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United News of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Op Sindoor: Tiranga Yatra held in Tumakuru
Tumakuru, May 18 (UNI) A grand Tiranga Yatra was held in Tumakuru on Sunday, featuring a 1,000-metre-long national flag and drawing participation from thousands of enthusiastic people. Ex-servicemen, NCC cadets, nursing students, youth volunteers, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers marched in unison through prominent parts of the city to the chants of patriotic slogans and songs. The rally commenced near the SIT Engineering College, attracting large crowds along the route. Streets were adorned with saffron, white, and green, while cultural performances and band displays added to the spirited atmosphere. Union Minister and senior BJP leader V Somanna inaugurated the procession and addressed the gathering. He commended the Indian armed forces for their valour and preparedness in the face of cross-border threats, stating, 'Our military has given a befitting reply to our enemies, and the entire nation stands united with them.' Speaking to media persons, Somanna said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exhibited firm and visionary leadership, particularly in matters of national security. 'India will not hesitate to take further action if provoked again by Pakistan. Our government will never compromise on national sovereignty and integrity,' he asserted. BJP State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa, who also participated in the march, said the Tiranga Yatra symbolised the growing sense of patriotism among the youth and citizens of Karnataka. 'The response from Tumakuru is a testament to the people's faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,' he said. Actor and Rajya Sabha MP Jaggesh, along with several other senior BJP leaders and local office-bearers, were present at the event. The Yatra concluded with the unfurling of the Tricolour and the singing of the national anthem at a designated public ground. Party officials said the event was part of a broader national campaign to promote unity, pride in the armed forces, and awareness about India's achievements under the current government. Security arrangements were tightened across the city to ensure smooth conduct of the rally, and traffic was regulated along the designated route. UNI BDN SSP
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Railway Ministry approves survey for mega coaching terminal in Devanahalli
Bengaluru: With the active efforts of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, the Railways Ministry has approved a project worth Rs 1.35 crore to initiate the Final Site Survey (FLS) for the construction of a mega coaching terminal near Devanahalli station or at any suitable location on the Yelahanka, Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur route. The project is aimed at providing relief to Bengaluru's highly congested rail infrastructure and to cater to the growing passenger demand. Bengaluru, India's fifth most populous metropolitan city, with a population of around 11.5 million, is seeing its dependence on rail travel increasing day by day. With only three terminals and 12 pit lines in the city, 140 originating, 139 terminating and 142 pass-through trains are currently being handled. As of today, 110 primary maintenance trains are using this infrastructure, with a total of 212.06 million passengers being handled by 103.72 million passengers by 2024-25. This number is likely to increase to 210 trains per day in the coming days, putting more pressure on the newer terminals. The existing pit lines are already operating at maximum capacity. Trains are being delayed due to the constant unavailability of platforms and tracks at KSR Bengaluru station. Lack of stabilizing lines is leading to excessive movement of empty rakes, which is leading to loss of staff and route. Moreover, the lack of a dedicated freight route is hampering rail traffic and freight traffic. The expansion of the existing terminals is unlikely to be possible due to the scarcity of land in the city. Devanahalli Terminal, located on the outskirts of the city, will be developed as a fourth major terminal, which will efficiently redistribute traffic and also provide operational flexibility. The terminal will have a total of 12 pit lines in four sets, five washing lines with automatic coach washing facilities, 24 stabling lines, six repair lines within the premises, two pit wheel lathes and six sick lines along with ancillary facilities like loco bay, 50 tonne capacity boot laundry, administration buildings and stores. With a daily handling capacity of 36 rakes, this terminal is sure to enhance the handling capacity of the Bengaluru railway network. With the approval of this survey, Indian Railways is shaping the infrastructure for the future of Bengaluru and reflects its vision of providing a sustainable solution to the urban development.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Train services on Gadag-Wadi new line to begin on May 15
Gadag: Train services on the newly established Gadag-Wadi railway line are set to begin on Thursday with Union minister of state for railways V Somanna scheduled to inaugurate it at 9.45am. The first passenger train service linking Kushtagi to Hubballi will commence on May 15, SW Railways' public relations officer Manjunath Kanamadi MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy had reached out to the railway department with a letter from CM Siddaramaiah to initiate the Gadag-Wadi passenger train service. BJP state executive member Basavaraj Kyavater said while the daily schedule for the Kushtagi-Hubballi train is yet to be finalised, it is expected to be completed within two days, with one passenger train operating daily in the initial phase. Veeresh Bangarashettar, the president of the Railway Horata Samiti, said the announcement of the train service commencing on this route has brought joy to the local community. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Railways withdraws mangalsutra ban on recruitment exam candidates after outrage
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) on Monday withdrew an order that barred women candidates of a recruitment exam from wearing mangalsutras and sacred threads after it drew flak. As per admission letters issued for the nursing superintendent exam, a Railways circular barred entry to individuals wearing religious symbols such as sacred threads and mangalsutras, triggering outrage from Hindu organisations as well as BJP leaders. The mangalsutra, a necklace with black beads and gold, is a sacred symbol of marriage worn by Hindu women. Brajesh Chowta, BJP MP for Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada constituency, took up the matter with Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna. 'Glad to inform that, after we brought it to his attention, Union Minister V Somanna has intervened and instructed authorities not to enforce the removal of religious symbols and ornaments like the Mangalsutra and Janivara for candidates appearing for the Indian Railways 'Nursing Superintendent' examination,' he wrote on X. ದಿನಾಂಕ 28, 29 ಮತ್ತು 30 ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 2025ರಂದು ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಇಲಾಖೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೇಮಕಾತಿಗಾಗಿ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಜನಿವಾರ, ಮಾಂಗಲ್ಯ ಸೂತ್ರ ತೆಗೆದಿಟ್ಟು ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಬರೆಯಬೇಕೆಂಬ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಪರೀಕ್ಷಾ ನಿಯಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆಯೆಂಬ ದೂರುಗಳು ನನಗೆ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಸಂಸದರು, ಶಾಸಕರು ಇದನ್ನು ಸರಿಪಡಿಸುವಂತೆ ಮನವಿ… — V. Somanna (@VSOMANNA_BJP) April 28, 2025 Initially, the banned list included ornaments, bangles, sacred threads, mangalsutras, and electronic gadgets like mobile phones, watches, Bluetooth devices, and calculators. Somanna said he had directed officials not to prohibit candidates from wearing sacred threads and mangalsutras. The development follows a controversy during a recent Karnataka's Common Entrance Test (CET) where sacred threads were removed from candidates before they were allowed to sit for the exam. Cases were reported from Shivamogga, Bidar, and Dharwad that authorities had cut sacred threads or denied entry to students who had refused to remove them. Reacting to the fresh controversy, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar criticised the BJP, which rules the Centre. 'The BJP says one thing and does another. It's wrong to insist that candidates remove mangalsutras and janivaras for the exam. Such orders must be withdrawn,' he said.
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Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Candidates need not remove religious symbols during exams, says Rly dept
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu organisations on Monday strongly objected to an instruction asking for the removal of religious symbols worn by candidates appearing for the Railway Department's Nursing Superintendent examination, and it was withdrawn immediately. Following widespread protests, the railway authorities have now clarified that candidates will not be required to remove religious symbols such as the mangalsutra (a sacred necklace worn by married Hindu women) and janivara (sacred thread worn by Brahmins) before entering the exam hall. Amidst the growing outrage, Minister of State for Railways, V Somanna, intervened in the matter and clarified that candidates appearing for the Railway Recruitment Board's Nursing Superintendent exam would not be required to remove any religious symbols or mangalsutras. He further instructed officials to ensure that religious sentiments are respected during the examination process. According to the officials, the examination is scheduled to be held on Tuesday (April 29), at the Manail Srinivas Nayak Besant Vidya Kendra in Bondel, Mangaluru. Initially, the admit cards had directed candidates to remove the mangalsutra and janivara before writing the exam. Speaking to PTI, Sharan Pumpwell, regional leader of the VHP, said, "We are watching the developments; if any of these measures (removal of Hindu religious symbols from candidates) are taken by the examination authorities, we will take the corrective course." Hindu organisations argued that it deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. "Asking married women to remove their mangalsutra and sacred sindoor, or asking men to remove their janivara, amounts to attacking sacred Hindu traditions followed by crores of people," a VHP spokesperson said. The organisation submitted a memorandum to the district authorities demanding that Hindu candidates be allowed to write the examination without being forced to compromise on their religious identity. The controversy comes in the wake of recent incidents during the Common Entrance Test (CET), where few candidates at some exam centres were reportedly asked to remove their sacred threads. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, reacting to questions by reporters in Bengaluru about the issue, hit out at the BJP, the party which leads the government at the Centre. "We have been saying that religious things like Mangalasutra, Janivara -- let them be checked, but asking for them to be removed is not right. The BJP's true face is different. They say something and do something has to be withdrawn and people should express their anger against it," he said.
