministries from North Block and South Block should have been shifted to the new quarters. 'Some of them could have stayed. The next generation of officers will lose that sense of history,' says Pillai. Durga Shanker Mishra, a 1984-batch IAS officer who retired as Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary last year, recalls his time in a ground-floor North Block office as Director (Personnel) in the Home Ministry in 2002-2004. 'I have good memories of that office. Though I was a director in Home, I had been given a room on the Finance Ministry's side. It was a well-sized room.' However, Mishra says: 'As is the case with old buildings, there were challenges. It needed more maintenance over the years.' As Secretary, Housing and Urban Affairs, Mishra was, in fact, part of the deliberations when the Central Vista project was planned and started. He says the new Central Secretariat buildings will change the way the government works, in terms of efficiency and coordination. In fact, while senior officers – who along with ministers had large airy offices – are understandably nostalgic about the high-ceilinged large rooms that they are leaving behind, not all in the North Block will regret the change. A majority of its employees worked in cramped spaces, with partitions created within dingy rooms to accommodate more officials over the years. Mezzanine levels were also added to create space, with the temporary additions doubling the number of rooms in both North and South Blocks over the years. A section official says: 'We are looking forward to the new building. I've heard that the canteen is very nice.' But true to form, the open-plan layout of the new Secretariat also has its share of detractors. On August 5, the Central Secretariat Service Forum, which represents around 13,000 employees, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister's Office expressing concerns about 'the lack of privacy and confidentiality' in the new arrangement.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store