Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government issued a notification on Wednesday, mandating daily prime-time screening of Bengali films in all cinemas and multiplexes throughout the year. The notification said that the order will come into immediate effect and will remain in place until further orders.”In every cinema hall, and in all screens (each screen) of every multiplex situated in this state, 365 prime time shows/screenings of Bengali films shall mandatorily be held…

Bengaluru, Aug 13 (IANS) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Prahlad Joshi on Wednesday charged that the Karnataka government has acted “extremely irresponsibly” in handling the Dharmasthala case. Joshi alleged that the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is now changing his stance, as nothing has been found at the alleged burial sites.He said that Siddaramaiah, who had formed the SIT and ordered the investigation, is now claiming that the government has no role. “Was…

Surat, Aug 13 (IANS) Students from some of the country’s most remote tribal areas have just lived a dream — one usually reserved for elite schools. For the first time in Gujarat, under the state government’s Project Vigyan Setu, students from tribal belts returned from the Chennai’s Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Surat after a three day-educational tour. The initiative, designed to bridge scientific opportunities for underserved communities, made history by giving 28 students from…

Chandigarh, Aug 13 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is not merely a government initiative but a people’s movement, requiring active participation from the youth, women, children, educational institutions, voluntary organisations, saints, and social bodies. “Once the youth are freed from the grip of drugs, nothing can stop India from becoming a developed nation,” he said while addressing the state-level function in Panchkula, n…

Varanasi, Aug 13 (IANS) With Independence Day around the corner, preparations are in full swing across the country. The BJP’s nationwide ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign has added to the patriotic fervour, and its impact is clearly visible in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, where the demand for Khadi-made flags has surged sharply. Shopkeepers say the sales this year have outpaced those of previous years, as residents buy flags to hoist at their homes, office…

New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu will address the nation on Thursday, August 14, on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.The address will be broadcast at 7 p.m. on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast on all Doordarshan channels — first in Hindi, followed by the English version.Regional language broadcasts will then be aired by Doordarshan’s regional channels, while Akashvani will carry the regional versions at 9.30 p.m. on its respective networks, a governme…

Patna, Aug 13 (IANS) The leaders of the INDIA Bloc, led by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, will launch the Vote Adhikar Yatra from August 17 in Sasaram city of Bihar’s Rohtas district. The Congress party has released the schedule of the Yatra, with preparations currently in full swing in the city.Congress National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP KC Venugopal said the campaign is part of the fight to “protect democracy” and will be taken to the streets…

Chennai, Aug 13 (IANS) A 17-year-old Class 11 student collapsed and died inside a private school in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram on Wednesday, sending shockwaves across the district and sparking intense public attention after video footage of the incident surfaced online.The student, identified as Mohan Raj of Mel Theru in Villupuram, had arrived at school as usual and taken his seat in the classroom when the tragedy occurred. Eyewitnesses said he suddenly fainted and fell to the floor without warnin…

Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) A 30-year-old man possessing a firearm was apprehended near the Sealdah railway station on Wednesday, an official said. A home guard and a traffic sergeant saw the man moving around suspiciously and caught him. However, they had to chase the man — identified as Pankaj Biswas — a long way to catch him. Upon searching, a firearm was recovered which was kept inside his shirt.Later, officers from Entally Police Station reached the spot and arrested the young man. However, qu…

Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) Amid raging controversy over the announcement by several civic bodies that slaughterhouses and meat shops within city limits would remain closed on August 15 on the occasion of Independence Day and Janmashtami, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday clarified that the state government has not banned the sale of meat. He told reporters that “The government resolution (GR) in this regard was issued in 1988. I was not aware that many municipalities have made decisions…