News for 'district development'

Governor Varma Champions Bamboo For Sustainable Growth

Governor Varma Champions Bamboo For Sustainable Growth

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has advocated for a bamboo-based economy to drive sustainable development, create rural livelihoods, and offer green alternatives to plastic. Speaking at a summit, he highlighted bamboo's crucial role in climate change mitigation, its potential to empower local communities, and its benefits for farmers.

Anti-drug activist shot dead by medical shop owner in Punjab

Anti-drug activist shot dead by medical shop owner in Punjab

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

An anti-drug activist, Parvinder Singh alias Jhota, was allegedly shot dead by a medical store owner in Mansa, Punjab, after confronting the owner about the illegal sale of intoxicating substances.

Mass shooting plot at US Hindu Temple foiled, 19-year-old held

Mass shooting plot at US Hindu Temple foiled, 19-year-old held

Rediff.com6 days ago

A 19-year-old man, Alexandros Paporakis, was arrested in Illinois for allegedly plotting a mass shooting targeting a Hindu place of worship. Authorities recovered a manifesto with white supremacist ideologies and references to violence against people of Indian descent, along with weapons and tactical gear. The plot was uncovered after Paporakis shared concerning electronic communications, leading to swift action by law enforcement.

Govt panel asks states for data on demographic changes over 15 years

Govt panel asks states for data on demographic changes over 15 years

Rediff.com29 Sep 2026

The Union Home Ministry's High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes has requested states and Union Territories to provide detailed data on "visible changes" in religious demography over the last 15 years. This includes information on birth registrations, religious structures, vehicle registrations, property transfers in tribal areas, and educational institutions, aiming to assess demographic shifts and recommend policy measures.

27 killed in rain-related incidents in Nepal; 4 missing

27 killed in rain-related incidents in Nepal; 4 missing

Rediff.com29 Sep 2026

Heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, and an avalanche have claimed at least 27 lives across Nepal in recent days, with four people missing and eight injured. The monsoon-induced incidents have destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged infrastructure, highlighting the country's vulnerability to such natural disasters, following last month's devastating flash floods.

Police Action Intensifies In Mansa Anti-Drug Activist Murder Case

Police Action Intensifies In Mansa Anti-Drug Activist Murder Case

Rediff.com6 days ago

Following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, police have suspended a station house officer and arrested the alleged shooter's wife. The shooter, Ashwani Kumar, and an associate are in police remand. Investigations are ongoing into Kumar's arms licence and drug network, while Jhota's family and activists demand further action and a CBI probe, leading to a 'Punjab bandh' on Thursday.

Premium Office Rents Surge in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR Due to Supply Constraints

Premium Office Rents Surge in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR Due to Supply Constraints

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Large office leases in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR are commanding premium rentals in key micro-locations, driven by a scarcity of quality Grade-A space and sustained occupier demand, according to real estate consultants.

Top Lashkar terrorist Mohammed Asif killed, was part of Musharraf's team

Top Lashkar terrorist Mohammed Asif killed, was part of Musharraf's team

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

Mohammed Asif, alias Hashim Moosa, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and a retired havildar from the Pakistan Army's elite Special Services Group (SSG) who once served in former president Pervez Musharraf's security convoy, was killed in a gunfight in central Kashmir's Budgam district.

Nana Patekar's helping hand made this village 'tanker-free'

Nana Patekar's helping hand made this village 'tanker-free'

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

Following the death of veteran actor Nana Patekar, a Maharashtra village, Dhondalgaon, recalls how his NAAM Foundation funded a water conservation project ten years ago, transforming it from a drought-prone area to a 'tanker-free' and economically thriving community. The project, which involved desilting barrages, boosted agriculture and dairy farming, and eliminated farmer suicides.

After Oppn complaints, EC replaces Nandigram police chief day before bypoll

After Oppn complaints, EC replaces Nandigram police chief day before bypoll

Rediff.com5 Oct 2026

The Election Commission replaced the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram police station, Ajay Kumar Mishra, with Debashis Sarkar a day before the bypoll, following complaints from opposition parties alleging Mishra's closeness to the ruling party. This move comes amidst heightened political scrutiny and concerns raised by opposition leaders regarding the fairness of the election process in Nandigram, a constituency with significant political history in West Bengal.

Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: EOW/ACB Files 10th Supplementary Charge Sheet Naming 20 Accused

Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: EOW/ACB Files 10th Supplementary Charge Sheet Naming 20 Accused

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Chhattisgarh Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) has filed its 10th supplementary charge sheet in the alleged liquor scam, accusing 20 individuals, including former state Congress treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, and 22 firms. The 27,000-page document details illegal liquor production, hawala transactions, and investment of illicit proceeds. The scam, estimated by the ED to be between 2019 and 2022, involved a complex network of illegal liquor sales, duplicate holograms, and routing of funds.

Meerut Court Convicts Muskan Rastogi, Sahil Shukla In Sensational Blue Drum Murder Case

Meerut Court Convicts Muskan Rastogi, Sahil Shukla In Sensational Blue Drum Murder Case

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla have been found guilty by a Meerut district court in the sensational "Blue Drum" murder case, involving the killing of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput. The court, citing a Supreme Court order on strict punishment for serious crimes, will announce the sentence after 15 days. The prosecution presented 22 witnesses and sought maximum punishment for the accused.

Meerut Court Convicts Muskan Rastogi, Sahil Shukla In Sensational Blue Drum Murder Case

Meerut Court Convicts Muskan Rastogi, Sahil Shukla In Sensational Blue Drum Murder Case

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla have been found guilty by a Meerut district court in the sensational "Blue Drum" murder case, involving the killing of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput. The court, citing a Supreme Court order on strict punishment for serious crimes, will announce the sentence after 15 days. The prosecution presented 22 witnesses and sought maximum punishment for the accused.

Emotional Bond Leads Delhi Teen To Odisha With Woman Fleeing Domestic Violence

Emotional Bond Leads Delhi Teen To Odisha With Woman Fleeing Domestic Violence

Rediff.com1 Oct 2026

A 16-year-old girl, reported missing from west Delhi, was traced to Odisha along with a 32-year-old woman. The girl had become emotionally attached to the woman, Pooja, who had allegedly experienced domestic violence, and accompanied her to her parental home in Odisha. Delhi Police, in coordination with Odisha police, successfully located them.

Experts Urge Caution: AI Must Not Replace Human Judgement In Tourism

Experts Urge Caution: AI Must Not Replace Human Judgement In Tourism

Rediff.com29 Sep 2026

Experts at a national symposium in Shillong discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence in tourism, emphasising that AI should support human judgment, local knowledge, and cultural values rather than replace them. Discussions highlighted the need for robust policies to address ethical concerns, safeguard livelihoods, and preserve cultural heritage while leveraging AI for innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector, particularly in Meghalaya.

Bhupinder Hooda Accuses BJP Of Ruining Haryana

Bhupinder Hooda Accuses BJP Of Ruining Haryana

Rediff.com2 Oct 2026

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticised the BJP government, alleging that the state has fallen from its top position in development to being number one in drugs, corruption, and crime. He claimed the BJP has not made any public interest decisions in 12 years and accused them of deteriorating Haryana's economic condition and allowing criminal gangs to flourish.

Where Has Assamese Woman Deported To Bangladesh Vanished?

Where Has Assamese Woman Deported To Bangladesh Vanished?

Rediff.com3 Oct 2026

More than three months after her midnight deportation, however, the central question remains unanswered: Where is Mumtaz Begum?

Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu pushes for 15-20% growth, urges proactive governance

Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu pushes for 15-20% growth, urges proactive governance

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has set an ambitious target for district collectors to achieve a 15-20 per cent growth rate, building on the state's 13.4 per cent growth in Q1 FY27, the highest in India.

SICKLE Dataset Empowers AI For Advanced Agricultural Insights

SICKLE Dataset Empowers AI For Advanced Agricultural Insights

Rediff.com25 Sep 2026

Researchers from IIIT-Delhi and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation have developed SICKLE, a multi-satellite dataset designed to enhance AI systems' ability to monitor crops, identify growth, and estimate yields across vast agricultural areas. This dataset combines satellite imagery with field-level information, enabling machine learning models to understand various aspects of crop cultivation and predict key parameters like phenology and productivity.

BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi Of Spreading False Narrative With AI Video

BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi Of Spreading False Narrative With AI Video

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

The BJP has strongly criticised Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders for allegedly promoting a false narrative against Delhi Police using a fabricated AI-generated video. This comes after an arrest was made in connection with circulating the video, which purportedly showed an ACP harassing a woman journalist. The BJP questions Gandhi's silence and the potential involvement of the Congress IT cell in creating and amplifying the fake content.

Asian Games Medallist Vidarsa K Vinod Speaks Out Against Cyberbullying

Asian Games Medallist Vidarsa K Vinod Speaks Out Against Cyberbullying

Rediff.com2 Oct 2026

Asian Games double silver medallist Vidarsa K Vinod has condemned the cyberattacks faced by fellow medallist Ancy Sojan, advocating for support for athletes and respect for their individuality. Returning to her hometown, Vidarsa also shared her journey into shooting and highlighted the improved support for athletes from the state government.

Gujarat Man Who Reported Grandmother-In-Law's Murder Confesses To Three Killings

Gujarat Man Who Reported Grandmother-In-Law's Murder Confesses To Three Killings

Rediff.com1 Oct 2026

A man in Gujarat's Surat district, who initially reported the alleged murder of his grandmother-in-law, has confessed to her killing and two other murders in 2022. Madhavdas Sadhu, along with his wife Urmila, allegedly murdered his grandmother-in-law, mother, and sister-in-law, primarily to seize property and cover up previous crimes.

Karnataka CM Unveils KEONICS' Vision For Tech-Driven Future

Karnataka CM Unveils KEONICS' Vision For Tech-Driven Future

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar lauded KEONICS' initiative to provide AI-based KEO computers to rural children, marking the institution's golden jubilee. The KEO computers, developed in Karnataka, aim to bridge the digital divide. Shivakumar also highlighted government efforts to promote IT beyond Bengaluru, enhance industry-oriented skills, and digitise property records, emphasising the state's commitment to technology and skill development.

Microsoft Expands Cloud And AI Footprint With New Telangana Datacenter

Microsoft Expands Cloud And AI Footprint With New Telangana Datacenter

Rediff.com24 Sep 2026

Microsoft has inaugurated its India South Central datacenter region in Telangana, marking its fourth cloud region in the country. This expansion aims to bolster India's cloud and AI infrastructure, with Telangana targeting 5 GW of datacenter capacity by 2029 and attracting significant investment in the digital ecosystem.

Unprecedented security clampdown in Delhi ahead of CJP protest; Internet, metro stations shut

Unprecedented security clampdown in Delhi ahead of CJP protest; Internet, metro stations shut

Rediff.com10 Oct 2026

Delhi is under an unprecedented security clampdown with 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed, 45 metro stations shut, and mobile internet suspended in parts of the city, as authorities deny permission for a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Raj local polls: Jolt to CM Sharma as Independents sweep his home turf

Raj local polls: Jolt to CM Sharma as Independents sweep his home turf

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Independents have secured nearly two-thirds of urban wards in Bharatpur and Deeg districts, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's home turf, significantly outperforming the BJP and Congress in local body elections. This unexpected surge sets the stage for a political battle as both major parties vie for the support of these Independent councillors to form civic boards.

Congress hits streets against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, demands his removal

Congress hits streets against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, demands his removal

Rediff.com29 Sep 2026

The Congress party has launched nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his removal. Accusing him of acting in favour of the BJP and citing alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions (SIR), party workers burned effigies and clashed with police. Opposition parties plan further action, including a meeting of the INDIA bloc to strategize for his ouster.

This Mumbai Cafe Teaches You How To Make Coffee

This Mumbai Cafe Teaches You How To Make Coffee

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

Instead of simply choosing the drink, you are encouraged to choose the coffee bean first. How much roast do you like? What kind of acidity suits your palate? Do you want something brighter, more delicate or richer?

Family feud erupts over Hanuman Ansh saint's ancestral home

Family feud erupts over Hanuman Ansh saint's ancestral home

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

A dispute has emerged over the ancestral home of 20th-century Hindu saint Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj in Akbarpur village, Uttar Pradesh. Six granddaughters have filed a complaint alleging illegal occupation by a Trust headed by their aunt, prompting the district administration to form an inquiry committee. The property, also a tourist attraction, is at the centre of a family feud following a recent incident where the granddaughters were allegedly denied lodging.

Enemies Beware! India Widens Missile Testing Infrastructure

Enemies Beware! India Widens Missile Testing Infrastructure

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

Specialised range taking shape in Andhra Pradesh, while West Bengal clears way for DRDO's new testing facility.

Elavenil Valarivan Receives Rs 1.33 Crore For Asian Games Success

Elavenil Valarivan Receives Rs 1.33 Crore For Asian Games Success

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi awarded shooter Elavenil Valarivan Rs 1.33 crore under the Khel Pratibha Puraskar Yojana for her two silver medals at the Asian Games 2026. The state government highlighted its commitment to nurturing sporting talent through various schemes and acknowledged the role of parents in athletes' success. Valarivan, an Arjuna Award recipient, has been associated with the Shaktidoot Scheme since 2017-18 and has represented India at multiple Olympics and won gold at the ISSF World Cup.

Why India Is Wooing Sri Lanka's JVP

Why India Is Wooing Sri Lanka's JVP

Rediff.com5 Oct 2026

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively courting Sri Lanka's Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a Marxist party with strong Sinhalese nationalist roots, marking a significant shift in bilateral relations despite ideological differences. This engagement, highlighted by a recent high-profile visit by JVP leader Tilvin Silva, aims to foster cooperation on economic projects and address New Delhi's concerns over slow progress in India-aided initiatives in the island nation.

Microsoft Unveils Fourth Cloud Region In India, Bolstering Telangana's Tech Ambitions

Microsoft Unveils Fourth Cloud Region In India, Bolstering Telangana's Tech Ambitions

Rediff.com24 Sep 2026

Microsoft has inaugurated its India South Central data centre region in Telangana, marking its fourth cloud region in the country and significantly expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure. This strategic investment supports Telangana's ambitious goal of achieving 5 GW of data centre capacity by 2029 and attracting USD 30 billion in digital infrastructure investments, further solidifying Hyderabad's role as a global technology hub.

Microsoft Unveils Fourth Cloud Region In India, Bolstering Telangana's Tech Ambitions

Microsoft Unveils Fourth Cloud Region In India, Bolstering Telangana's Tech Ambitions

Rediff.com24 Sep 2026

Microsoft has inaugurated its India South Central data centre region in Telangana, marking its fourth cloud region in the country and significantly expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure. This strategic investment supports Telangana's ambitious goal of achieving 5 GW of data centre capacity by 2029 and attracting USD 30 billion in digital infrastructure investments, further solidifying Hyderabad's role as a global technology hub.

Maharashtra Tremors: Should Mumbai Worry?

Maharashtra Tremors: Should Mumbai Worry?

Rediff.com5 Oct 2026

'Nobody can say a quake will strike on a particular day or month. It remains a natural event, governed by factors that are only partly understood, even by researchers working on this across the world.'

High Court Transfers R G Kar Hospital Case To CBI SIT

High Court Transfers R G Kar Hospital Case To CBI SIT

Rediff.com1 Oct 2026

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of a case concerning the alleged hurried cremation and destruction of evidence in the R G Kar hospital rape and murder case to the CBI's Special Investigation Team. This decision comes as the CBI is already probing a larger conspiracy in the doctor's death, and the court found it inappropriate for both state and central agencies to investigate the same issue.

Police Encounter In Ujjain: Two Murder Accused Shot While Trying To Escape

Police Encounter In Ujjain: Two Murder Accused Shot While Trying To Escape

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

Two men, Sonu Pasi and Vijay Suryavanshi, wanted for the murder of two brothers in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, were shot in the legs by police during an alleged escape attempt. The accused were detained and tried to flee while being transported, pelting stones at officers before being recaptured. The incident stems from a family dispute that escalated into a fatal clash in July.

Dismissed Constable's Mother Demands Death Penalty For Son

Dismissed Constable's Mother Demands Death Penalty For Son

Rediff.com25 Sep 2026

The mother of dismissed police constable Shailesh Patil, accused in a rape case in Bhiwandi, Thane, has publicly sought the death penalty for her son. She alleges he has victimised multiple women and forcibly seized her property, rendering her homeless.

UDF Government To Prioritise Ernakulam's Development

UDF Government To Prioritise Ernakulam's Development

Rediff.com16 May 2026

Ernakulam DCC president Mohammed Shiyas criticised the previous LDF government's neglect of the district and expressed optimism for development under the UDF regime, citing sufficient representation in the state cabinet and a focus on addressing key issues.

After 1,123 days, tent and stage at Maratha protest epicentre dismantled

After 1,123 days, tent and stage at Maratha protest epicentre dismantled

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

The protest site at Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra's Jalna district, which served as the epicentre for the Maratha reservation agitation led by Manoj Jarange, has been dismantled after 1,123 days. Local residents and the sarpanch decided to remove the tent and stage to facilitate daily activities and traffic movement, marking the end of a significant chapter in the three-year-long demand for OBC quota for the Maratha community.