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SNDT Women’s University signs MoU with BMCC New York at Raj Bhavan

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Web Team
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SNDT sign MOU with BMCC NY
SNDT Women’s University signs MoU with BMCC New York at Raj Bhavan 2

An agreement of academic collaboration between SNDT Women’s University, 106-year old First Women’s University of India and the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), the largest Community College under the City University of New York (CUNY) was signed in presence of Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of universities Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan Mumbai. A Conclave on “Internationalisation of Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges” was also held on the occasion.

President of the BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College) – CUNY Dr Anthony Munroe and Vice Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo signed the Statement of Shared Interest in presence of the Governor.  

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that we live in an era of collaboration and cooperation and not confrontation. This collaboration will bring new light in students’ work-life. Complimenting the SNDT Women’s University and the BMCC Community College for embarking on a partnership for student and faculty exchange, the Governor said the collaboration will produce good results for both the sides within the next few years. He mentioned that goodwill of both the organisations will benefit each other.

President of the BMCC, CUNY, New York Dr Anthony Munroe said the BMCC is the largest community college in the US, offering affordable education to students from 140 different countries. Stating that 60 per cent of the BMCC students were women, he felt that partnership with SNDT Women’s University will prove to be mutually beneficial. He said the fees charged by the College is one-sixth of private colleges. 

He mentioned that the BMCC is rated among the top 5 Community Colleges in the United States, having collaboration with best known financial institutions such as Goldman Sach, Zurich, Citi Bank, Moody’s and others. He said students of the Colleges can pursue further higher education in the best Ivy league institutions such as NewYork, Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Starnford, UC Berkeley and MIT.

Vice Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University Dr. Ujwala Chakradeo said the MoU is being signed right at a time when India is ready to implement the National Education Policy 2020. Dr. Chakradeo highlighted that both the institutions offer diverse courses opening many avenues of academic collaboration for the students of both the countries. She expressed the hope that girls from India will get the best of higher education opportunities through the partnership with BMCC. Stating that Skill education is the forte of the SNDT Women’s University, she further said that the areas of collaboration with BMCC such as internship, joint degrees, entrepreneurship etc. have been identified and will be acted upon.  She hopes that many students from both the universities will be able to visit and work with each other.

Shri. Santosh Kumar, Secretary to Governor, Maharashtra; Shri. Rakesh Naithani, Special Secretary to the Governor and Officer on Special Duty; Ms. Sita Raiter, Dy Cultural Attaché from the US Consulate General, Mumbai and Mr. Sanjay Ramdath, Director and Acting Vice President of Enrollment Management, BMCC graced the occasion. Ms. Sita assured all support needed for the future collaboration and student exchange. Prof Ruby Ojha, Pro Vice Chancellor of SNDTWU, Registrar Dr Vilas Nandavadekar, Dr Nitin Wani of International Cell, Deans, Heads of various departments and Principals of autonomous and affiliated Colleges under SNDTWU were present.

The conclave to discuss mutual collaboration opportunities continued in the next session. About 35 academic leaders from SNDT Women’s University shared unique features of their departments and colleges, strengths of their programmes and expressed possible avenues of collaboration. The session concluded with the presentation by Mr. Sanjay Ramdath about BMCC.

In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project: PM Modi inaugurates 3,024 EWS flats in Delhi, built for rehabilitating slum dwellers

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ANI
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Slum Rehabilitation Project Delhi
Image: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 3,024 newly constructed EWS flats at Kalkaji, Delhi built for rehabilitating slum dwellers under the ‘In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation’ Project.

PM Modi then handed over keys to eligible beneficiaries from Bhoomiheen Camp at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.

“In line with the vision of the Prime Minister to provide housing for all, in-situ slum rehabilitation in 376 Jhuggi Jhopri clusters is being undertaken by Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The objective of the rehabilitation project is to provide a better and healthy living environment to the residents of the Jhuggi Jhopri clusters, with proper amenities and facilities,” read an official statement by Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The Delhi Development Authority has undertaken three such projects at Kalkaji Extension, Jailorwala Bagh, and Kathputli Colony.

Under the Kalkaji Extension Project, in-situ Slum Rehabilitation of three slum clusters namely Bhoomiheen Camp, Navjeevan camp, and Jawahar camp located at Kalkaji is being taken up in a phased manner.

Under Phase I, 3024 EWS flats at the nearby vacant commercial center site have been constructed. The Jhuggi Jhopri site at Bhoomiheen Camp will be vacated by rehabilitating eligible households of Bhoomiheen camp to the newly constructed EWS flats. Post vacation of Bhoomiheen Campsite, in Phase II, this vacated site will be utilized for rehabilitation of Navjeevan Camp and Jawahar Camp.

“Phase I of the Project has been completed and 3024 flats are ready to move in. These flats have been constructed at a cost of about Rs. 345 crores and are equipped with all civic amenities including finishing having been done with vitrified floor tiles, ceramics tiles, Udaipur green marble counter in kitchen, etc. Public amenities have also been provided. The allotment of flats will provide the people ownership title as well as a sense of security,” the statement added.

NHRC issued notice to Delhi Police for not providing security to SC lawyer

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ANI
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NHRC Delhi Police Security
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National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issued notice to Commissioner of Delhi Police for not providing adequate security to Supreme Court lawyer and activist Vineet Jindal.

“Inaction by the Delhi Police authorities, in this case, is a matter of concern for the Commission as it relates to the Protection of the Right to Life of the complainant and his family,” NHRC said.

The inaction by the Delhi Police authorities, in this case, is a matter of concern for the Commission as it relates to the Protection of the Right to Life of the complainant and his family, said the commission.

The Commission directs the Commissioner of Police, Special Commissioner of Police, Protective Security, Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police, North West Delhi to send an action taken report to the Commission immediately but not beyond 2 weeks from the date of the orders of the Commission.

This is the last and final opportunity granted to the authorities to submit their report within the stipulated time. In case, no response is received within 2 weeks, in pursuance of the provisions laid down u/s 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, they will be called in person by the Commission for submission of the requisite report.

Vineet Jindal, a practicing Advocate and complainant recently moved NHRC and stated that he has filed PIL and many complaints against anti national elements before the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court and Delhi Police as well as before the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Bangladesh against violation of the human rights of the minority Hindu community.

It was also mentioned in the complaint that the complainant has also filed a complaint on 17.01.2022 against “Sikh For Justice” which is a Pro-Khalistani Organization and against its head Gurpatwant Singh Pannu who is a declared terrorists, with the New York Police Commissioner to stop their unlawful activities against India.

The complainant had stated that he has been telephonically receiving threats to life from unknown numbers on behalf of these anti-India organizations from different locations across the world that they will kill him for opposing Khalistan and filing the complaints with various authorities.

The complainant was reportedly provided one PSO on 20.01.2022 in view of the threats being received by him but as mentioned in the complaint, that will also be withdrawn soon by the police authorities.

The complainant had stated that he has requested for round the clock security for him and his family in view of the serious threats extended by the international terrorists.

It was mentioned in the complaint that the complainant received a fresh threat on 26.07.2022 from Islamic terrorists but no action has been taken by the police.

The complainant stated that recently a large number of people have been killed by the Islamic terrorists as they were not provided adequate security by the police, in time.

The complainant had requested the Commission to intervene in the matter and issue directions for adequate security for him and his family to save their lives from said Khalistani and Islamic terrorists who are constantly extending threats to him.

Morbi Bridge Collapse: Oreva company manager calls it “Act of God” in court

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ANI
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Morbi Bridge Collapse Gujarat
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In a major turn in the Morbi bridge collapse case in Gujarat, the Additional Public Prosecutor of the case made a huge revelation, saying that one of the accused managers of the Oreva company cited an “Act of God” in the court as a reason for the tragic mishap.

“One of the two managers of Oreva Company (that have been arrested) told the court that it is an ‘Act of God,” said Additional Public Prosecutor, Advocate HS Panchal.

Another major revelation came up to the fore that the cable wires of the bridge were not in the ideal condition to be opened for the general masses and were “rusting away”.

“In the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, the Investigating Officer (IO) said that the cable (of bridge)was rusting away. The Investigating Officer says that only flooring of the bridge was done and the cables were not changed, oiling-greasing also wasn’t done,” Advocate HS Panchal said.

Adding that Prima facie, FSL officer says that it was an old cable. Asked about details of the accused sent to police custody today, Panchal said, “Out of the 4 people who were sent to Police custody, two are managers at Oreva Co and two others did fabrication work for the bridge. The five others who were sent to judicial custody are security personnel and ticket vendors.”

“In the report, the Investigating Officer (IO) stated that the tender process did not take place and contract was directly allotted,” Advocate Panchal further said.

Out of nine persons arrested pertaining to the October 30 collapse of the century-old suspension bridge, killing 135 people, Gujarat’s Morbi Court on Wednesday has sent four people to police custody and the remaining five into judicial custody till November 5. Of the four persons in police custody, two are managers of the Oreva company, which threw the bridge open for visitors after seven months of maintenance works, and the other two are fabrication work contractor’s people.

Speaking on the ongoing investigation, Rahul Tripathi, SP Morbi, said, “We are questioning all the four accused in our custody and we are trying to establish the liability of the different kinds of lapses in the bridge renovation. We are doing a thorough investigation and if anyone’s role comes forward, he or she will be booked and arrested.”

He added further, “Yes, We have given a scientific report to the court but details of the same can’t be shared with you at this stage as this will hamper our investigation.”

The Gujarat Police has filed a First Information Report under IPC sections 304 and 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in the bridge collapse tragedy.

Earlier, the Gujarat government constituted a five-member committee to probe the bridge collapse incident. “An FIR has been registered against the maintenance and management agencies of the bridge, under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and 114 (abettor present when offense is committed) of the India Penal Code,” said Morbi B Division Police Inspector, Prakashbhai Dekavadiya.

Briefing mediapersons here, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said, “The death toll in the Morbi hanging bridge collapse incident has gone up to 132. The Chief Minister has constituted a high power committee yesterday itself while leaving Ahmedabad. All officers, posted at different locations, were asked to report at Morbi by 2 am. The investigation is going on.”

The Gujarat Home Minister further informed that a criminal case has been registered in connection with the incident. “An investigation has begun today under the leadership of Range IGP,” Sanghavi said. Everyone worked all through the night. The Navy, NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force), Air Force and Army arrived at the spot quickly. More than 200 persons have worked the entire night for search and rescue operations,” Sanghavi said.

At least 135 people, including women and children, were killed and over 100 are receiving treatment for their injuries sustained after a cable suspension bridge in Morbi town collapsed on Sunday, plunging people into the Machchhu River. The search and rescue operation is underway in the Machchhu river.

“According to the information received from the district administration, one or two people are still missing. We are carrying out search operation along with other agencies. 5 teams of NDRF are working here,” Prasanna Kumar, NDRF commandant said today.

Cattle smuggling scam: Anubrata Mondal’s daughter Sukanya Mondal appeared before ED

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ANI
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Cattle Smuggling Case West Bengal ED
Image: PTI

TMC leader and party’s Birbhum district president, Anubrata Mondal’s daughter Sukanya Mondal on Wednesday appeared before Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam in West Bengal.

Mondal reached the Enforcement Directorate headquarters here following a summon from the federal agency to face questioning. The move comes days after a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi remanded Sehgal Hossain, a bodyguard of Anubrata Mondal to seven days of Enforcement Directorate custody in connection with the case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is conducting a parallel probe into the cattle-smuggling scam, has also questioned Mondal in the case.

The CBI has recently submitted a fresh charge sheet at a special court in Asansol in West Burdwan district in West Bengal, where the agency named TMC heavyweight Anubrata Mondal as the direct beneficiary of the cattle scam.

The CBI has also underlined the details of the huge assets and property of Mondal and his family members in the charge sheet. The CBI arrested Anubrata Mondal on August 11 in connection with the multi-crore West Bengal cattle smuggling scam.

As per investigators, a chain of shell entities was used in the process of fund diversion. The money reportedly transferred to the accounts of those entities who are at the rudimentary level of the chain, the officials said, adding, “The accused subsequently diverted a portion of the proceeds received to multiple tertiary shell entities”.

S Korea fires 3 air-to-ground missiles in response to N Korea’s launch

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ANI
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South koria Missile fire
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South Korea’s military on Wednesday said that it has fired three air-to-ground missiles in the wake of missiles launched by North Korea. The missiles were fired into waters “near the Northern Limit Line at a distance corresponding to the area where the North Korean missile struck,” South Korea’s military said in a statement, adding the exercise showed that Seoul would respond “sternly to any provocations”.

South Korea’s military said that its fighter jets fired three precision-guided missiles near the rivals’ eastern border. It said that the launches were in reaction to a barrage of North Korean missiles tests earlier. South Korea said that one of the North Korean missiles landed near the sea border. This is the first time ever since the peninsula’s division more than seven decades ago that North Korean missiles landed close to South Korean waters. South Korea denounced North Korea’s missile launches and called it an “intolerable” act, reported Yonhap News Agency. Seoul on Wednesday issued an air raid alert after North Korea fired short-range missiles.

Morbi Bridge Tragedy: state govt to give ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs to families of died people : Disaster Management minister Rajendra Trivedi

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ANI
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Gujrat Government Morbi Bridge Tragedy Ex Gratia
Image: ANI

The state government will give an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakhs to the families of the people who died in the Morbi tragedy and Rs 2 lakhs each will be provided from PMNRF, informed the Gujarat Disaster Management minister Rajendra Trivedi on Tuesday.

While the injured persons will be given Rs 50,000 each, added the Gujarat Disaster Management minister.

“Rs 4 lakhs each ex-gratia amount given to the families of deceased by state govt and Rs 2 lakhs each from PMNRF, Rs 50,000 each to injured. 17 persons remain hospitalised. 2 people remain missing,” said Trivedi while talking to the media persons in Gandhinagar.

Morbi District Collector on Tuesday morning said the death toll reached 135 after one more injured succumbed at the District hospital.

“With one more injured succumbing at the District hospital a while ago, the death toll stands at 135. A total of 14 persons are still hospitalized. One person is still reported to be missing and a search is on for him,” said the Morbi District Collector.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by the Gujarat Police in the bridge collapse incident against private agencies for the attempt to commit culpable homicide and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The Gujarat Police has filed an FIR under IPC sections 304 and 308 in the bridge collapse tragedy. The Gujarat government has constituted a five-member committee to probe the bridge collapse incident.

Police have said that the management agency did not take due care of the quality check of the bridge and kept it open for the people on October 26, displaying severe carelessness. Reportedly, the bridge was closed for about 8 months for maintenance and the repair work was being completed by a private agency.

State-wide mourning in Gujarat will occur on November 2, for the people who died in the Morbi tragedy. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at Gandhinagar Raj Bhavan chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings in the state on November 2 and no government public functions, receptions, or entertainment programs will be held.

Delhi: PM Modi to inaugurate 3,024 newly constructed flats under Slum Rehabilitation Project

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ANI
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Prime Minister Modi Delhi Slum Redevelopment Project
Image: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 3,024 newly constructed EWS flats at Kalkaji, Delhi built for rehabilitating slum dwellers under ‘In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation’ Project and hand over keys to eligible beneficiaries at Bhoomiheen Camp in a programme at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on Wednesday at 4:30 PM.

In line with the vision of the Prime Minister to provide housing for all, in-situ slum rehabilitation in 376 Jhuggi Jhopri clusters is being undertaken by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

The objective of the rehabilitation project is to provide a better and healthy living environment to the residents of Jhuggi Jhopri clusters, with proper amenities and facilities, informed a government release on Tuesday.

DDA has undertaken three such projects at Kalkaji Extension, Jailorwala Bagh and Kathputli Colony. Under the Kalkaji Extension Project, in-situ Slum Rehabilitation of three slum clusters namely Bhoomiheen Camp, Navjeevan camp and Jawahar camp located at Kalkaji are being taken up in a phased manner.

Under Phase I, 3024 EWS flats at the nearby vacant commercial centre site have been constructed. The Jhuggi Jhopri site at Bhoomiheen Camp will be vacated by rehabilitating eligible households of Bhoomiheen camp to the newly constructed EWS flats.

Post vacation of Bhoomiheen Camp site, in Phase II, this vacated site will be utilised for rehabilitation of Navjeevan Camp and Jawahar Camp. Phase I of the Project has been completed and 3024 flats are ready to move in.

These flats have been constructed at a cost of about Rs 345 crores and are equipped with all civic amenities including finishing having been done with vitrified floor tiles, ceramics tiles, Udaipur green marble counter in kitchen, etc.

Public amenities like Community parks, Electric Sub-stations, Sewage Treatment plant, dual water pipelines, lifts, Underground reservoir for hygienic water supply etc have also been provided. The allotment of flats will provide the people ownership title as well as a sense of security.

Morbi Bridge Collapse: SC to hear plea on Nov 14 for judicial probe

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ANI
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Morbi Bride Collapse Supreme Court Gujarat
Image: PTI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on November 14 a PIL seeking direction to appoint a judicial commission under the supervision of the retired top court judge to initiate a probe on the Morbi Bridge collapse incident.

A bench of Chief Justice of India UU Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi posted the matter for hearing on November 14 after the advocate who filed the petition mentioned it for urgent hearing.

“You are very quick. What are your prayers,” the CJI asked. To this Advocate Vishal Tiwari who filed the plea replied, “I am seeking a judicial enquiry commission”.

The plea filed by the lawyer sought directions to the State governments to form a committee to survey and conduct an assessment risk of old and risky monuments and bridges to ensure environmental viability and safety.

It further sought directions for permanent disaster probe teams in the states who would promptly attend to such tragedies.

“Direct the State governments to constitute in their respective States a construction incident investigation department so that the fast and prompt investigation could be done whenever such incidents occur and such department shall also have duty to assess and enquire about the quality and safety of any public construction taking place,” the plea said.

Over 130 people died and about 100 were injured due to the collapse of the suspension bridge over the Morbi Macchu river on Sunday.

As per the reports, the bridge was closed for about 8 months for maintenance and the repair work was assigned to a private agency.

The Gujarat Police have filed a First Information Report under IPC sections 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) in the bridge collapse tragedy.

The Gujarat government has also constituted a five-member committee to probe the bridge collapse incident.

Gujarat govt can’t shirk its responsibility for lives loses in Morbi bridge collapse: Shiv sena (UBT)

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PTI
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Morbi Bridge Collapse Gujarat Government
Image: PTI

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction on Tuesday said the Gujarat government cannot shirk its responsibility for the loss of lives in Morbi bridge collapse and asked whether it should be termed as an “act of fraud, conspiracy or a mere accident”.

When a similar incident took place in West Bengal in 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had slammed that state government and called it an “act of God”, an editorial in the Thackeray camp’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said.

The Marathi daily also questioned the quality of renovation of the Morbi suspension bridge, which was opened for the public four days before it collapsed. The suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi city collapsed on Sunday evening, killing 134 people, a senior police official earlier said.

“Will the lives lost come back? The company responsible for the maintenance of the bridge should be probed, but the Gujarat government cannot shirk its responsibility,” the editorial in Saamana said.

“Should this incident be termed as an act of fraud, a conspiracy or a mere accident?” it asked.

“Was the bridge renovation completed or not? How did the bridge get overloaded (with people). There are several questions and the Gujarat government has to answer each of them. Even the Centre can ignore its responsibility,” it said.

If the bridge renovation was not done properly, why was it reopened for the public? the Marathi publication asked.

Police on Monday arrested nine persons, including four from the Oreva group that was managing the suspension bridge, and filed a case against firms tasked with the maintenance and operation of the British-era structure.

Video footage emerged of the moments before Sunday evening’s deadly collapse, showing the bridge snapping in a few seconds, taking down scores of visitors seen walking on the swaying structure which had reopened six days ago after extensive repair but sans a fitness certificate.

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