Despite lockdown, about 200 tea gardens open in north Bengal

Sprawling across the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduars, the belt has another 40,000 small growers who employ one lakh labourers. Most of these gardens operated on Tuesday.

Writes : Snigdhendu Bhattacharya and Pramod Giri , Hindustan Times, Kolkata/Siliguri

Thousands of workers in about 200 tea gardens in northern West Bengal continued to work on Tuesday, despite a complete lockdown announced by Mamata Banerjee from Monday evening, triggering a huge controversy.

The Darjeeling hills and Dooars region of West Bengal have 283 tea gardens, employing 350,000 permanent and casual workers, who earn Rs 176 per day besides the weekly ration.

Sprawling across the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduars, the belt has another 40,000 small growers who employ one lakh labourers. Most of these gardens operated on Tuesday.

While no worker turned up on Wednesday, the gardens have not yet issued any notification stating closure of operations. It remained uncertain whether the gardens would function on Wednesday, as a section of workers were confused and panicked over the prospect of a loss of pay.

Ram Avtar Sharma, secretary of the Dooars branch of Tea Association of India, said that they did not receive “any specific instruction” from the administration to keep the gardens closed.

“Most of the gardens in Dooars were open on Tuesday but none functioned on Wednesday because workers did not turn up,” Sharma said.

Prabir Kumar Bhattacharya, the secretary-general of Tea Association of India, said that the government order issued announcing lockdown from March 23 did not mention the areas where the gardens are located.

“In view of the revised order issued by the chief secretary on March 24 when the entire state of West Bengal has been advised to be locked out, the industry shall be taking a decision on this matter soon,” Bhattacharya said.

The March 22 order enforcing the Complete Safety Regulations had mentioned the towns of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kurseung, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jaigaon in the three districts.

It had instructed a five-day closure of all public transport facilities, shops, commercial establishments, factories workshops and godowns and prohibited the gathering of more than seven persons from Monday evening.

The order issued by the state government on March 24, extending the lockdown till March 31, mentioned ‘whole of West Bengal’.

“This is the time for the first flush, which fetches the highest price, and helps us survive throughout the year. Closing gardens would amount to huge losses. Besides, workers would demand wages and ration if we close the gardens on our own. Let the administration close them down if they want,” a manager of a tea garden, who did not want to be identified, said.

Saman Pathak, a leader of the Joint Forum of Trade Unions in the Tea Industry who belongs to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), wrote a letter to the district magistrate on Tuesday, appealing to implement Complete Safety Regulations in the gardens.

Local human rights activist Rupan Deb said that the administration needed to send teams in the gardens to inquire about people’s travel history.

“Many family members of garden workers migrate to other states, including Kerala and Maharashtra, for work in different industries. Many of them have returned recently but have not reported them to the administration. If the administration does not take precautionary steps immediately and fails to ensure wages and rations, there could be trouble,” Deb said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Alipurduars MP John Barla alleged that tea gardens’ management forced and threatened workers to join plucking tea leaves.

“They forced workers to gather at the gardens. The tea gardens owners are risking the lives of thousands of workers for their monetary benefits,” Barla alleged.

Sonia Jabbar, the owner of Nuxalbari Tea Estate, rubbished Barla’s allegations.

“We come under the organised sector and we act only on the basis of written communication from our association or the administration. There was no such communication. We only take orders. Everything is decided by three parties - government, unions and owners through the ITA and other associations. So there’s no question of forcing workers,” Jabbar said.

“The allegation of forcing workers to work is absolutely baseless. On the other hand, we at our garden ensured that every worked maintained the distance of six feet and washed their hands every two hours. Now that the prime minister has announced a country-wide total lockdown for 21 days, we will not function from Wednesday,” she added.

However, BJP’s Madarihat MLA Manoj Tigga alleged that most of the gardens in Alipurduars did not follow safety measures, including maintaining the minimum distance between workers.

There are nine Covid-19 patients in the state, which has also reported one death, so far.

Source : Hindustan Times

कोरोना वायरस: मुश्किल में पड़ीं दुती चंद, ओलिंपिक खेलने की उम्मीदों को लगा झटका

भारत की फर्राटा क्वीन दुती चंद के लिए ओलिंपिक्स का टिकट कटाना मुश्किल हो गया है क्योंकि कोविड-19 महामारी के कारण वह जर्मनी में अभ्यास और प्रतियोगिताओं में भाग नहीं ले पा रही हैं।

भारत की फर्राटा क्वीन दुती चंद के लिए ओलिंपिक्स का टिकट कटाना मुश्किल हो गया है क्योंकि कोविड-19 महामारी के कारण वह जर्मनी में अभ्यास और प्रतियोगिताओं में भाग नहीं ले पा रही हैं। दुती को जर्मनी में दो मार्च से ओलिंपिक्स क्वॉलिफायर्स में भाग लेना था, लेकिन वीजा और प्रायोजन मिलने के बावजूद वह कोरोना वायरस के कारण नहीं जा सकीं। दुती ने कहा, ‘मुझे जर्मनी में दो मार्च से प्रतिस्पर्धा में भाग लेना था। मुझे यूरोप में कुछ अच्छी प्रतियोगिताओं में हिस्सा लेना था ताकि ओलिंपिक्स के लिए क्वॉलिफाइ कर सकूं लेकिन कोरोना वायरस के कारण मेरी योजनाओं पर पानी फिर गया।'

उन्होंने कहा, 'मैंने वीजा और बाकी यात्रा दस्तावेज बना लिए थे और मैं जर्मनी जाने को तैयार थी कि मुझे वहां से संदेश मिला कि कोरोना वायरस के कारण मैं वहां नहीं आऊं। मैं बहुत निराश हूं।’

INSPIRIA KNOWLEDGE CAMPUS ORGANISES YOUTH RUN ON MARCH 29

Inspiria Knowledge Campus will organize YOUTH RUN 2020 on the 29th of March featuring over 1000 runners from Siliguri and surrounding areas. This is the third year of Inspiria’s YOUTH RUN which is now an annual event in its calendar. 

The idea behind the YOUTH RUN is to promote awareness about health and fitness among the people. This year has over 14 sponsors for the run. Powered by spot has been taken by Winkie’s - the cake Specialist, and Tata Pravesh and Axis bank are Associate Sponsors.

Like in the last two years, the YOUTH RUN will have two sections – the 5 km run and the 10 km run. Participants cutting across all ages will run through Himachal Vihar and Uttorayon to complete the 5 km/10 km stretches. As part of the running kit each runner will be provided a personalised name printed bib and a stylish T10 branded running T-shirt. Runners who have registered themselves for the event would have to report to the campus at 6:45 a.m as the run would be flagged off at 7:30 a.m.

Runners will experience unique features along the route like a dedicated cheer squad sponsored by Apollo clinic and energy drink sponsored by Fast & Up. Once runners reach the finish line, each finisher will we galanded with a unique medal made for this edition. 

Live bytes will be aired on Radio Mirchi and live posts will be put up by Khabar Samay on Social media platforms. Each participant will be offered fresh sandwiches by Subway and Keventer Bananas and with this offering will further endorse healthy eating. Free Digital photos will be made available to the runners within a few hours of race completion, this technology has never been used before in Siliguri.

There will be 6 winners in each race category, 3 male and 3 female, each winner will be awarded certificate, trophy and shoes from Ajanta Impakto as part of the winnings.

To create more awareness about the run, this year we have roped in Priti Rai, who is the winner of Tata Mumbai Marathon, Mr. Siliguri and Mr Jayraj Pradhan, Fitness Coach

To help our runners achieve their PB’s and finish the run in a desired time we have pacers spread across timings.

The YOUTH RUN event is geared to a noble cause. Funds generated from the run would be used to support under-privileged meritorious students.

Regards,

Rahul Gupta

Race Director

93-Year-Old Gentleman Finishes Masters In Public Administration From IGNOU

This 93-Year-Old Gentleman Finishes Masters In Public Administration From IGNOU

Mr Sivasubramanian received his masters' degree in public administration at the convocation and his zest for knowledge was praised by HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' who called him a 90-year-old "youngster".

New Delhi: "Family responsibilities kept me from pursuing my passion for studies, but at 87, finally, that opportunity knocked on my door," said 93-year-old CI Sivasubramanian who was the oldest student at the IGNOU convocation on Monday. Mr Sivasubramanian received his masters' degree in public administration at the convocation and his zest for knowledge was praised by HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' who called him a 90-year-old "youngster". 

"After finishing my school in 1940s, I wanted to go to college but that meant either shifting to Trichy or Chennai. Meanwhile, both my parents fell ill and my relatives advised me against going because I had to take care of them. So, I got a job and started working," he told PTI. 

Later, the family shifted to Delhi, and he got a job as a clerk in the Ministry of Commerce in 1940s. 

Over the years, he kept rising through the ranks, after appearing for various departmental exams, to finally retire as a director from the ministry in 1986 at the age of 58, but his one dream remained unfulfilled-- that of becoming a graduate. 

"In fact, I was offered an opportunity to be part of a programme in the United Nations. But since I was not a graduate, I could not go. 

"During my tenure at the ministry, I even enquired about the correspondence courses available at Delhi University but then I was transferred and could not pursue them," he said. 

The nonagenarian wanted to pursue studies after his retirement but then family responsibilities and ensuring that his children got the best education meant that his dream was put on the backburner. 

He has three daughters and a son, all of whom have retired from prestigious positions. 

"My grandchildren have finished their studies and some of them are married. One of my granddaughters is studying medicine in the US," he said. 

"I taught my children English and Maths when they were in school, but I myself could not pursue graduation then," he said. 

However, an unlikely turn of events ended up steering him in the direction of his dream. 

"My wife was rendered bedridden when I was 87. I used to be by her bedside all through the day and my daughters would also come. 

"One day, her physiotherapist said that he would leave a little early that day as he had to go to IGNOU to collect his form to apply for a course. I asked him to find out whether I could also apply. 

"He found that age is no bar at IGNOU and then I enrolled for the bachelors' course in public administration even though I told my children, 'I do not know whether I will be alive long enough to complete it'. After finishing my graduation, I enrolled for the masters degree," he said. 

In the last six years, his routine revolved around getting up at 5 am and immersing himself in books. 

"I would study early in the morning so that I could keep time for other activities through the day. I am a sports enthusiast also and love watching sports," he said. 

As his handwriting became illegible with age, his daughter used to write his assignments and she was also his scribe during exams. A tragedy struck him last year when he lost his wife, but not before she held his degree in her hands. 

"I had completed my degree but it was only after a year that I received it. In that period, my wife was in her last stages and I handed her the degree and told her, 'Finally, your husband is a graduate'. She passed away two days later," he said. 

Asked about his plans now, he said, "I wanted to pursue MPhil but then one of my daughters said, 'There are few seats in MPhil and if you enroll for it, you will snatch the seat of an eligible candidate. 

"I have asked them whether I can pursue another masters' course but I will see. Meanwhile, I have learnt that there are short-term courses offered by some websites, so I will probably choose one of them," he said

PANIGHATTA KADMA MORE - NOW A REGULAR ACCIDENT PRONE ZONE

PANIGHATTA KADMA MORE - NOW A REGULAR ACCIDENT PRONE ZONE

This evening at around 6 p.m a scooty lost control and met with an accident. Two of its riders is badly injured and are not in  their senses. 

The locals have admitted them to the nearby hospital. Sources informed that their condition is very critical.

Please pray that they regain their senses and recover soon 🙏

Request all to please drive slow and be safe..!!

TRAGIC : 8 tourists from Kerala, including 4 kids, found dead in Nepal hotel room - All the eight were found unconscious and the room's doors and windows were bolted from the inside

Ranjith and Indu with Madhav

Praveen, Sharanya and their family. All five of them died

8 tourists from Kerala, including 4 kids, found dead in Nepal hotel room

All the eight were found unconscious and the room's doors and windows were bolted from the inside.

By : Sreedevi Jayarajan

A holiday turned tragic for eight Indian tourists who were found unconscious in a hotel room in Daman, Nepal. They were airlifted to a Kathmandu hospital on Tuesday and declared dead on arrival. They are believed to have died because of asphyxiation due to a gas heater. 

A group of 15 people who hailed from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala had travelled to Nepal on holiday. They were traveling from Pokhara to take a flight back to India and had made a pitstop at a hotel in Daman in Nepal’s Makwanpur district, where they had turned on the gas heater for the night, to keep themselves warm. The area is at an altitude of nearly 2500 metres above sea level.

The manager of the resort told Himalayan Times that the guests had booked four rooms but eight of them stayed in a room, while the remaining others in other rooms.

Praveen Krishnan Nair (39) and his wife Saranya (34) died along with their three kids, Sreebhadra (9), Aarcha (8) and Abhi Nair (7). While Praveen who hails from Thiruvananthapuram was working in Dubai, his wife was studying for his Masters degree in Kochi.

Praveen's friend Renjith Kumar TB (39) who hails from Kozhikode, his wife Indu Renjith (34) and their son Vaishnav Renjith (2) were also sleeping in the same room, according to a press release issued by the District Police Office, Makwanpur. All three of them too died. The couple had two children, their son Madhav was reportedly was sleeping in a different room and his life was spared.

The deceased persons were found unconscious inside a locked suite inside the Everest Panorama Resort in Daman. According to the hotel manager, the room in which they were found unconscious was bolted from inside. The local police were alerted after the rest of the group staying in another room went to check on them. They were immediately airlifted to Kathmandu following this. A picture of the room shows an outdoor heater that was used in the room. There have been many cases in the past where people have died because of carbon monoxide poisoning. When a heater is used in an enclosed space, a gas leak can cause a carbon monoxide build up in the room, leading to poisoning.

“Prima facie we believe that the deaths of the 8 persons was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or suffocation by carbon monoxide. The room was found to be poorly ventilated with the doors and windows closed and the heater turned on. There were also 8 people inside the room. Asphyxiation deaths have happened earlier too in hotels in Kathmandu. Two years ago, two Chinese nationals died due to asphyxiation in a Kathmandu hotel and 10 years we have had a case of an Italian couple passing away in similar circumstances,” Dr Harihar Wosti, senior pathologist at the forensic department of Teaching Hospital told TNM. 

 

The doctors are currently waiting for details from the police regarding the time of death and other documents from the Indian Embassy in order to go ahead with the autopsy. 

 

“We will most probably be performing the autopsy on Wednesday morning and will prepare a report after analysing the medical history, circumstances and the condition of the bodies of the deceased,” he added. 

They were airlifted in two sorties to HAMS hospital in Dhumbahari, Kathmandu, where they were declared brought dead on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy issued a statement on the deaths. "Our doctor, along with a member of the group, is in the hospital. Other group members and family from India/Dubai are on their way to Kathmandu. Contact details of Mission officials have been shared with family/friends," it said. 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought the intervention of External Affairs minister S Jaishanakar to render all assistance to the families of the eight keralite tourists who died at a resort in Nepal.

Source : https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/8-tourists-kerala-including-4-kids-found-dead-nepal-hotel-room-116519

ATM frauds target elderly - More than 60 cases had been reported and over Rs 25 lakh lost

Two men have been arrested on charges of cheating elderly citizens in Calcutta on the pretext of helping them withdraw money from ATMs.

Police said the duo, who are from Gaya in Bihar, had used skimmers to steal encrypted data from the magnetic strips of ATM cards when elderly people handed over their cards to them, seeking help in withdrawing money.

The detective department’s anti-bank fraud section has seized 38 cloned cards, which suggest that data from at least 38 ATM cards had been stolen over the past few weeks in the city, the police said.

The police arrested Mudassar Khan and Irfanuddin on Thursday in connection with four cases.

Cops could get pictures of the accused through CCTV camera footage of the ATM kiosks from where money had been withdrawn without the knowledge of the card holder.

A few weeks ago, dozens of Calcuttans had lost money from their bank accounts through ATM withdrawals in south Delhi.

More than 60 cases had been reported and over Rs 25 lakh lost.

The police had busted a Romanian gang running the racket in Delhi.

Investigators, however, feel Mudassar and Irfanuddin were not linked to the Romanian gang.

“They do not appear to be part of a larger gang. Their modus operandi is different from the Romanian gang. The Romanian gang used to install skimmers in ATMs, leave it there and later use the data to clone cards,” an officer said.

“These two men mostly offered help to the elderly, asked them for the PIN to complete a transaction and exchange the cards with old invalid ones. At times, they would confuse the elderly and swipe the cards through a skimmer pretending to help them and steal the data for later use.”

Mudassar and Irfanuddin were picked up on Thursday evening minutes before they were to board a train to Darjeeling from Sealdah.

“A skimming device, a laptop, a Magnetic Strip Reader Writer (MSRW) have been seized from them,” Murlidhar Sharma, joint commissioner (crime), said.

The two had been living separately at rented apartments in Jadavpur and Tiljala.

The seized cloned cards had their PINs written on the back, an officer said. All the cases where the elderly were cheated had been reported from unguarded ATM kiosks.

“Elderly people are most vulnerable... they often find it difficult to follow the steps in different ATM kiosks and end up seeking help from guards or someone waiting to withdraw money,” an officer said. “Cheats keep watch for such people and offer help seeing them fumble at the kiosk.”

Via : The Telegraph