Latest news with #IqbalAhmed
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Buses on Kolkata's route 39 go off road after threat from autos
1 2 Kolkata: Commuters faced severe disruption on Friday morning as the fleet of 60 buses on route 39 and 18 on 39A/2 went off the road following a clash with auto-rickshaw drivers near Lohapool on Rifle Range Road in Park Circus. Traffic was hit for about 30 minutes. The standoff stemmed from a long-standing dispute over route permissions, leaving office-goers stranded and forced to spend extra money on alternate transport. The confrontation began around 9.45 am when auto drivers affiliated with the South Kolkata District Auto Driver Operators Union blocked buses at the Lohapool stop near Adi Ballygunge Vidyalaya under Karaya Police Station. The auto drivers allegedly forced buses to offload passengers and return to the Picnic Garden terminus, demanding that they stick to their original routes via Tiljala (Route 39) and Bhojerhat (39A/2). According to sources, the bus and the auto operators are supposed to join a meeting at the office of the transport directorate at Beltala on Monday to discuss a possible solution. "Bus routes are much older than the auto routes. We never objected when the autos snatched away the lion's share of our passengers. They should have approached the RTO instead of taking the law into their own hands. We already approached the RTO. Hopefully, by tomorrow, the issue will be resolved," said Titu Saha, secretary of City Suburban Bus Service. Iqbal Ahmed, a resident of Colony Bazar, said, "With buses not available, I took two autos to reach my shop at Chandni Market. While the bus fare is Rs 15, I forked up Rs 40 for a break journey in two autos." The auto operators alleged that the bus operators had been deviating from the routes, against which the transport department issued them permits, for the last five years. The 39 bus service is 61 years old, and its original route to Babughat is via Tiljala, 4 No Bridge, Dargah Road, and SN Banerjee Road. Much later, two more bus services like 39A/2 and 39A branched out. While the route of 39A/2 towards Howrah is via Topsia, Bhojerhat, and Mahatma Gandhi Road, the now-defunct 39A used to ply to Salt Lake via Science City. Since 2014, when the work of Maa flyover was underway, the 39 and 39A/2 buses rejigged their routes via Rifle Range Road and Biresh Guha Street and did not return to the old route, citing a lesser number of passengers. Subal Das, conductor of a 39A/2 bus, said, "The auto drivers have been threatening us for the last few months. It is not feasible for us to run the service on the old route. Now we get around 50% of our passengers from the Rifle Range Road and Park Circus Connector. Until the issue is resolved, our bus service will not be at the wheel." Around 450 autos ply from Lohapool to Orient Row near Beniapukur and Esplanade. Md Jahir, a member of the auto union, said, "The buses halt on the road, looking out for passengers and causes traffic snarls on Rifle Range Road. We want the transport department to look into the matter and ask the buses to ply on their old routes, against which their permits were issued." The minibuses on the Picnic Garden-Howrah route have been plying through Ballygunge Phanri since last week. Apu Pal, secretary of Picnic Garden Howrah Minibus Workers' Union, said, "Our original route was via Tiljala, but we switched to Rifle Range Road. The auto operators created disturbances, compelling us to ply via Ballygunge Phanri. We brought the matter to the notice of the transport department." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
India.com
01-05-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet Unique 2024s UPSC Toppers: A Puncture Repairmans Son, New Mother And A Cooks Daughter Who Preferred Self-Study
Each year, the announcement of UPSC Civil Services results brings joy to thousands of households across India. But behind the roll numbers are stories rarely told — tales of persistence, sacrifice, and quiet determination that define what true success looks like. These aren't just stories of intellectual triumph — they're testaments to how dreams are often built on the unwavering love of a parent, the resilience of a family, and the fire within individuals who refuse to give up. Whether it's a woman striving forward while her father stands guard, or a young man defying blindness, these journeys go far beyond academic excellence. Here are seven moving narratives from the UPSC 2024 results, shared by The Better India, that highlight the grit, heart, and hope behind the ranks. 1. Shakti Dubey, AIR 1: Daughter of a police officer, driven by purpose In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Shakti Dubey made her family proud by securing the top rank in UPSC 2024. Her father, Devendra Kumar Dubey, a committed police officer, credits her success to her own dedication and divine grace. With a supportive mother and her own determination, Shakti turned a life of quiet discipline into a moment of national pride. 2. Iqbal Ahmed, AIR 998: From bicycle repairs to bureaucracy In the village of Nandaur, UP, Iqbal Ahmed's achievement is a story of grit against odds. His father, once a bicycle puncture shop owner, had to shut it down due to illness. Despite financial struggles, Iqbal pursued education through government institutions and joined UPPSC as a Labour Enforcement Officer before cracking UPSC in his next try. 3. Malavika G. Nair, AIR 45: A new mother who kept going Malavika G. Nair from Kerala showed remarkable resilience, writing her UPSC mains exam just 17 days after childbirth. An IRS officer since 2020, she was determined to become an IAS officer. With her husband in IPS training, and support from her family caring for her newborn, Malavika made her final attempt a memorable one. 4. Harshita Goyal, AIR 2: Powered by loss, led by her father After losing her mother to cancer, Harshita's father moved their family from Rajasthan to Gujarat, seeking a better future. A Chartered Accountant and MSU Baroda graduate, Harshita passed UPSC in her third attempt, inspired by her father's faith in her potential to contribute to society. 5. Manu Garg, AIR 91: A visually impaired achiever guided by a mother's vision Losing his eyesight in Class 9 didn't stop Manu Garg from Jaipur. Abandoned by his father and left isolated, he found strength in his mother's unwavering support. With her help and assistive technology — not Braille — Manu graduated from Hindu College, completed postgrad studies at JNU, and cracked UPSC on his second try. 6. Preethi AC, AIR 263: A self-taught achiever, daughter of a cook When 26-year-old Preethi AC informed her father — a part-time cook who never attended school — about her success, it was a moment of pure joy. Studying solely in government institutions and without coaching, she honored her father's dream, earning a degree in Agriculture and cracking UPSC with Anthropology as her optional. 7. Beerappa Doni, AIR 551: From shepherding sheep to public service Hailing from Nanavadi village in Karnataka, Beerappa Doni learned of his success while herding sheep. A BTech graduate and part of the Kuruba community, he had previously worked with India Post and longed to serve the nation like his brother in the Army. With AIR 551, that dream is closer than ever.
