News for 'West Bengal-Odisha'

BJP makes Sunil Bansal in charge of West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana

BJP makes Sunil Bansal in charge of West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

The BJP appointed Sunil Bansal, one of the party's key election managers, as its national general secretary and in charge of three opposition-ruled states -- West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana -- in run-up to the Lok Sabha polls in 2024.

Major Financial Institutions Expand Reach And Offerings

Major Financial Institutions Expand Reach And Offerings

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Axis Bank has opened 50 new branches across India, while Abakkus Mutual Fund has surpassed Rs 10,000 crore in AUM. YES Bank launched a new credit card for women, and J&K Bank partnered with HDFC Life to enhance its insurance offerings, showcasing significant growth and strategic developments in the Indian financial sector.

Judicial officers' gherao in Malda: SC transfers probe to NIA

Judicial officers' gherao in Malda: SC transfers probe to NIA

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The Supreme Court has transferred the investigation of the Malda incident, involving the gherao and attack on judicial officers, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), citing concerns about the credibility of West Bengal's bureaucracy.

SC nod for NIA chargesheet in Bengal judicial officers' gherao case

SC nod for NIA chargesheet in Bengal judicial officers' gherao case

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The Supreme Court has permitted the NIA to file its charge sheet upon completion of the investigation into the incident in West Bengal where judicial officers were illegally confined by a mob.

Puri Jagannath Temple Secures Trademark Protection

Puri Jagannath Temple Secures Trademark Protection

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

This marks a significant step towards legally safeguarding the cultural and spiritual identity of one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage centres.

Omar Abdullah's Kashmir Challenge Revives July 2, 1984 Memories

Omar Abdullah's Kashmir Challenge Revives July 2, 1984 Memories

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Omar Abdullah has so far laboured hard to make best of a bad bargain. Even so, the ground reality is anything but reassuring. The Opposition parties, including notably the PDP, appear to be gaining ground, though more by default. Public patience with Omar's government has nearly run out, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.

Cyclone to hit Bengal, Odisha with wind speed of 120 kmph

Cyclone to hit Bengal, Odisha with wind speed of 120 kmph

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

More than 150 express/passenger trains running through South Eastern Railway jurisdiction have been cancelled in view of the severe cyclonic storm, an SER official said.

Bengal 'most polarised state': SC orders CBI/NIA probe, CAPF deployment

Bengal 'most polarised state': SC orders CBI/NIA probe, CAPF deployment

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the 'hostage' situation involving seven judicial officials in West Bengal's Malda district, demanding explanations from state officials and authorising the Election Commission to seek a CBI or NIA probe.

AI Steps In To Avert Elephant Tragedies

AI Steps In To Avert Elephant Tragedies

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

When elephants are identified close to or on the tracks, real-time alerts are sent to locomotive pilots, station masters and control rooms, allowing trains to slow down or stop in time.

Now cyclone forms in Bay of Bengal, may hit Bengal-Odisha

Now cyclone forms in Bay of Bengal, may hit Bengal-Odisha

Rediff.com19 May 2021

After the west coast, another cyclone is likely to hit the east coast by May 26-27, the India meteorological department said on Wednesday.

How COVID Cut India's Life Expectancy

How COVID Cut India's Life Expectancy

Rediff.com19 May 2025

The drop is seen as a significant demographic indicator, reflecting the toll of the pandemic on the nation's population.

India to face more heatwaves this summer: IMD

India to face more heatwaves this summer: IMD

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

India is expected to experience hotter-than-usual temperatures from April to June, with more heatwave days in central and eastern India and the northwestern plains, the IMD said. Most parts of the country will see higher-than-normal maximum temperatures, except for some areas in western and eastern India where the temperatures are expected to be normal. Minimum temperatures will also be above normal in most regions. The IMD has warned that landslides could occur in parts of Kerala and Karnataka in the Western Ghats and that northeastern states might face flooding in April.

Normal life remains unaffected during strike, violence in Bengal

Normal life remains unaffected during strike, violence in Bengal

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

A nationwide strike called by trade unions to protest against the central government's labor policies had a mixed impact across India. While normal life remained largely unaffected in most parts of the country, some sectors like banking, transport, and insurance experienced disruptions. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal.

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

IMD data shows in the 24 hours between September 1 and 2, Haryana received 806 per cent more rainfall than normal, Punjab 759 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 510 per cent, Delhi 740 per cent, Chandigarh a staggering 1,638 per cent, and Rajasthan 193 per cent.

Rain lashes parts of Bengal as cyclone 'Dana' nears

Rain lashes parts of Bengal as cyclone 'Dana' nears

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

The cyclonic storm is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early Friday with wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour (kmph), it said.

Money-pooling scam: SFIO to start probe

Money-pooling scam: SFIO to start probe

Rediff.com26 Apr 2013

The SFIO probe ordered by the government into illegal money-pooling activities of various entities would initially focus on 57 companies, most of which are in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Assam.

June rainfall 11% below-normal, highest deficit in 5 years: IMD

June rainfall 11% below-normal, highest deficit in 5 years: IMD

Rediff.com1 Jul 2024

June rainfall accounts for 15 percent of the total precipitation of 87 cm recorded during the four-month monsoon season in the country.

Fresh thunderstorm warning for 4 states, 124 deaths in 2 days

Fresh thunderstorm warning for 4 states, 124 deaths in 2 days

Rediff.com4 May 2018

West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the states most likely to be hit again.

Was This Why BJP Came 2nd In UP?

Was This Why BJP Came 2nd In UP?

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

I learnt that Yogi was deeply unhappy with the BJP's choice of Lok Sabha candidates. He had proposed a list of names, but hardly any of his suggestions were accepted.

Severe heat wave predicted in many states during Phase 2 of polling

Severe heat wave predicted in many states during Phase 2 of polling

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

Lakhs of voters will have to bear the searing heat when they step out to exercise their franchise in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

70 and counting: Why are Naxals bombing mobile towers?

70 and counting: Why are Naxals bombing mobile towers?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2012

In the past one-and-a-half years, Naxals have destroyed nearly 250 mobile towers across the country. The incidents have occurred in Bihar, Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. But there seems to be a method to the madness. Vicky Nanjappa reports.

Cyclone Dana: Lakhs evacuated; flights, trains suspended

Cyclone Dana: Lakhs evacuated; flights, trains suspended

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

As Cyclone Dana barrels toward the coasts of Odisha, threatening to impact nearly half of the state's population, the government is racing against time to execute a massive evacuation plan aimed at relocating about 10 lakh people in several coastal districts to safety. In West Bengal, the cyclone is set to bring heavy rainfall in several southern West Bengal districts, including Kolkata, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

Why MoSha Are Worried About 2024 Lok Sabha Poll

Why MoSha Are Worried About 2024 Lok Sabha Poll

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

Even if the BJP gets 60, 70, or even 100 per cent of the votes in the seats where it scored more than 50 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, these will still add up to only 224 seats, argues Shekhar Gupta.

U'khand tunnel collapse: Oxygen being supplied, efforts on to rescue workers

U'khand tunnel collapse: Oxygen being supplied, efforts on to rescue workers

Rediff.com12 Nov 2023

They said the incident occurred around 4 am when a 150-metre-long portion of the four-and-a-half-kilometer-long tunnel collapsed.

Modi asks MPs to reach out to Muslim women for Raksha Bandhan

Modi asks MPs to reach out to Muslim women for Raksha Bandhan

Rediff.com1 Aug 2023

Asserting that his government's decision to ban instant triple talaq has boosted the overall sense of security for Muslim women, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Bharatiya Janata Party leaders to reach out to them during the upcoming festival of Raksha Bandhan.

Younger more affected by Covid as they're going out: ICMR

Younger more affected by Covid as they're going out: ICMR

Rediff.com11 May 2021

In response to a question on whether younger population were getting more affected, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said the comparison of data during the first and the second wave of COVID-19 has shown that there is not much age difference.

Recipe: Sandhyarani's Hilsa Fish Curry With Veggies

Recipe: Sandhyarani's Hilsa Fish Curry With Veggies

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

A meal of hilsa curry with vegetables mixed in, poured over steamed rice, can make your Sunday perfect.

300 bank accounts, 200 firms used to commit Saradha scam: ED

300 bank accounts, 200 firms used to commit Saradha scam: ED

Rediff.com8 Jun 2014

The rest, investigators claimed, were floated as "dummies" to act as cover for unleashing the alleged ponzi scheme.

Rahul, Hema in fray as 88 seats go to polls in Phase 2

Rahul, Hema in fray as 88 seats go to polls in Phase 2

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

Voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls will be held on Friday for 88 seats in 13 states with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking a second-straight term from Wayanad in Kerala.

Will BJP win with a bigger margin? A SWOT analysis

Will BJP win with a bigger margin? A SWOT analysis

Rediff.com17 Mar 2024

Seen by political watchers as the favourite to retain power for a third straight term, the Bharatiya Janata Party has set itself an ambitious target of winning 370 Lok Sabha seats, a goal aimed as much at projecting its strength as at diminishing the opposition in popular imagination.

Super Cyclone Amphan devastates Bengal, Odisha; 3 dead

Super Cyclone Amphan devastates Bengal, Odisha; 3 dead

Rediff.com21 May 2020

While man and a woman were reported killed when trees came crashing down on them in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, a 13-year-old girl died in a similar incident in adjoining Howrah. No casualties have been reported from Odisha yet.

Govt approves Rs 4,382 cr as calamity assistance to 6 states

Govt approves Rs 4,382 cr as calamity assistance to 6 states

Rediff.com13 Nov 2020

The funds will be released to West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Sikkim as assistance for the damage caused by cyclone, floods and landslides during the year.

Bengal, Odisha on alert as cyclone likely to hit east coast on Oct 25

Bengal, Odisha on alert as cyclone likely to hit east coast on Oct 25

Rediff.com21 Oct 2022

Odisha is bracing for heavy rainfall early next week under the impact of a possible cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to skirt the state and move towards West Bengal and Bangladesh, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.

Cyclone Asani weakens; Odisha, Bengal brace for downpour

Cyclone Asani weakens; Odisha, Bengal brace for downpour

Rediff.com11 May 2022

'It is very likely to move nearly northwards for next few hour and recurve slowly north-northeastwards along Narsapur, Yanam, Kakinada, Tuni and Visakhapatnam coasts during noon to evening on Wednesday and emerge into west central Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh coasts by night,' the India Meteorological Department said in its national bulletin.

Grievances piling Up, Modi demands action against Customs, Excise officials:

Grievances piling Up, Modi demands action against Customs, Excise officials:

Rediff.com28 Jan 2016

Taking strong exception to complaints and grievances of people concerning the customs and excise sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said strict action would be taken against erring officials.

Bengal, Odisha evacuate lakhs of people as 'Yaas' nears coast

Bengal, Odisha evacuate lakhs of people as 'Yaas' nears coast

Rediff.com25 May 2021

West Bengal and Odisha have evacuated lakhs of people from vulnerable areas to safety as severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' is nearing the coast and is expected to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district early on Wednesday morning.

Nitish Kumar must contest from Phulpur in UP, says JD-U leader

Nitish Kumar must contest from Phulpur in UP, says JD-U leader

Rediff.com30 May 2023

Senior Janata Dal-United leader Dhananjay Singh pitched for Opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and said party workers in Uttar Pradesh want Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to contest the elections from the state's Phulpur constituency.

Maoists blow up rail tracks in Jharkhand, services disrupted

Maoists blow up rail tracks in Jharkhand, services disrupted

Rediff.com20 Nov 2021

A rail track between Sonua and Lotapahar stations in West Singhbhum, under Chakradharpur Division of South Eastern Railway (SER), was damaged past Friday night in a blast that was allegedly triggered by the Maoists.

Western disturbance to bring respite from heatwave: IMD

Western disturbance to bring respite from heatwave: IMD

Rediff.com1 May 2022

Western disturbances are near Pakistan-Afghanistan and are moving towards Delhi and thunderstorms or dust storms are likely to be experienced in northwest India, senior scientist at IMD RK Jenamani told ANI.

Tuesday tussle: Will Oppn deny Modi a chance to equal Nehru's record?

Tuesday tussle: Will Oppn deny Modi a chance to equal Nehru's record?

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

Though electoral verdicts have historically been accepted, even though grudgingly, by all parties, there has been a sharper edge to the questions being raised by Opposition parties this time over the polling process, including the Election Commission.