Latest news with #MansaDevi
Hans India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 29th July 2025
TCS shocker: Onus onstaff to stay relevant Things are changing rapidly at TCS as evidenced by the news of layoffs and tightening of its bench policy. Employment in private sector is driven by client demand, revenue targets, while the bottom line remains one performance level. Companies invariably seek ways to reduce costs. It becomes an employee's responsibility to continuously upgrade skills, stay relevant and become indispensable to both the clients and the organisation. Many companies are sitting on large cash reserves yet continue to lay off staff because employees fail to evolve, rely on outdated skill sets and perform the same tasks they have done for years. Sajid Farooq, Kurnool TCS must support affected employees The decision taken by TCS to lay off 12,000 employees is undoubtedly painful, yet it reflects a tough but strategic move to align the company with emerging technologies and future demands. While such actions disrupt thousands of lives, they often stem from a broader vision of long-term strength and adaptability. To soften the impact, TCS must actively support affected employees through meaningful reskilling programs, emotional and economic counselling and strong job placement assistance, thereby turning a difficult transition into a chance for renewal and growth. As'ad, Kabir Nagari Streamlining crowd control can prevent stampedes The Mansa Devi temple stampede is not just a tragedy but a failure of preparedness due to which faith has turned fatal. That innocent lives were lost to a rumour reflects how vulnerable we remain in crowded spaces. The lack of coordinated crowd control, emergency response systems and foresight are quite alarming. Our temples must become spiritual and safe sanctuaries. One must take to adoption of technology like surveillance; real time alerts and regulated entry and exits at places of pilgrimage. We owe those who lost their lives more than condolences; we owe them systemic changes rooted in responsibility, reverence and compassion. Dr Vijaykumar H K, Raichur-584170 Crowd management is crucial The stampede incident in the holy shrine of Mansa Devi is shocking. When auspicious months are underway, the authorities must tighten safety measures to avoid recurrence. It is also binding on the public and the crowd to adhere to a sense of basic discipline, while the police and administration must put in place some extra caution with respect to crowd management, during these auspicious festive months. There is no point in being unplanned and unprepared during such congregations. As responsible citizens, let us also rise to the occasion and avoid such panic situations. Kirti Wadhawan, Kanpur Probe the Haridwar temple tragedy The Mansa Devi temple stampede is the umpteenth such incident in India this year. The series of stampedes mostly at Hindu religious gatherings are all due to the failure of local administrations including the security forces, in anticipating the size of the gathering. And the stampedes occurred mainly due to mismanagement at a given moment or rumours about something or the other, like in the Haridwar incident it was a rumour about an electrical wire that had snapped. This could be the handiwork of anti-Hindu forces in the country, an angle that needs to be probed. Govardhana Myneedu, Vijayawada Use technology to avoid flooding During every monsoon, rains wreak havoc by causing massive damages, Roads turn dangerous, which is made worse by uprooting of trees while buildings collapse and many lives are lost. Flooding cuts of access to several villages. It is a pity that during heavy rains there is an abysmal supply of drinking water. Eminent people like Dr K L Rao, among others, called for linking of rivers. I feel that the best way out is to patronise technology in a big way. Creating open tanks and canals can be ideal for diversion of rainwater and thereby avoid flooding and inundations. There is also a need to avoid blockages and leaks in drainage lines and manholes. G Shanti Priya, Secunderabad
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Two killed in temple frenzy, say police
At least two people were killed when a crowd panicked after an electric wire snapped outside a temple in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, authorities said. A group of monkeys jumped onto an electric wire outside the Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple in the Barabanki region, causing it to snap and fall on a shed, triggering panic, District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi said. Nineteen people were electrocuted and injured, he said. 'Two people were killed today in a stampede-like situation (at the temple) early in the morning,' a senior police officer, who did not want to be named, said. The incident occurred around 2am local time on Sunday, the area's chief medical officer said, when some people at the temple 'came in contact' with the electric wire, causing panic. Accidents involving large crowds are not uncommon at religious gatherings in India, and are often blamed on poor crowd management. At least 30 people were killed in a pre-dawn crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh festival in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj in January, as tens of millions gathered to take a dip in sacred river waters on its most auspicious day. Six people were killed in a stampede in neighbouring Uttarakhand state on Sunday, where a crowd gathered to pray at the Mansa Devi temple. — Reuters
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
After stampede, Haridwar dist admin wakes up, removes encroachments from Mansa Devi route, designates path as one-way
Haridwar: Day after the stampede on the pedestrian route to Mansa Devi temple killed eight people, the district administration on Monday began a crackdown on unauthorised shops and establishments on the congested path near the shrine. A case was also registered against unknown persons for "spreading rumours" under sections 125 (A), (B) and 106 of BNS. On Monday, the main route to the temple was declared one-way, with the exit of pilgrims being facilitated through another route. Similarly, the temple's rear gate -- which connects to the pedestrian route where the incident took place -- was closed for pilgrims until further notice. After the stampede, many had alleged that the incident was a result of systemic failure on the part of the police, administration and the shrine's stakeholders who should have taken steps to ensure that such a tragedy did not happen. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) also removed loose wiring from the shops near the temple on Monday, as it was alleged that rumours of a live electric wire falling on the route had created crowd frenzy, leading to the stampede. In addition, UPCL ordered safety audits of electricity installations at major public places, including religious sites, in the state. UPCL managing director Anil Kumar said that he had issued directions that "during the audit, focus should be on hanging wires or unsafe wiring along with loose electric connections." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Police also recovered CCTV footage from local areas to investigate the matter. A magisterial probe has already started, and statements of the injured pilgrims and other eyewitnesses were recorded during the day. Haridwar DM, Mayur Dixit, told TOI, "A joint inspection with police was conducted at Mansa Devi temple, and the temple management committee was asked to ensure the safety and other facilities for pilgrims within the premises. In addition, hanging electric wires will be removed from all religious places in Haridwar." Meanwhile, the number of persons injured in the tragedy were reported to have increased from 30 to 45, with six critical patients still admitted in AIIMS Rishikesh.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Unsafe paths, no security: Most Haridwar shrines mirror Mansa Devi flaws
Haridwar: A day after eight people died in a stampede at Mansa Devi temple, concerns have resurfaced over the safety of other major shrines in Haridwar, many of which struggle with overcrowding, narrow access points and insufficient crowd control. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Survivors and locals said the tragedy highlighted long-standing failures in basic infrastructure and administrative oversight. Just 24 hours after the crush, TOI visited several prominent temples to assess their preparedness and found that critical safety issues persist at many locations. At Chandi Devi temple, perched atop Neel Parvat, steep steps and a narrow approach are clogged with makeshift shops, making movement difficult for pilgrims. There were no visible security personnel to manage the crowd. The Narayani Shila temple also struggles with poor crowd management, especially during Pitru Amavasya, when large gatherings are common. At Mansa Devi, crowd control remains ineffective. The bypass route, which took on more footfall after the closure of the back gate post-stampede, is in disrepair. Unauthorised vendors still occupy both the bypass and the pedestrian path leading to the shrine. Social activist JP Badoni told TOI, "The temple management committee has encroached on land meant for pilgrims by building shops and rooms. I've raised the issue multiple times, but the administration has failed to act against illegal permanent structures, nor have they removed temporary encroachments." He added that Haridwar Municipal Corporation should reclaim its land "illegally occupied by the ropeway company" and use it to improve access for pilgrims. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In contrast, the Daksha temple in Kankhal appears better managed. It sees around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors daily, with numbers rising to over 10,000 during peak Shravan days. The temple was recently expanded. "Thanks to separate entry and exit gates and the regular presence of 10 to 15 policemen, which is ramped up to 30–40 during peak days, it is better managed than most other temples," said Mahesh Pareek, a regular visitor. In 2023, then-district magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbyal had prepared a management plan for the temple, but it was never implemented, residents said. Encroachments are also rampant along the Har-ki-Pauri stretch, including Malviya Ghat, Subhash Ghat, Nai Ghat, Hathi Bridge, Upper Road and Bhimgoda Road. The absence of a designated zero zone in the area makes it difficult to regulate crowds effectively. Locals said key recommendations made by the Justice KK Commission after the 1997 Mauni Amavasya stampede are still pending. Social activist Ratanmani Dobhal told TOI, "Encroachments along the riverbanks near Har-ki-Pauri pose one of the biggest challenges. Entry and exit points must also be decongested." He said a comprehensive plan was needed to provide basic facilities to pilgrims at Har-ki-Pauri.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
After Haridwar stampede, CM orders proper arrangements at key temples
Dehradun: A day after eight people died and more than 20 sustained injuries in a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to take immediate steps to improve infrastructure and safety at major religious sites across the state. He ordered proper arrangements at temples, including Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi in Haridwar, Purnagiri Dham in Tanakpur, Kainchi Dham in Nainital, Jageshwar Dham in Almora, and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Pauri. Dhami said the planned development of the Mansa Devi temple complex and other major temples would be undertaken to increase their capacity. He said shop encroachments must be managed and facilities made accessible to pilgrims. He added that two separate committees would be formed — one each in Kumaon and Garhwal — to oversee preparations and ensure pilgrim safety. The CM directed that the commissioners of both divisions head the committees and include district magistrates, senior superintendents of police, vice-chairpersons of development authorities, and representatives of executing agencies. He stressed the importance of crowd management, registration of devotees, widening of footpaths and stairs, removal of encroachments, and ensuring the availability of all basic facilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo "Mandatory registration of devotees should be implemented, and a phase-wise system should be ensured to control the number of visitors, preventing overcrowding and ensuring convenience for the devotees," Dhami said. The stampede at the Mansa Devi temple occurred when panic spread among devotees due to a rumour that an electric wire had snapped on the stairway. Officials from Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited later confirmed there was no exposed live wire at the site. Eyewitnesses and locals blamed the incident on poor crowd control, lack of police presence, and unauthorised encroachments along the route. A magisterial inquiry is underway, and the state has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of those who died.
