Latest news with #Chitta
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Punjab's most notorious and feared drug lord has been put behind bars, claims AAP supremo Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said 'the most notorious and feared drug lord' in Punjab has been put behind bars by the government in the State. Mr. Kejriwal was addressing a gathering at Shaheed Udham Singh Wala town in Sunam (Sangrur district), where he, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, paid floral tributes to iconic revolutionary and freedom fighter Udham Singh in a state-level function to commemorate his 86th martyrdom day. He said previous regimes ruined Punjab by spreading the curse of drugs and corruption. Mr. Kejriwal said, 'No one had ever dared to touch this influential political leader, who was instrumental in introducing and spreading the drug in the State,' he said, according to an official government statement. In his address, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann alleged that those in power during previous regimes had misused the freedom to spread the tentacles of 'Chitta' (drugs), amass wealth by plundering the masses, encouraging corruption along with other menaces. The foundation stone of projects worth around ₹85 crore to give a facelift to Shaheed Udham Singh Wala town was laid during the event.
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers in Erode urged to enrol for crop insurance
The district administration has urged farmers to enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the Kharif 2025 season to safeguard against crop loss caused by natural calamities, pest attacks, or disease outbreaks. A release said the scheme aims to provide financial relief to farmers, ensure stable agricultural income, and promote modern farming practices. In Erode district, the scheme is being implemented through the Agricultural Insurance Company of India Limited. For the current season, the notified crops under the scheme include maize, tur (red gram), groundnut, ragi, and sesame under agricultural crops, and banana, cassava, onion, turmeric, tomato, and potato under horticultural crops. Farmers cultivating these crops in notified revenue blocks are eligible to apply and avail the insurance benefits. Farmers who have availed crop loans can enrol through their respective Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACCS) or nationalised banks. Non-loanee farmers are required to obtain a crop cultivation certificate from their Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and submit it along with copies of their Aadhaar card, the first page of their bank passbook, and land ownership document (Chitta). Enrolment can be completed at Common Service Centres (CSCs), PACCS, or nationalised banks. The premium rates per acre for agricultural crops are ₹726 for maize, ₹340 for tur, ₹664 for groundnut, ₹342 for ragi, and ₹306 for sesame. For horticultural crops, the rates are ₹3,018.50 for banana, ₹1,588 for cassava, ₹2,267.50 for onion, ₹4,705 for turmeric, ₹1,582.50 for tomato, and ₹1,541 for potato. The last date for enroling in the scheme is September 1, 2025 for onion, tomato, and potato, while for all other notified crops, the final date is September 16, 2025. The administration has advised all eligible farmers, including tenant farmers, to register in advance to avoid last-minute delays and ensure protection against potential crop losses.
News18
29-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Dope test for Chitta mandatory in HP police hiring
Agency: Shimla, July 29 (PTI) A doping test for 'Chitta' will now be mandatory during police recruitment in Himachal Pradesh and newly recruited government employees will be required to submit an undertaking stating they do not consume the synthetic drug, officials said on Tuesday. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting held here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, officials said. During the meeting, police, social justice and empowerment and health departments gave detailed presentations on the measures being taken to combat drug abuse in the state. The chief minister said strict action would be taken against any government employee found involved in drug-related activities. 'The state government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the drug menace and is fully committed to protecting the youth from falling victim to drug abuse," Sukhu said. He underlined the need for coordinated efforts to dismantle drug networks. According to a statement issued here, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) cases in Himachal Pradesh constitute nine per cent of total cases, significantly lower than Punjab's 20 per cent. The health department has been asked to strengthen efforts related to capacity building, awareness generation, treatment, counselling, follow-up and rehabilitation of persons affected by substance abuse. Integrated Rehabilitation Centres (IRCs) have been set up in Kullu, Hamirpur, Nurpur and Una and a new project with an outlay of Rs 14.95 crore will be implemented to establish similar centres at all district headquarters under the state action plan of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The chief minister also directed Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Panchayati Raj Institutions, civil society organisations and the education department to participate actively in spreading awareness about the ill-effects of drug abuse. He stressed the need for a coordinated approach among departments to combat substance abuse and also called for regular interstate border monitoring to prevent drug trafficking. PTI BPL OZ OZ view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 21:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
‘Chitta' test now must during police recruitment in HP
1 2 Shimla: In a bid to curb the problem of drug menace, the Himachal cabinet, headed by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Tuesday decided to introduce mandatory dope testing for Chitta (heroin) during police recruitment. All new govt employees will now also be required to submit an undertaking confirming they do not consume Chitta. Sukhu also made it clear that strict action would be taken against any govt employee found involved in drug-related activities. The council of ministers was informed that the drug abuse situation in Himachal Pradesh remains under control, with narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) cases accounting for 9% of the total cases, significantly lower than Punjab's 20%. During the present state govt's tenure, 45 such cases were registered, in which properties worth Rs 42.22 crore belonging to individuals involved in drug-related activities were attached. This marks a more than two-fold increase in the number of cases and a three-fold increase in the value of properties seized compared to previous periods. Also, under the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic(PIT)-INDPS Act, a total of 44 detention orders were issued and successfully executed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo During the meeting, the police, social justice and empowerment, and health departments made presentations on the steps being taken to combat drug abuse in the state. Sukhu emphasised the urgent need for coordinated actions to dismantle drug networks to protect the youth of the state from addiction. The departments have been directed to intensify their efforts in capacity building, awareness generation, treatment, counselling, follow-up, and rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction. "Integrated rehabilitation centres have already been established in Kullu, Hamirpur, Nurpur, and Una to facilitate recovery and reintegration into society. It was also apprised that a project with an outlay of Rs 14.95 crore will be launched to set up similar centres at all district headquarters, under the state action plan of the department of social justice and empowerment," said a source in the govt. During the meet, the chief minister instructed mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, panchayati raj institutions, civil society organisations, and the education department to actively involve themselves in raising awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse. Sukhu exhorted all departments to work jointly in waging a comprehensive war against drug abuse and also stressed the importance of regular inter-state border monitoring. MSID: 122978072 413 |
Scroll.in
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
Fiction: In a remote village in Bengal, the tribal Sahish community lives in neglect with its pigs
Guhiram Sahish has a streak of eccentricity, with hints of madness evident in his everyday actions and demeanour. There isn't another quite like him in the Sahish community. He is as whimsical as he is obstinate. But no one pokes fun at the guy. Why should they? He, too, after all, is a part of this colony. A colony of pigs and humans – all mixed and jumbled up to such an extent that neither species can be well distinguished. Nevertheless, Guhiram Sahish stands out, even when these pig-keepers are lined up alongside their herds. Guhiram spends entire days chasing after pigs. With a tattered lungi tucked at the waist and his limbs bare knee down, the man spares no care either for his clothes or for the blazing sun. Perpetual cohabitation with and constant nurturing of pigs has turned him a little wild. The scalding sun has left his skin irrevocably tanned. Equally remarkable is his build. Tall and broad, with an emaciated physique. Like a pig, his ribs jut out awkwardly, unsightly, and overly pronounced – straining to mask his belly. Even with such a frame, he can tirelessly chase after pigs. He can shout out loud. And leap in wild joy, cane in hand, screaming –'Harrrrrr-hatt! Tug tug tug-urrrrah!' After hearing his shouts, the pigs can no longer graze with bowed heads. Within moments, their hollowed-in, sunken, bead-like eyes startle into awareness. Tripping and stumbling, they start to flee. Being constantly pursued, they trip and roll from one pond bank to another. Many laugh at Guhiram's mindless acts. If Bhima, Satish, or someone else is around, they shout and say, 'Hei Guiha-da! Do you plan on bumping off the swine? Why rage after them so? Let them graze, would you?' Guhiram pants. His saliva trickles down like sap. He grunts, 'Yeah, okay, graze away then.' Guhiram enjoys this game of chasing pigs across fields. All's well if he goes away to Manbazaar to take up waged domestic labour. But, such work can rarely be obtained. Therefore, on some days, even on going to the 'bazaar,' one has to come back all wry-faced, after spending an hour or two standing staunch in expectation. He stays home on such days – as do Bhakru, Chitta, or Sadhucharan. Being at home requires one to be somewhat attentive toward the pigs, even if one doesn't have to groom and rear the creatures. Grooming and looking after pigs involve directing them into the sty at a specified time and guiding them out carefully. An oblong container, made by symmetrically hollowing out the trunks of Donga and Jha trees, lies by the pigsty. This container serves watery rice starch – maad and pounded or ground bran. A regulated supply of such food makes their bodies grow and gain mass. And therein lies profit, which seldom comes their way. The goblet of rice starch they should serve to the pigs is hardly enough to satisfy their hunger. The naked Sahish children, clenching bowls in their hands, wait by the stove for a serving of maad. Rice boils in the handi mounted atop the wooden stove. The children frolic as they inhale the aroma of boiling rice, much like the quipping hunger in their stomachs. Or, at times, prompted by fierce excitement for oncoming food, one of them picks up a stick to doodle on the soot of the handi creating a commemoration of his artistry – a spontaneous expression profoundly personal yet historically universal in its innocence. When a meagre bowl of rice starch sparks a confrontation between humans and animals, and the human, depriving the animal, claims it to stave off hunger, he embodies a raw desperation that blurs the boundary between human and beast. The child's humble drawings remain as silent markers of this profound reality. The pigs rove about. Keeping away from the huts, they graze upon grounds, fields, and pond banks. They feed on dirty, rotten junk. And, sometimes, to escape this torrid heat, they dunk in cool pond slush and climb back on land. Guhiram pants by the pond, in the shade of the droopy Banyan. The freshly sprouted leaves tremble, and the air's filled with the stench of rotten mire. He leans back and gently caresses his chest, trying to feel the graze of his greying hair strands. If only there were a bidi – even a half-burnt one tucked into the folds of his loincloth, Guhiram would have gone for a puff while relaxedly savoring each slow, miserly drag. With such longing in his heart, he falls asleep. Unbeknownst to him, his slumber is quietly observed by the silent village on the hilltop, where rows of mud huts stand side by side in serene stillness. Only twelve huts constitute the Sahish neighbourhood, which houses about fifty people. Thirty-two of them are voters. They occupy such a tiny and negligible part of the entire area under the Manbazaar police depot's jurisdiction that this locality of the Sahishes is not considered a distinct village at all. Instead, they call it Hadipara. The Sahishes are the Hadis of Hadipara. Referring to them as 'Sahishes' implies showing respect – respect that is rarely accorded to them. In reality, they are marginalised and viewed with disdain by other communities. To avoid the sight and influence of these 'undesirables,' society has relegated the Hadis to the fringes, where human habitation is barely possible. This peripheral land is a patchwork of grazing pastures, fields, marshes, and murky ponds, alongside landfills for cattle carcasses, garbage dumps, and sporadic bamboo clusters that transition into lowlands framed by rows of palm trees. At dawn, across those very palmtops and cradled by the blue skies, there flies forth, a flock of pied starlings. An Indian weaver swings away in its nest amidst palm fronds. Yet, here, habitable space is scarce – but still, the Hadis live on. On the slightly raised ground, reminiscent of a tortoiseshell, the Hadis make their home, building distinct mud huts with thatched roofs. The homes are unique in their construction or, rather, in the lack of it – they follow an ancient architectural form, mirroring the Hadis' lifestyle. Most rooms lack walls; instead, they have low thatched roofs descending close to the ground. Each hut floor consists mainly of a clay dais, which is knee-high in elevation. Therefore, there is no distinct door to enter the room. Neither is there any need for one. One can quickly get in by crouching, diving headfirst, or crawling in on all fours. The Sahishes enter in this very manner – at an effortless and quick pace. One realises that they had mastered this snake-like briskness from their forefathers. Back in the day, when dense forests covered the entire region, they might have had the urge to protect themselves from wild animals. Today, the geography of the terrain hints at that very past decadence. Even now, certain areas lie deserted while other regions have retained abundant vegetation. Yet, those wild survival instincts have hardly disappeared. Now, the Sahishes' need for self-protection is not from wild animals in the forests but rather from the harshness of their surroundings. Now, they struggle against poverty and the constant threat of starvation.
