Latest news with #Agama
Mint
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Flight spotted over Tirupati's Tirumala Temple sparks outrage, TTD urges centre declare it as 'No-fly zone'
A low-altitude flight of an aircraft over the Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala has sparked outrage among the devotees in Andhra Pradesh, as they voiced their concerns over the violation of the temple's sanctity, reported News18. According to the report, which quoted Agama Shastra, any kind of aircraft, helicopters, drones, and other aerial vehicles are strictly prohibited from flying over the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. Meanwhile, videos of an aircraft flying over the Tirumala temple went viral on social media. It sparked a debate over the Centre's inaction in declaring the area a no-fly zone. A temple official stated that these overflights violate religious traditions and pose serious security concerns for the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Vigilance and Security Wing. Earlier in March this year, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu wrote to Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and requested him to declare Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh as a no-fly zone. It is to be known that Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu also serves as an MP from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam constituency. BR Naidu in his letter wrote that the Tirumala shrine should be accorded no-fly zone status in accordance with Agama Shastra. 'The Tirumala temple holds immense spiritual value for millions of devotees who visit the shrine every year. According to traditional Agama regulations, the sanctity of the temple is paramount, and any disturbance in its vicinity, including aerial movements, is believed to adversely affect the spiritual environment," News18 quoted the TTD Chairman as writing in his letter to the Union Minister. BR Naidu also requested the Union Minister to take swift action to safeguard the sanctity of the Tirumala shrine.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Mangaluru Researcher Awarded PhD for Groundbreaking Study on Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
MANGALURU: Dr. Shivani U has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by NITTE (Deemed to be University) for her pioneering research on Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), a rare form of blood cancer. Her thesis, titled 'A Study to Determine the Clinical, Haematological, Cytogenetic and Molecular Profile in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Patients,' was successfully defended on May 8, 2025. Dr. Shivani's study offers a comprehensive assessment of CML, integrating clinical data with haematological, cytogenetic, and molecular analyses—an approach that could contribute to improved diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease. Her doctoral research was conducted under the guidance of Dr. D. Prashanth Shetty, former Professor and Coordinator of the KSHEMA Centre for Genetic Services at K.S. Hegde Medical Academy. Dr. Shetty currently serves as a Professor at the Srinivas Institute of Allied Health Sciences under Srinivas University. The doctoral committee included Dr. Reshma A. Shetty (Assistant Professor, KSHEMA Centre for Genetic Services), Dr. Vijith Shetty (Professor, Department of Oncology), and Dr. Suchetha Kumari N. (Professor, Department of Biochemistry, KSHEMA), who evaluated and supported the research work. A native of Mangaluru, Dr. Shivani is an alumna of local institutions and is known for her academic diligence. She is the daughter of Bhanukala Uday, student section head at KMC Mangalore, and Uday Kumar, formerly on staff at KMC Attavar. She will receive her doctoral degree at NITTE University's forthcoming convocation. (eom) [9:11 PM, 5/21/2025] +91 94483 00454: ಕಳಸ ಬಸದಿ ಪಂಚ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾ ಮಹೋತ್ಸವ ತಾ 18.5.2025 ರಿಂದ ತಾ. 22.5.2025 ರ ವರೆಗೆ. [9:11 PM, 5/21/2025] +91 94483 00454: KALASA, Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka: A historic Jain temple dedicated to Sri Chandranath Tirthankara, Sri Jwalamalini Devi, Sri Parshwanath Tirthankara, and Sri Padmavati Devi has been meticulously restored in Kalasa. Reconstructed entirely in granite as per Agama traditions, the temple recently witnessed the sacred Panchakalyana Mahotsava. The ceremony was graced by Munishri Gunabhadra Maharaj and his sangha, with spiritual guidance and blessings from Karkala Seer Lalitakeerthi Bhattaraka. Bhattarakas from Hombuja, Sonda, and Shravanabelagola also participated. Philanthropist Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade visited the site for darshana. The renovation was made possible through the collective efforts of local devotees, breathing new life into an ancient spiritual landmark.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
SC allows TN to appoint priests in non-Agama temples in state
Amid the ongoing debate sparked by the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, about the extent to which the state can interfere in a community's religious affairs, the Supreme Court has allowed the Tamil Nadu government to appoint 'archakas' (priests) to the state's temples not governed by Agama tradition. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, in an order dated May 14 and made available Tuesday, allowed the state to fill the vacancies in non-Agama temples after a committee set up on the orders of the Madras HC completes its task of identifying the number of Agama temples in the state. The state said the identification exercise is expected to be completed within three months. Agama temples are built and maintained according to ritual and traditions outlined in the Agamas, a collection of Hindu scriptures. On August 22, 2022, while hearing a batch of petitions by the All India Adi Saiva Sivacharyargal Seva Sangam and others, the HC had directed the state to constitute a five-member committee to 'identify the temples constructed as per Agamas' so that the archakas can be appointed accordingly and as per the the SC's 1972 order in Seshammal and Others vs State of Tamil Nadu. In the Seshammal judgment, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the SC had said the appointment of archakas was a secular function. Incidentally, the Centre has cited this judgment in its counter-affidavit filed before the SC justifying the 2025 amendments to the Waqf Act — pointing out that the top court had said 'that because the archaka owes his appointment to a purportedly secular authority [the board or trustees], the act of his appointment would be essentially secular and merely because the said archakas perform a religious function it cannot be said that the appointment is a part of a religious practice or a matter of religion.' The petitioners before the HC had challenged the TN government's decision to appoint those who had undergone a one-year certificate course for archakas, in the state's temples. They contended this went against rituals outlined in the Agamas. In its order, the HC had also said that the appointment of archakas in Agama temples can be challenged as and when the state makes those appointments, according to Advocate G Balaji, lawyer for a petitioner. This was challenged before the SC, with the petitioners telling the top court that despite rulings by the SC and the Madras HC, the state government, 'in scant regard for law, are now attempting to appoint non-believers as archakas, only with a view to destroy the temples in Tamil Nadu'. They added, 'it is well settled that a secular government does not have the power to interfere with the essential religious practices, as such right is well protected under the Constitution of India. Agamas undoubtedly pertains to an essential religious practice, which cannot be tampered with by a secular government'. Issuing notice in the matter on September 25, 2023, the SC had ordered status quo regarding the appointment of archakas in Agama temples. The matter was taken up again for hearing by the bench of Justices Sundresh and Bindal on May 14, 2025. Appearing for a writ petitioner, Senior Advocate Guru Krishnakumar objected to the appointment of one of the nominated members in the identification committee. The TN government then assured that the official 'would be replaced with a non-controversial person'. Ananthakrishnan G. is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express. He has been in the field for over 23 years, kicking off his journalism career as a freelancer in the late nineties with bylines in The Hindu. A graduate in law, he practised in the District judiciary in Kerala for about two years before switching to journalism. His first permanent assignment was with The Press Trust of India in Delhi where he was assigned to cover the lower courts and various commissions of inquiry. He reported from the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India during his first stint with The Indian Express in 2005-2006. Currently, in his second stint with The Indian Express, he reports from the Supreme Court and writes on topics related to law and the administration of justice. Legal reporting is his forte though he has extensive experience in political and community reporting too, having spent a decade as Kerala state correspondent, The Times of India and The Telegraph. He is a stickler for facts and has several impactful stories to his credit. ... Read More
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Shun investment schemes parading only CAC, EFCC certificates — SEC warns
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama has warned Nigerians to beware of firms that claim that the registration of their companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)and SCUML certificate from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have empowered them to operate investment schemes in Nigeria. Agama said this during an interview with journalists on Wednesday at the sidelines of a sensitisation tour against Ponzi scheme held at the Garki Market in Abuja. He said it was disheartening that some Nigerians and foreign companies have specialised in defrauding Nigerians through Ponzi Schemes, adding that the government will no longer sit back and watch billions of naira taken away from the people through ponzi schemes. The SEC DG said it is crucial that Nigerians understand the dangers of putting their hard-earned money into ventures that are not registered or regulated by the SEC. Agama said, 'It is disheartening that some Nigerians and foreign accompanies have specialised in duping Nigerians and govt won't sit and watch Nigerians being duped and this is what SEC is coming out to the people to educate them that if it too good to be true, then watch out. 'We have seen many Ponzi schemes in the past, and the Investments and Securities Act had been signed into law by the President and the law recommends N20m fine and 10 years imprisonment for offenders of Ponzi Scheme. 'So, that has empowered us to be in a better position to flush out all these fraudulent investment schemes that are damaging our economy 'We are using this sensitisation outreach to bring information to our people and that is why we are here and telling them that we are here to assist them to confirm legitimate investment schemes and we are letting them know we feel their pain. 'As we are doing this, we have helped to educate them against being duped. CAC registration and EFCC certificate is not enough to show that the company is registered with SEC and these are red flags. 'Training programmes being organised by these people to lure people into their schemes are also illegal. Verify before you invest in any scheme, and that is our message to Nigerians.' Also speaking to journalists,the Assistant Director, Enforcement Department, SEC, Tope Onwionoko, said the management of the Commission is very passionate about financial literacy, especially with respect to Ponzi schemes that have become a scourge in society of late. She said, ' So, we want everybody to know about it, from the oldest to the youngest, from the rich to the poor. We want the message to go round the entire Nigeria. And as a start off point, management decided that it's a good thing to come to the market, because we know the place the people who trade in the market hold in the economy. 'So, we feel that we should bring this message to them, hoping that they will understand what to look out for, what the red flags are, and by the time we are done, the people that perpetuate Ponzi in Nigeria, they will carry their bags and leave, because it will no longer be business as usual. 'The people who fall victims are usually people who are not knowledgeable about how Ponzi schemes work. So, I think that for the most of them, it is lack of knowledge, essentially. ' And of course, we want to believe that economic hardship has a part to play. But more than anything, is lack of knowledge. Because even if you are hard up for cash in the economy, and there is an opportunity for you to lose the small that you have, you won't go there. 'So I think it's because people don't know what to look out for. They don't know that somebody is attempting to collect what is in their hand. That's why they fall victim.'Show trimmed content. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: SEC urges co-operation among African markets on development
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has urged greater cooperation among African markets to strengthen interconnections within the continent and enhance the development of new financial products. The Director General of the SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, made the call on Monday during a visit by the SEC Board to the Autorité Marocaine du Marché des Capitaux (AMMC – Moroccan Capital Market Authority) in Rabat. Agama emphasised the need for African nations to collaborate and invest in each other's markets to foster growth, stating: 'We need to cooperate in Africa, invest in each other's market and grow our continent. We want to build collaboration so that as Africans we can have a focus and build a strong interconnection. The time is now for us to look inwards.' He highlighted Morocco's expertise in Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) and the need for Nigerians to leverage its benefits: 'We are aware of your strength in Collective Investment Schemes and we know we can learn a lot from you. The population of Nigeria is huge and we need people to understand the huge benefits in CIS and how they can key into it.' 'We appreciate the strength of the Moroccan economy and structure and we want to see what role the capital market has played in all of this,' he stated. Head of External Relations at SEC Nigeria, Efe Ebelo, said in a statement that Agama emphasised the importance of the capital market as the nerve centre of the economy, highlighting its role in wealth creation and quality of life improvement. According to him: 'The capital market is an enabler to the development of the economy and we believe there is so much to learn from Morocco to help strengthen our own market. We are excited about what the future holds for us and how we can forge a common front.' Agama also noted the benefits of CIS in Morocco and the mutual learning opportunities available: 'We are happy about the progress of CIS in Morocco and we want to learn from you and also tell you about our experience because there is a lot to gain. Our relationship and integration will go a long way in building both markets and make life better for our citizens. We encourage governments to use long-term capital for long-term projects.' He emphasised the capital market's role in financing infrastructure development: 'The capital market is the solution to raising funds for long-term infrastructure development. We see the capital market as a solution provider to move the economy forward. We want to make Africa better and a destination of choice. We want to jointly work with other regulators to achieve it.' Chairperson and CEO of the Moroccan Capital Market Authority, Ms Nezha Hayat, welcomed the collaboration between the two regulators, noting the evolving nature of the capital market: 'Capital market has now diversified so much, but for us everything goes through mutual funds. We think CIS is very important because people put their money in funds that are regulated and are controlled. People have more access through CIS. It is key to encourage the truth of any market.' She underscored the need for market integration and dual listings: 'I believe in an integrated market so cooperation is better. We are interested in dual listing; we will soon be authorizing funds in foreign currency which means the mutual funds can also be invested in foreign countries. We have a special focus on Nigeria, which will be one of the markets where this will happen. We need to deploy initiatives that will focus on developing our continent,' she added. Chairman of the SEC Nigeria Board, Mr Mairiga Katuka, reaffirmed the Commission's interest in learning from other jurisdictions to improve Nigeria's capital market. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
