Latest from India Gazette
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
An Institutional Murder: NSUI demands justice for Balasore self-immolation victim
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has demanded justice for Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, who self-immolated herself in protest over sexual harassment by her Head of the Department. According to an official press release, 'The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is devastated, enraged, and deeply shaken by the tragic death of Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of FM College, Balasore, who set herself ablaze after months of unbearable trauma and institutional silence.' The NSUI has alleged institutional silence and apathy from the college administration and the Odisha Government, and has called for immediate action against the accused and those who failed to protect Soumyashree. 'Soumyashree was a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of a faculty member. She cried out for help, pleaded for justice, but was met with indifference and apathy. The Odisha Government, the college administration, and a system controlled by BJP-backed appointees failed her at every step. From the Chief Minister's chair to the district administration, not a single authority acted to protect her.', the release stated. The NSUI has alleged that Soumyashree's pleas for help were met with indifference and apathy by the authorities, including the college administration and the district administration, which are claimed to be controlled by BJP-backed appointees. 'Adding to the disgrace is the silence of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the very student organization Soumyashree was a part of. ABVP failed its own member. Not only did they ignore her cries for justice, but they are now shamelessly attempting to spread false narratives and deflect blame. Their silence when she needed them most, and their lies now, are acts of betrayal. 'Let it be stated unequivocally No NSUI office bearer is involved in this case. These baseless accusations are not just false they are an insult to Soumyashree's memory and a vile attempt to shield the real perpetrators,' the release read. According to the release, NSUI alleged, 'This is not just a tragedy. This is institutional murder. NSUI stands firmly with Soumyashree and her family. We demand immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused faculty member, an independent judicial probe into the role of college authorities and administrative cover-up, suspension of officials and staff who ignored Soumyashree's repeated complaints and accountability from the Odisha Government and BJP-backed machinery that allowed this injustice. NSUI will fight for justice for Soumyashree.' Meanwhile, the Odisha State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das has called for a statewide 'bandh' on July 17 in protest against the death of the student. Das demanded the resignation of the State Education Minister, local MLA and MP over the death of the Balasore student. 'Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP--all three--should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it,' Das told ANI. The Odisha Congress Chief noted that the victim, even after complaining at multiple forums, did not get justice. 'The student knocked on every door for justice and even got an FIR registered... but she did not get justice... She even went to the MLA. The MLA could have ensured justice for her, but he did not do so... The MP also did not take this matter seriously... Was it not their responsibility to take this matter seriously? ... If even a little action had been taken, the situation would not have come to the point where that student had to take her own life... The government did not even realise that this is their responsibility,' he added. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Science
- India Gazette
"Dalit or OBC could have been sent in place of Shukla": Congress' Udit Raj drags caste into Ax-4 mission
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday stated that a Dalit candidate could have been selected instead of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for the Axiom-4 space mission. He noted that when Rakesh Sharma became India's first astronaut, there were no representatives from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other Backwards Classes (OBC), who were not well-educated. Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said, '... When Rakesh Sharma was sent earlier, the SC, ST, and OBC people were not that educated. This time, I think it was the turn to send a Dalit... It is not that NASA conducted an exam, and then there was a selection. Any Dalit or OBC could have been sent in place of Shukla ji...' After spending almost 20 days in space, with almost 19 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4), Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, along with this crew for the mission, is set for a splashdown on earth off the coast of San Diego, California, at around 3 PM IST on Tuesday. The undocking of the AX-4 mission took place at around 4:35 AM IST on Monday with assistance from the ISS. After travelling for over 22 and a half hours, the Dragonfly spacecraft is expected to land on the California coast at 3 PM IST. Following recovery, the astronauts will undergo medical check-ups and rehabilitation. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla's 15-day mission in space will play a crucial role in India's first manned spaceflight under the Gaganyaan program. Shukla became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space, where he undertook scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS). 'This has been an unforgettable experience for him (Shubhanshu Shukla). He carried out multiple experiments aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. After experiencing space and microgravity, he conducted several scientific tests. This mission has been a major learning opportunity for us. ISRO took up this mission to gather experience that will help us in our Gaganyaan program,' said Nilesh M. Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"BJP's four-engine governments have completely failed": Arvind Kejriwal on Delhi's schools and colleges bomb threats
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): On Tuesday, Arvind Kejriwal on X called out the BJP governement in Delhi as 'a four-engine government have completely failed' after the continuous bomb threats received at educational institutions on two consecutive days in Delhi. Kejriwal took to X and said, 'What's happening in Delhi? Yesterday, two schools received bomb threats, and today, another school and college got threats. Children are scared, parents are extremely worried. BJP's four-engine governments have completely failed.' AAP leader, Atishi, also shared on X, 'The continuous bomb threats to schools and colleges in Delhi are extremely terrifying and worrisome. Children are scared, parents are distressed - the BJP's four-engine governments have proven incapable of even providing security. Does the safety of children hold no importance for them? Law and order have completely collapsed.' Today, Delhi's St. Thomas School in Delhi's Dwarka and St. Stephen's College of the University of Delhi received bomb threats. The threat was sent to the Delhi Police's mail at 7:15 AM stating that a bomb had been planted in the college's library. After the evacuation of both locations and a thorough AS check by the Delhi Police Bomb Squad, Dog Squad, Delhi Fire Brigade team, and Special Staff team, nothing suspicious was found, according to the Delhi Police. On Monday, two schools in Chanakyapuri and the Dwarka area of Delhi also received bomb threats via Delhi Police mail. All of them turned out to be hoaxes as no explosives were found in the combing operation, the Delhi Police claims. The police further said that there were anti-Tamil Nadu government messages sent to Chanakyapuri school via email. The police added that they are investigating these threats. Earlier on July 10, Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj and other leaders took to X, shared images of waterlogged streets and slammed the BJP for its alleged failure to tackle flooding, even with all four 'engines' in power. Sharing photos of waterlogging in Lutyens' Delhi, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said, 'This is Lutyens' Delhi. Just an hour of rain, and this is the state of the road near the official residence of PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma.' Alleging failed promises from teh BJP, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, 'BJP's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, and other ministers and leaders made tall claims that Delhi won't drown this year. They said all necessary preparations had been made to prevent waterlogging. If everything was in place, then why did Delhi flood after just one hour of rain?' (ANI)
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India's trade deficit narrows sharply to USD 3.51 bn from USD 7.30 bn in June 2025 (YoY)
New Delhi [India] July 15 (ANI): India's overall trade deficit (merchandise and services) narrowed significantly to USD 3.51 billion in June 2025, down from USD 7.30 billion in June 2024, as exports outpaced imports on a year-on-year basis, government data showed on Tuesday. The decline in the trade deficit reflects stronger export performance, aided by resilient demand in key global markets and robust service sector growth. The data suggests that overall exports (merchandise and services) rose to USD 67.98 billion in June 2025, compared to USD 63.83 billion in the same month last year, with a jump of nearly 6.5 per cent. Meanwhile, overall imports also saw a marginal rise, reaching USD 71.50 billion in June 2025 compared to USD 71.14 billion in same period of the last year, indicating stable domestic demand and softening global commodity prices. The improved trade balance is a positive sign for India's current account position and broader economic fundamentals. The country's trade deficit in May had also narrowed to USD 6.62 billion from USD 9.35 billion same month last year. In May 2025, India's overall exports, merchandise and services combined, were reported at USD 71.12 billion, marking a 2.77 per cent rise on a yearly basis. The total exports in May 2024 were pegged at USD 69.20 billion. Among various steps the government took to increase exports include the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 14 sectors, including electronic goods, telecom, EVs battery to name a few. The production linked incentive (PLI) scheme of the government has helped India's export growth and make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. The government has set a target of USD 1 trillion of exports in the current financial year 2025-26. The free trade agreements (FTA) signed and under negotiations with various countries will boost exports. The most recent FTA was signed with the United Kingdom and the UAE. Commerce and Industry Secretary Sunil Barthwal had on Monday said at an Industry summit highlighted the importance of FTAs, Barthwal noted that the 'India-UK' FTA has a special chapter on Innovation, thereby strengthening innovation corridors between partner countries. He further added that FTAs ensure regulatory practices and institutional mechanisms between two sets of partners that can be harmonized and sustained. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
After walking for 111 days Pilgrim from UP reaches Pahalgam for Amarnath Yatra
Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir), July 15 (ANI): A man from Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri has been walking for the past 111 days in an extraordinary pilgrimage to the holy cave of Baba Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir. Harnam Prasad, who is on a 7000 kilometer pilgrimage, has reached Pahalgam, carrying a 17 kg Kanwar on his shoulder. Harnam Prasad took on the pilgrimage from his house in Lakhimpuri, offering his prayers in Rameshwaran Jyotirling in Tamil Nadu, Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple in Andhra Pradesh and visiting several religious places in Mathura, Vrindavan before reaching Pahalgam. 'I have been walking for one hundred and eleven days. I am taking a padyatra from Rameshwaram Jyoti Linga, to Baba Barfani Amarnath. On my way I have visited Srisailam Mallikarjun. After that, I went to Vrindavan Mathura and straight from Mathura I went to Delhi and visited Khatu Shyam Baba. Taking his blessings, I went straight to Jammu and Kashmir through Jammu and Punjab Haryana,' Harnam Prasad told ANI. Harnam Prasad lifted 17 kg Kanwar (sacred water pots) on his shoulders midway, from Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur, and said with them he will cover a total of 1700 km of 7000 km pilgrimage, before doing 'abhishek' of Lord Shiva and Nandi Maharaj with the sacred water. 'I lifed the Kanwar in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, with them I'll cover seventeen hundred kilometers of 7,000 kilometers padyatra and perform abhishek on Mahadev on Nandi Maharaj,' he said. Prasad said that he only wishes for our blooming country to flourish and it should be Hindu nation. 'My only wish is that our nation should be Hindu nation, Gaumata should be our Rashtramata and Akhand Bharat should be built,' he said. On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced that the ongoing Amarnath Yatra has surpassed the 2-lakh mark, with devotees continuing to throng the holy cave shrine. In a post on X, LG Sinha expressed his joy, stating, 'With Baba Amarnath Ji's blessings, the holy pilgrimage has crossed the 2 lakh mark today. This is a sacred journey of a lifetime, and I welcome all the devotees to discover and experience the divinity. Har Har Mahadev!' The 38-day annual Amarnath pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9. (ANI)
