Three killed as mud house wall collapses in southern Bengal
A woman and her two minor daughters were crushed to death when a wall of their mud house collapsed in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district in the early hours of Thursday, police and local residents said. The incident occurred in Kamarpara village under Mandirbazar police station, about 70 kilometres south of Kolkata. According to police, the victims were identified as Brishpati Karmakar, 43, and her daughters Shila, 15, and Priya, 10. They were sleeping inside their mud house when a wall suddenly gave way around dawn following days of incessant rain. Neighbours said they heard a loud crash and rushed out to investigate. “We saw that the wall of the Karmakars’ house had caved in and the three were trapped inside,” a resident told Press. Locals managed to pull the trio from the debris and alerted police. They were taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared them dead on arrival. Police have sent the bodies for autopsy at the Diamond Harbour government hospital. Officials said the house had become fragile due to continuous monsoon showers. “The foundation of the wall had loosened and the mud structure was unstable. Unfortunately, the family continued to stay there despite the risks,” a police officer said. Sources added that the Karmakar family had received financial assistance under the state’s Bangla Awas Yojana housing scheme for construction of a brick house. They had already received the second instalment of funds but the construction work had been delayed. Local residents said Brishpati had planned to start building a permanent home but the old mud dwelling remained their only shelter. The tragedy has sparked concern over the safety of hundreds of rural families in South 24 Parganas and other districts who continue to live in mud houses vulnerable to collapse during heavy rains. Mandirbazar legislator Joydeb Haldar visited the bereaved family and assured government support. “It is a heartbreaking incident. The administration will stand beside them,” he said. Heavy rainfall in parts of southern Bengal over the past week has damaged several mud houses, officials said.
Unprecedented chaos in Bengal assembly over Bengali identity debate
West Bengal’s legislative assembly was rocked by unprecedented chaos Thursday as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clashed with opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators during a heated debate on alleged harassment of Bengalis outside the state, resulting in shouting matches, scuffles with marshals and the suspension of two opposition lawmakers. The uproar began almost immediately after Banerjee stood up to deliver her speech in a special session convened to discuss reports of Bengalis facing discrimination in other Indian states. BJP members rose from their benches, shouting slogans and interrupting her remarks. Speaker Biman Banerjee repeatedly urged them to allow the chief minister to speak, even granting them permission to respond once she finished. But the BJP MLAs refused to yield and continued shouting, prompting the Speaker to suspend BJP legislator Shankar Ghosh under Rule 348 of the House. When marshals moved in to escort him out, Ghosh resisted and fell to the floor in the well of the House. Scuffles broke out as other BJP members surrounded him, tearing papers and throwing them in protest. After several minutes of jostling, marshals physically removed him, as BJP MLAs shouted “one-two-three-four, Trinamool is full of thieves.” Banerjee, known for her combative style, hit back immediately. She led ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators in counter-slogans: “one-two-three-four, BJP are the biggest thieves” and “Modi chor (Modi thief).” She accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party of being a “party of vote thieves” and charged that the BJP had “sold off the country.” “You are a party of thieves, of vote robbers,” she shouted. “India needs change. Remove BJP, save the country. Remove the anti-Bengal BJP, save the country. You will be reduced to zero.” As tensions soared, Banerjee herself left her chair and entered the well of the House — a rare move by a sitting chief minister — to rein in her.
Calcutta High Court urges stakeholders to resolve Metro viaduct clearance issue
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday suggested that all stakeholders meet to resolve the impasse over police clearance for construction of a viaduct on the Kavi Subhash–Airport Metro line at Chingrighata, across the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. Completion of the viaduct will allow commercial services to begin between Kavi Subhash and Sector V Metro stations, easing travel for thousands of commuters. A division bench presided over by Justice Sujoy Paul, with Justice Smita Das De, said the issue should be addressed in “larger public interest.” The court directed counsels representing the Metro Railway, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL), the West Bengal government and Kolkata Police to inform it on Thursday of the date of a proposed meeting and the names of officers authorized to take decisions. “During the course of hearing, the court suggested that in order to solve the problem which is in larger public interest, why not competent officers of all stakeholders sit together to find out a solution,” the bench noted in its order. The counsels welcomed the proposal and agreed to update the court on scheduling. The bench said it will fix a date and time limit for the joint meeting after receiving inputs on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new Metro sections in Kolkata on Aug. 22, including part of the Kavi Subhash–Airport line. Services on the line currently operate up to Beleghata from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Hospital) station. Metro Railway authorities said they are awaiting police permission to launch girders at the Chingrighata crossing, which will link already completed stretches on both sides.
Hindus Outraged by Trump Adviser Navarro’s ‘Anti-Brahmin’ Remark
Hindu groups in the United States are demanding the removal of Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro after he made remarks accusing India’s Brahmin community of profiteering from discounted Russian oil, sparking a storm of criticism both in the US and India. Speaking at a recent policy discussion, Navarro claimed that India was acting as a “laundry for the Kremlin,” purchasing crude oil from Russia at discounted prices, refining it, and then selling it to Europe at a profit. In his comments, he singled out “Brahmins,” suggesting they were reaping the benefits of the trade “at the expense of the Indian people.” “India is nothing more than a laundromat for the Kremlin… you’ve helped the Brahmins profit at the expense of ordinary Indians. This has to stop,” Navarro said, without clarifying why he referred specifically to the Brahmin community. The remark has been met with strong backlash from Hindu advocacy groups in the United States, who accuse Navarro of fueling caste-based divisions and displaying what they describe as “colonial arrogance.” Ajay Shah, executive director of the Washington-based advocacy group HinduPACT, called the comment “pure Hinduphobia.” “This has nothing to do with foreign policy,” Shah said. “It is a divisive remark targeting Hindus with a colonial mindset.” Deepthi Mahajan, president of the same organization, added: “If Navarro was addressing Hindus as a community, this is religious bigotry. If he was addressing India’s leadership, it is a diplomatic misstep. Either way, the statement is reckless.” The controversy has spilled over into Indian political circles as well. On X, Indian parliamentarian Sagarika Ghosh sought to contextualize the comment, noting that the phrase “Boston Brahmins” was historically used in the United States to describe wealthy elites. “Even today, some English speakers use ‘Brahmin’ as a shorthand for the rich,” Ghosh explained, suggesting Navarro’s usage may have drawn from that lineage. Still, Hindu groups argue the impact of his words is deeply damaging. “This is an attempt to sow divisions among Hindus,” Shah said. “We reject this rhetoric and call for his immediate dismissal from the Trump campaign.” Navarro, who has been a close adviser to Trump since his first administration, also criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I don’t understand why the world’s largest democracy would choose to stand with Putin and Xi,” he said. With Trump campaigning for a return to the White House in 2025, Navarro’s remarks threaten to strain relations with Indian-American voters, many of whom see his words as inflammatory and divisive.
Landslide Kills 6 in Himachal Pradesh, Several Homes Destroyed
Heavy rains triggered a landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, killing at least six people and leaving two others missing, officials said Wednesday. The landslide struck Sundernagar area, where four members of the same family were among the dead. Authorities said 16 houses were completely destroyed in Darki hill area, while another 40 remain in a precarious condition. A red alert was issued, and the entire village was evacuated. “Most residents had already moved out sensing the danger, which helped prevent more casualties,” a local official said. The district administration announced that schools would shift to online classes until further notice. Landslides and flooding have blocked at least 1,333 roads across the region, officials added. The India Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Kullu, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts until noon. Forecasts also suggest heavy rain may continue in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan and Una. Deadly monsoon-triggered landslides are common in Himachal Pradesh, where steep terrain and fragile soil make villages vulnerable to heavy rain.
Former Bengal minister Paresh Chandra Adhikari, daughter Ankita surrender in SSC recruitment scam case
Former West Bengal minister Paresh Chandra Adhikari and his daughter Ankita Adhikari surrendered before a special CBI court in Alipore on Wednesday in connection with the multi-crore SSC recruitment scam. Both appeared in court and filed bail petitions. Alongside them, Sukanta Acharya, personal secretary to former education minister Partha Chatterjee, also surrendered. Several others accused in the case, including Partha Chatterjee, Samarjit Acharya and Parna Basu, moved for bail as well. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposed the bail pleas, arguing that each case carries distinct charges and that the recruitment irregularities have had a “serious impact on society.” The developments come just days after the CBI filed its final charge sheet in the SSC Group C recruitment case. Earlier, the agency had submitted charge sheets in the Class IX-X and Class XI-XII recruitment cases. In total, four charge sheets have now been filed across multiple cases, with around 75 accused summoned to court. Ankita Adhikari, who had secured a teaching post in political science for Classes XI-XII through SSC, was named in the infamous “tainted candidates list” at No. 104. Her appointment was challenged in court by job aspirant Babita Sarkar, leading Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court to cancel her appointment in May 2022 and order her to return nearly Rs 15 lakh in salary. The money was later awarded to Sarkar, though her own appointment was also cancelled due to evaluation errors. Eventually, another candidate, Anamika Roy, was appointed, only to lose her job too when 26,000 appointments were annulled last year. The SSC scam probe began in 2022, and within 51 days the CBI filed its first charge sheet naming senior officials and political figures, including Partha Chatterjee, Samarjit Acharya, ex-adviser Shanti Prasad Sinha and former SSC chairman Soumitra Sarkar. While the final charge sheet includes no new names, sources say it contains fresh evidence, including voice samples collected from five accused. The case, involving illegal appointments in Groups C and D as well as Classes IX-XII, remains one of the largest recruitment scandals in Bengal’s history, with investigations still ongoing.
Kolkata emerges as fertility hub as IVF demand grows across borders
Kolkata is fast emerging as a leading destination for fertility treatments in South Asia, attracting patients not only from across India but also from neighbouring countries and even Western nations. According to Dr Swati Mishra, Centre Head and Senior Consultant at Birla Fertility & IVF Kolkata, patients from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, the United States and the United Kingdom are regularly travelling to the city to seek advanced reproductive care. Dr Mishra said lifestyle-related conditions now play a significant role in fertility challenges. “Issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, azoospermia and reduced sperm health account for nearly a third of cases we see. These reflect broader urban health patterns linked to stress, irregular sleep, sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits,” she explained. She also pointed to a noticeable rise in younger women opting for egg freezing, a sign of growing awareness around fertility preservation. “This reflects the confidence women now have in planning their reproductive choices at the right time,” Dr Mishra added. Birla Fertility & IVF, part of the CK Birla Group, has marked four years of operations in Kolkata, having grown from its first centre in 2021 to three facilities across the city, including a recently launched clinic in New Town. “This expansion demonstrates both the rising demand for advanced fertility solutions and the trust patients place in us,” Dr Mishra said. The company’s CEO, Abhishek Aggarwal, said the Kolkata centres serve not just the city but the wider eastern region and beyond. “Completing four years in Kolkata is a reflection of the trust this city has placed in us. Our centres here cater to patients from Kolkata, Eastern India and Bangladesh. As we expand towards building 100 clinics nationwide, our priority will remain affordable, accessible and clinically reliable fertility care,” Aggarwal said. Specialists highlight that Kolkata offers a full spectrum of fertility treatments. Birla Fertility & IVF provides in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), frozen embryo transfer (FET), blastocyst culture, as well as male and female infertility treatments. The centres also cater to advanced needs such as cancer fertility preservation, preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). For many patients, Kolkata offers an affordable alternative to treatment in other parts of Asia or the West, without compromising on technology or expertise. Doctors say the city’s growing reputation as a hub for fertility solutions reflects both changing social realities and medical progress in Eastern India.
MLA Shaukat Molla’s Convoy Involved in Fatal Accident Near Science City
A tragic road accident involving the convoy of Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Shaukat Molla claimed the life of a young motorcyclist on Tuesday. The accident occurred near Bamanghata, close to Science City, when one of the convoy’s vehicles collided head-on with a motorcycle. According to police sources, the deceased has been identified as Mohammad Tajuddin. He was rushed to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata in critical condition soon after the accident but later succumbed to his injuries in the afternoon. The incident took place when Shaukat Molla, MLA from Canning East and TMC’s observer for Bhangar, was travelling from Jibantala in South 24 Parganas to Kolkata. Around mid-morning, his convoy encountered the mishap as it was passing through Bamanghata along the Basanti Highway. Eyewitnesses said that the pilot car of the convoy was leading Molla’s vehicle when a motorcycle suddenly came into its path. Unable to control the situation, the police pilot car rammed into the two-wheeler. The impact was so severe that the bike was completely mangled, while the front portion of the pilot car was also badly damaged. Tajuddin, who was riding the motorcycle, sustained multiple serious injuries. Simultaneously, the driver of the pilot car was also injured in the crash. While the driver was immediately taken to the Bhangar Nalmuri hospital for treatment, Tajuddin’s condition was deemed critical, prompting his transfer to SSKM Hospital’s trauma care unit. Despite best efforts by doctors, his injuries proved fatal. Local sources confirmed that the accident caused panic in the area for a brief period, with passersby rushing to assist before emergency services arrived. The police quickly cleared the highway to prevent traffic congestion, as the accident site lies on a busy corridor connecting Kolkata with South 24 Parganas. Preliminary investigation suggests that the motorcycle suddenly swerved into the lane of the pilot car, leaving little time for the police driver to react. However, the exact sequence of events is still under review. Officials from the Leather Complex police station, under whose jurisdiction the accident site falls, have started an investigation to ascertain responsibility. Meanwhile, MLA Shaukat Molla was unharmed as the accident occurred in the vehicle immediately ahead of his. He was travelling in the second car of the convoy. Party sources said he expressed deep grief over the young motorcyclist’s death and extended condolences to the bereaved family. The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety and convoy movements on congested urban highways, where sudden turns and unpredictable traffic often increase the risks of accidents.
India’s premier Institute BIT Mesra signs MoU with alumnus Madan Mohan Mohanka to set up innovation, entrepreneurship centre
India’s one of the premier Institute Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra on Tuesday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Madan Mohan Mohanka, chairman of Tega Industries and a distinguished alumnus, to establish an innovation and entrepreneurship centre at its Ranchi campus. Mohanka, a 1964 graduate of the institute, has pledged 5 crore rupees ($600,000) towards setting up the Madan Mohan Mohanka Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The centre will serve as an incubation hub for startups and aims to promote research, innovation and entrepreneurial ventures among students, faculty and young people in Jharkhand, the institute said in a statement. The MoU was signed in the presence of C.K. Birla, chairman of the C.K. Birla Group, and several BIT Mesra alumni including Vijay Burman, Prem Anup Sinha, Anjana Dikshit and Soma Bannerjee. Vice Chancellor Prof. Indranil Manna and Dean of Alumni and International Relations Prof. Shradha Shivani represented the institute. “With this centre, my vision is to inspire students to dream big and develop solutions that address critical challenges of our time,” Mohanka said. BIT Mesra said the facility will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and mentorship to entrepreneurs, with support from institutions including State Bank of India, whose deputy managing director and alumnus Prem Anup Sinha said the bank’s Startup Banking service would assist the centre. Founded in 1955, BIT Mesra is one of India’s leading technical institutes, with a 780-acre campus in Ranchi and centres in India and overseas. It was among the first in the country to set up a department of space engineering and rocketry in 1964 and an on-campus entrepreneurs’ park.
Landslide in Sudan’s Darfur kills 1,000, rebel group says
A landslide triggered by heavy rains in Sudan’s western Darfur region has destroyed an entire village, killing around 1,000 people, a rebel group said on Monday. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) said the disaster struck on Aug. 31 in the Tarasin area of the Marra Mountains after days of torrential rainfall. Only one villager was pulled out alive from the rubble, the group added. The SLM appealed to the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies to help recover bodies buried under the debris. Sudan has been gripped by civil war since April 2023, when the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, turned their power struggle into open conflict. Both sides have been accused of atrocities, including killings, rape and looting. The war has killed more than 20,000 people nationwide, according to estimates, with Darfur among the hardest-hit regions. Thousands of civilians displaced by the fighting had sought refuge in the Marra Mountains, where they were caught by the landslide. Darfur’s army-backed governor, Minni Minnawi, described the disaster as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” But rescue efforts have been hampered by the ongoing fighting, leaving survivors with little assistance.
