Page 27 - Kolkata

Vistara expresses regret over incident involving blind woman passenger

Vistara has expressed regret about the incident involving a blind woman passenger who allegedly had to wait for a long time to deboard from a flight at Kolkata airport last week. The woman passenger's son took to social media to narrate the incident that happened on the Delhi-Kolkata flight after it landed at Kolkata airport on August 31. In a short video narrating the incident that was posted on Instagram, the woman passenger's son Ayush Kejriwal said his mother is blind and there was an assisted travel plan for her using a wheelchair. When the flight landed at Kolkata, everybody got off and mother had to wait, he claimed. Later, she raised an alarm that she was to get down at Kolkata airport. The flight was en route to Port Blair. "@vistara Airlines, how could you put my blind mother in danger like this?! Are you not responsible for taking care of disabled passengers who are left under your supervision and assistance whilst travelling?! SHOCKING!," Kejriwal said in an Instagram .

Telcos face intentional fibre cuts by cable operators in Kolkata: COAI

The telecom industry is facing critical network downtime in the metropolis, as service providers are suffering from widespread intentional fibre cuts by local cable operators (LCOs) across several localities, the Cellular Operators Association of India claimed on Thursday. Such unwarranted coercive actions from unauthorised entities to skew fair competition and limit the customers' choice of service providers, is completely unfair and unjustified, it said in a statement. The telecom service providers (TSPs) are not even being allowed to acquire fresh connections by the LCOs, the COAI claimed. The telecom industry is facing a critical network downtime situation in Kolkata, as the TSPs are suffering from widespread intentional fibre cuts/damage by Local Cable Operators (LCOs) across several localities within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and surrounding non-KMC areas, which is resulting in the customers suffering due to lack of essential digital connectivity, it said. The field .

IndiGo reports 2 engine shutdowns mid-air, both aircraft land safely

In the second such instance in a time difference of a few hours, an IndiGo flight from Kolkata to Bengaluru on Tuesday reported a mid-air glitch after one of its engines shut down but landed safely

ASL acquires Japanese-built vessel, to pursue further fleet growth

Apeejay Shipping Ltd (ASL) on Friday announced the acquisition of a Japanese-built vessel with a deadweight capacity of 76,812 MT. The vessel adds significant strength to the Kolkata-based company's fleet, now totalling 10 vessels and boasting of a combined deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 671,332 MT. The cost and financing details of the acquisition were not shared. "We will continue to look for and acquire more ships and focus on expansion and growth," said Karan Paul, Chairman of the Apeejay Surendra Group. Officials shared that ASL, the third-largest ship owner in India, aims to achieve a capacity of one million tonnes in the future. The announcement of this acquisition coincides with the celebration of ASL's 75th year of existence. In 2022, the Union government announced a range of measures to enhance the tonnage of Indian shipping companies, including subsidies. Meanwhile, an ICRA credit report of July 2022, highlighted ASL's track record, noting its previous acquisitions of th

Amid Jadavpur University death row, what are the anti-ragging laws in India

A first-year student of the Jadavpur University in Kolkata died after falling from the first floor of his hostel last week

Prez launches Navy's advanced stealth frigate INS Vindhyagiri in Kolkata

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launched 'Vindhyagiri', an advanced stealth frigate, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd's (GRSE) facility on the banks of Hooghly river here. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were also present on the occasion. This is the sixth of seven ships built under 'Project 17 Alpha' for the Navy. The first five ships of the project were launched between 2019 and 2022. This is the third and last stealth frigate that the Kolkata-based warship maker was contracted to build for the Navy under the project. The official said that 75 per cent of orders for equipment and systems of P17A ships are from indigenous firms, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The state-of-the-art ship will be fitted with the latest gadgets and undergo extensive trials before being handed over to the Indian Navy for commissioning into service. P17A ships are guided missile frigates, each of which is 149 metres long

Murmu to launch advanced stealth frigate, de-addiction campaign in Kolkata

President Droupadi Murmu will visit in Kolkata on Thursday, during which she will launch an advanced stealth frigate for the Indian Navy and a de-addiction campaign. Murmu will launch the 'Vindhyagiri' at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd's (GRSE) facility on the banks of Hooghly river, further propelling India's maritime prowess, a defence official said. This is the sixth of seven ships being built under 'Project 17 Alpha' for the Navy. The first five ships of the project were launched between 2019 and 2022. This is the third and last stealth frigate that the Kolkata-based warship maker was contracted to build for the Navy under the project. The official said that 75 per cent of orders for equipment and systems of P17A ships are from indigenous firms, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The state-of-the-art ship will be fitted with the latest gadgets and undergo extensive trials before being handed over to the Indian Navy for commissioning into ...

Ahmedabad most affordable city in India; Pune, Kolkata follow: Knight Frank

Mumbai is the least affordable city followed by Hyderabad and the National Capital Region

Six more held in connection with death of JU student, officer says

The Kolkata Police arrested six more people in connection with its probe into the death of a first-year student of Jadavpur University, a senior officer said on Wednesday. With these arrests, the city police apprehended a total of nine people in the case. Dean of Students and Registrar of JU were asked to meet Joint CP Crime on Wednesday at the Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters, the officer said. The city police have taken cognisance of JU students' social media posts, including photographs, which suggest that there was an element of sexual harassment in the ragging of the deceased. Three former students of the varsity are among the six held on Tuesday night during multiple operations conducted by teams of the city police, the officer said. "We arrested them last night after they gave incoherent replies to our officers during questioning. It seems that they were actively involved in the death of the student. We will produce them in a court later in the day," he told ...

President Murmu to launch frigate 'Vindhyagiri' in Kolkata on August 17

President Droupadi Murmu will launch frigate 'Vindhyagiri' in Kolkata on August 17, the Indian Navy said on Sunday. Named after the mountain range in Karnataka, Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A programme. It will be launched by President Murmu at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata on August 17, the Navy said. "Vindhyagiri, a technologically advanced frigate, pays a befitting tribute to the distinguished service of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Vindhyagiri," it said. The old Vindhyagiri in its nearly 31 years of service from July 1981 to Jun 2012, had witnessed various challenging operations and multinational exercises. "The newly christened Vindhyagiri stands as a symbol of India's determination to embrace its rich naval heritage while propelling itself towards a future of indigenous defence capabilities," the Navy said in a statement. Under the Project 17A programme, a total of four ships by Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) and three ships

Timely asset tracing, crime proceeds identification important: PM Modi

Addressing via video conferencing the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group's third and final ministerial meeting held in Kolkata PM Modi recalled his very first G-20 Summit in 2014

Durand Cup: Mumbai City FC to face Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata

The match kicks off at 4.45 pm local time. In Saturday's first match, Bodoland FC take on Rajasthan United FC in the first-ever Durand Cup game in Kokrajhar

People of Kolkata to witness a 'supermoon' if weather stays clear

People of Kolkata will be able to witness a 'supermoon' on Tuesday if the monsoon sky permits, former director of M P Birla Planetarium Debiprosad Duari said. A supermoon will again be visible by the end of the month on August 30. The full moon, when it is closest to the Earth, is described as a 'supermoon'. The last time two supermoons were seen in the same month was in 2018, and the next such phenomenon will be witnessed in 2037, he said. "It is exciting as this coincides with the time Chandrayaan 3 module will be injected into the lunar transfer trajectory," Duari said. Chandrayaan 3 is scheduled to make a soft landing on the moon on August 23. "The moon goes around the Earth once in 27.3 days in an elliptic orbit. As a result, at some point in its orbit, the moon will be farthest from the Earth, with the distant point being called Apogee, while at some other time it will be closest to the Earth, with this point being called Perigee," he said. "When we have a full moon near .

Aviation Security Culture Week held at Kolkata airport to make flying safer

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security along with other agencies began observing Aviation Security Culture Week in the NSCB International Airport (NSCBI) in Kolkata on Monday. The main objective of security culture week is to inculcate security consciousness among members of the aviation community and passengers, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) statement said. This will make flying safer, it said. Various programmes such as awareness sessions, quiz contests, reward and recognition and walkathon will be organised throughout the week. The Aviation Security Culture Week commenced with an inauguration pledge by the director of NSCBI Airport C Pattabhi, and other top officials of different agencies. All the stakeholders such as the AAI, airlines, CISF and passengers will be participating in the security culture week on the theme 'See it, Say it, Secure it'. During this special week, various activities will be undertaken to educate, engage and create awareness about aviation securi

Man held for trying to enter Mamata Banerjee's home with arms in car

Police on Friday arrested a man, with arms in his car, for allegedly trying to enter West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence. The man wearing a black coat and tie identified as Sheikh Noor Alam was arrested after he tried to drive a car with a 'Police' sticker to Banerjee's residence on Harish Chatterjee Street, Kolkata Police Commissioner, Vineet Goyal said. Banerjee was in her home when the incident took place. "The man was carrying firearms, one kukri, ganja and several identity cards of different agencies like BSF and others in the car. He wanted to meet the CM. Our officers intercepted him when he was trying to enter Harish Chatterjee Street. Considering the fact that the CM is a Z-category protectee, this is a serious issue. We are trying to find out what was his actual purpose," Goyal said. The man was talking incoherently, he said. "He is saying that he is from Anandapur, then he is claiming to be from Paschim Medinipur. We are checking what's the .

Why central team not sent to Manipur, says Mamata at Kolkata rally

Continuing her tirade against the Centre over the Manipur crisis, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the BJP's 'Beti Bachao' scheme has now turned into 'Beti Jalao' (Burn our daughters). The TMC boss wondered why the Centre never bothered to send central teams to Manipur, where ethnic strife has claimed over 160 lives so far. We want to express our solidarity with Manipur. The BJP had sent so many central teams to Bengal (after the panchayat polls), why no central team was sent to the northeastern state? she questioned. Addressing the party's annual Martyrs' Day rally here, Banerjee expressed her solidarity with the newly formed opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A and asserted that their mission is to remove the saffron camp from power. She warned that the return of the BJP government would signal the demise of democracy. The TMC boss gave a clarion call to oust the BJP and refuted claims of personal ambitions by saying, We have no other demand, neither we want an

Rural TMC supporters streaming into Kolkata for Martyrs' Day rally

Tens of thousands of Trinamool Congress workers from villages and towns across the state are streaming into Kolkata for the ruling party's Marty's Day' rally on Friday. Many enthusiast party workers buoyed by a recent victory in rural polls have already arrived and have been staying in camps in Salt Lake and elsewhere. The TMC, which is part of the newly formed non-BJP alliance I.N.D.I.A, is likely to spell out at the rally its strategy for strengthening opposition unity and its design to counter the saffron party in the state. "The July 21 Martyrs' Day Rally holds a special place in our hearts. We have been dedicating this day to our martyrs and party workers," West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has said in a video message. The rally, considered to be a demonstration of TMC's mass support and strength, is being held when several leaders of the party are behind bars in corruption cases. The cases are being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and the

Services affected in Kolkata as migrants return to villages for rural polls

Services were affected in Kolkata as migrants employed in sectors ranging from domestic work to hospitality and transport went to their homes in villages to cast their vote in the West Bengal panchayat elections, and many are yet to rejoin work. Kolkata, being a fully urban area, is the lone district in the state which did not go to the rural polls. Commuters also faced a harrowing time as many buses and other vehicles were requisitioned for election duty. Restaurants and street food joints were also affected due to the exercise. Shiladitya Choudhury, owner of a chain of restaurants in the city, said, "On the polling day on Saturday (July 8), we barely managed with only around 40 per cent of the staffers. We had kept our menu short on that day." Owner of a roadside eatery in Salt Lake Sector V, the IT hub of the city, said pressure had mounted on his stall not only because some of his workers had left but also because other nearby shacks were shut. "The number of items had to be

Bengal governor takes stock of panchayat polls, meets bomb-attack victim

As part of his assurance to monitor the situation in West Bengal where panchayat polls are being held, Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on Saturday visited the residence of a person who was injured in a bomb attack in North 24 Parganas' Barasat-I subdivision. After speaking to his family members at Pirgachha, Bose went to the hospital in Barasat where the person is being treated and talked to doctors, an official said. "The Governor then arranged for the shifting of the person to city-based RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He also took stock of the situation and enquired about polling," he told PTI. Bose, who was supposed to travel to Nadia district, was stopped near Basudebpur on Kalyani Expressway by supporters of the BJP and CPI(M) who complained about "vote looting" and urged him to take action. Bose tried calling officials of the state election commission (SEC) and police but could not because of mobile connectivity issues, the official said. He later stopped at a rest house at

Vistara flight to Kolkata suffers technical snag; returns to Delhi

A Vistara aircraft en route to Kolkata suffered a technical snag and returned to the national capital on Friday evening, according to the airline. A source in the know said the plane operating flight UK 707 had an engine failure and that there were around 160 passengers onboard. "Shortly after take-off, a technical snag was detected on Vistara flight UK 707 operating from Delhi to Kolkata on 7 July 2023. As a precautionary step in accordance with the SOPs, the pilots decided to turn back and landed the flight safely at IGI airport, Delhi," a Vistara spokesperson said in a statement. However, the source said the aircraft had an engine failure and made an emergency landing at Delhi airport. The spokesperson said the aircraft is undergoing necessary checks. "An alternative aircraft was immediately arranged which will depart soon after all the customers are on-boarded. The concerned team is making all efforts to minimise inconvenience to the customers by making necessary arrangements,