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Thiruvananthapuram-Delhi Air India Flight Emergency Landing in Chennai

NewsCloud Editor — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 04:34:04 +0000

An Air India AI-2455 flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi turned into a night of anxiety for passengers on Wednesday. The flight was carrying Congress MP K.C. Venugopal along with several other MPs and over 100 passengers.

Shortly after take-off, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence. The captain then announced that due to a technical issue related to signal systems, the flight would be diverted to Chennai. After circling in the air for nearly two hours to obtain clearance, the first landing attempt had to be aborted. The aircraft eventually landed safely on its second attempt.

K.C. Venugopal later stated on social media that passengers’ lives should never be left to fate and called for an investigation into the matter.

Air India clarified that due to bad weather and technical issues, the diversion to Chennai was made as a precaution. The first landing was aborted on Air Traffic Control’s instructions. The airline maintained that passenger safety remains its top priority and that all procedures were followed as per regulations.

Flight tracking data shows the plane took off from Thiruvananthapuram at 8:17 PM, landed in Chennai at 10:35 PM, and departed again at 1:40 AM, finally reaching Delhi at 3:58 AM.

The incident comes amid a series of recent mechanical and service-related controversies involving Air India, raising concerns about the airline’s operational standards.

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Inside Thanjavur’s Sarasvati Mahal Library – A 500-Year Journey Through Knowledge

NewsCloud Editor — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 13:20:43 +0000

The city of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is home to the historic Maratha Palace. From 1535 to 1674, it served as the seat of power for the Nayak dynasty, rulers who not only defended South India from foreign invasions but also ushered in a golden age of literature and culture. During their reign, they established a special library to preserve ancient manuscripts — a treasure now known as the Sarasvati Mahal Library, regarded as the oldest surviving library in Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest in India.

Locally called Maharaja Serfoji’s Library, the institution bears the name of a Maratha king, even though it was originally founded by the Nayaks. The reason lies in history: in 1675, the Marathas captured Thanjavur from the Nayaks. While the Nayak rule ended, the tradition of preserving literature continued — and it was Serfoji II, a Maratha ruler, who played the most significant role in expanding and enriching the library’s collection.

A visionary leader, philosopher, humanist, and Sanskrit scholar, Serfoji II immersed himself in the library’s manuscripts, reading them all in a short span. Eager to expand the collection, he invited Sanskrit scholars from northern and northeastern India, acquiring rare works and commissioning copies of ancient texts. The library’s holdings grew to include not only Sanskrit, but also Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and English works. Serfoji also created one of India’s earliest cultural and literary maps. Remarkably, the library housed the world’s oldest printed atlas and the earliest Tamil Bible, printed in the late 17th century. The Bible was stolen in 2005 but was later recovered from the London Museum.

While other Indian libraries built before the Nayak era have vanished with time, this remarkable institution has survived for over 500 years. Today, it preserves around 49,000 manuscripts, including 39,000 in Sanskrit, 3,500 in Tamil, and 3,000 in Marathi — among them priceless works like the oldest known manuscripts of Saint Ramdas and Dattatreya, the 1807 Madras Almanac, currency issued by Serfoji II, his globes, maps, correspondence, and original plans of Thanjavur city.

The library temporarily closed during the late 18th century under British rule but reopened to the public in 1918. After India’s independence, the Government of India assumed responsibility for maintaining not only the library but the entire Maratha Palace complex.

Today, the Sarasvati Mahal Library stands as a living archive — not just a jewel of Tamil Nadu, but a proud cultural treasure for the entire nation.

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Supreme Court Orders State to Pay ₹766 Crore to Tata in Singur Case

NewsCloud Editor — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 10:53:10 +0000

In 2006, the then Left Front government acquired farmland in Singur to provide land to the Tata Group for setting up its “one-lakh car” manufacturing plant. The acquisition process, however, drew strong objections from the then opposition party, Trinamool Congress, which launched a large-scale protest involving many farmers and social activists. The movement eventually became one of the key catalysts for the political change in West Bengal in 2011. After coming to power, the Trinamool Congress government, following a Supreme Court order, returned the land to the farmers.

While the farmers regained their land, Tata Group lost the opportunity to set up the factory, suffering significant financial losses. Seeking compensation, the company moved the matter to court, which was referred to an arbitration tribunal. The tribunal ruled in favour of Tata Motors, directing the state to pay compensation.

On Friday, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice P. Narasimha and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar upheld the tribunal’s decision, ordering the state government to pay Tata Motors ₹766 crore. During the hearing, the state’s counsel, Kapil Sibal, questioned the impartiality of one tribunal member, but the bench dismissed the concern and warned that if the allegation proved unfounded, the state could face a hefty penalty.

The verdict has sparked political reactions across the state. Opposition parties have criticised the government, claiming that “politics over protests” has cost the state heavily, both in reputation and financially. The ruling party has yet to issue an official response.

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CBI Raids Former RG Kar Principal’s Residence in Corruption Probe

NewsCloud Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:26:28 +0000

At 6:45 AM, CBI officials arrived in front of the residence of former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandeep Ghosh. Standing outside the gate, they repeatedly knocked and rang the doorbell, but received no response from inside. As the neighborhood gradually became alert, the silence from within the house raised concerns, prompting the CBI officials to begin discussing possible legal measures.

Time passed, and finally, at 8:03 AM, Sandeep Ghosh opened the door. By then, a seven-member CBI team had already entered and begun searching the premises. Sources confirmed that the raid was part of an ongoing investigation into corruption at RG Kar Medical College.

The operation was not limited to Sandeep Ghosh’s residence. Raids were also conducted at other key locations, including the Kestopur home of Debashis Som, head of RG Kar’s Forensic Medicine Department, the Entally residence of former hospital superintendent Sanjay Basishtha, and the Howrah home of Biplab Singh, a medical supplies contractor. Biplab Singh is accused of supplying medical equipment to RG Kar and is now under CBI scrutiny. In total, the CBI carried out searches at 15 different locations as part of this investigation.

The raids follow a tragic incident on August 8, when a female student at RG Kar Medical College was raped and brutally murdered. The horrific event sparked a flood of corruption allegations within the institution. Sandeep Ghosh has been at the center of these charges, accused of turning the college into a hotbed of corruption. Former Deputy Superintendent Akhtar Ali went on record, naming Sandeep Ghosh as the mastermind behind the irregularities and corruption at the hospital.

Following these developments, the court assigned the investigation to the CBI. Although Sandeep Ghosh challenged the court’s decision by moving to a division bench, his appeal was rejected. In recent days, CBI officials have continuously interrogated him, including a full day of questioning at the CGO Complex on Saturday. The early morning raid on Sunday was a follow-up to that session, and the agency is also investigating why it took so long for Ghosh to open the door when officials arrived.

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Debashis Som Named in RG Kar Hospital Financial Corruption Case, Questioned by CBI

NewsCloud Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:16:31 +0000

Following intense raids since Sunday morning, the CBI arrested Debashis Som from his Kestopur residence around 4 PM. Som, a senior official in the Forensic Medicine Department of RG Kar Medical College, was taken to Nizam Palace in Kolkata for interrogation. His name has now surfaced in the financial corruption case involving RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, making him a key figure in the ongoing investigation.

The day’s operation began with simultaneous raids at several prominent locations, including former principal Sandeep Ghosh’s residence. The CBI team also visited Debashis Som’s residence in Kestopur. A long-time associate of the RG Kar Medical College’s forensic department, Som currently serves as a Demonstrator. He is also a member of the college council and holds a position in a committee of the National Medical Commission.

According to hospital staff, there had long been talk of a close relationship between Debashis Som and Sandeep Ghosh. Allegations suggest that Som spent more time in Sandeep Ghosh’s office than in his own department and exerted considerable influence over the forensic department. This influence, many claim, has led to several controversies and is now being linked to the corruption scandal.

Recently, former Deputy Superintendent Akhtar Ali publicly accused Sandeep Ghosh of being the mastermind behind corruption and irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. In his statement, Debashis Som was also named as being involved in financial misconduct. These allegations formed the basis for the CBI’s investigation and raids on Sunday.

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Major CBI Crackdown: Raids at Multiple Locations in RG Kar Medical College Corruption Case

NewsCloud Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:06:41 +0000

Sunday morning unfolded with an unusual air of tension across Kolkata. The CBI launched a massive operation in several parts of the city and across various districts in West Bengal as part of its investigation into financial corruption at RG Kar Medical College. Since the operation began, CBI officers have conducted multiple raids across the city, including at the Beliaghata residence of former principal Sandeep Ghosh, and in areas like Kestopur, Belgachia, Tala, and Howrah.

Around 6:30 AM, a CBI team arrived at Sandeep Ghosh’s house in Beliaghata. After waiting for over an hour for the door to open, the officials finally entered the premises. The residence was placed under tight central security. As the search progressed, additional forces arrived in the afternoon, and other CBI team members joined the operation.

At the same time, another CBI team reached Kestopur, targeting the residence of a senior official from the Forensic Medicine Department at RG Kar Medical College. This official is suspected of involvement in the corruption due to his close ties with Sandeep Ghosh. His influence within the hospital’s operations has reportedly been significant, placing him at the center of the allegations.

Meanwhile, in Entally, the residence of former hospital superintendent Sanjay Basishtha was also raided. After a thorough search, he was taken to another location by the CBI for further questioning. In Hatgachha, Howrah, the home of Biplab Singh, a medical supply contractor, was raided, and investigators reportedly recovered important information from the site.

In addition, the CBI conducted raids at a café owner’s residence on J.K. Ghosh Road in Belgachia, and at a businessman’s house in Tala. In total, the agency raided 15 locations across Kolkata in a bid to dismantle the corruption network within RG Kar Medical College.

The wave of scrutiny intensified following a tragic incident involving the rape and murder of a female student at the college. This incident brought to light a series of allegations surrounding financial irregularities at the institution. At the center of these allegations is former principal Sandeep Ghosh, whose role in allegedly transforming the hospital into a hub of corruption has raised serious concerns. Former Deputy Superintendent Akhtar Ali has directly accused Ghosh of being the mastermind behind the corruption, claiming that Sandeep and his close associates were involved in various illegal and financial misdeeds at RG Kar.

The court recently handed over the investigation to the CBI, and despite filing appeals, Sandeep Ghosh was denied any relief. He was interrogated by the central agency for nine consecutive days, including a lengthy session on Saturday at the CGO Complex. Following that, the CBI launched Sunday’s active raids.

Now, all eyes are on the next phase of the investigation, as the public eagerly awaits whether new revelations will surface or if any arrests will follow.

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Bidhan Chandra Roy and Kalyani: A Tale of Myth Behind History

NewsCloud Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:01:45 +0000

Bidhan Chandra Roy was an extraordinary physician, whose skill and clinical expertise were truly remarkable. He served as the second Chief Minister of Bengal and was once the Mayor of Kolkata. Having returned from abroad with prestigious degrees like MRCP and FRCS, he was not just remembered as a brilliant doctor, but also as a prominent political figure in Bengal’s history. Yet, there is another story about him—one that has long lived in the imagination of Bengalis: the legend of his unfulfilled love.

Bengalis are often drawn to tales of unfulfilled longing. There’s something about sorrowful stories that resonate deeply with the heart—and Dr. Roy’s supposed love story is no exception. This widely circulated tale tells of a woman named Kalyani, to whom Bidhan Roy was said to be deeply devoted. The story has been retold through generations and across various media — from TV and radio to the internet.

At the center of this fictional narrative is Dr. Nilratan Sircar, portrayed in imagination as a stern, disapproving father. But in reality, this story holds no historical truth. The idea that Bidhan Roy was in love with Nilratan Sircar’s daughter Kalyani is nothing more than a fabricated myth. Dr. Sircar had five daughters — Nalini Basu, Arundhati Chatterjee, Shanta Sen, Meera Sen, and Kamala Chatterjee — but none of them were named Kalyani. Moreover, Bidhan Roy shared a cordial relationship with Nilratan Sircar and even served as his personal physician.

So where did the name “Kalyani” come from?

During World War II, a base was constructed near Kolkata for the U.S. military, which later became known as Kalyani. Under Dr. Roy’s vision, this area was transformed into a well-planned town, which he named Kalyani. It is likely that from this association, the name “Kalyani” became romantically linked to a fictional love story involving Bidhan Roy.

Some believe that Dr. Roy remained unmarried due to a failed love affair, but in his own words, his true love was his work. He once said, “I am married to my work.” Yet, we have turned his bachelor life into a spicy romantic tale, detached from reality.

Even today, this false story continues to live on in Bengali society, passed down through generations as if it were true. But in reality, it is nothing more than a myth — a fabricated legend born over time.

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Saraswathi Mahal Library: A Symbol of India’s Ancient Knowledge Heritage

NewsCloud Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 22:58:27 +0000

Thanjavur, a historic city in Tamil Nadu, is home to the Maratha Palace, an important architectural landmark. From 1535 to 1674, the Nayak rulers governed their kingdom from this very palace. The Nayak dynasty played a crucial role in resisting foreign invasions in South India. During their reign, Thanjavur flourished not only militarily but also became a hub of literature and culture. In their pursuit of preserving ancient literature, they established a library — which today is known as the Saraswathi Mahal Library, one of the oldest surviving libraries in India.

Locally, this library is also referred to as the Maharaja Serfoji’s Library. Although Serfoji was not a Nayak ruler, he belonged to the Maratha dynasty. In 1675, the Maratha emperors took control of Thanjavur, but the efforts to preserve literature did not stop. In fact, under Maharaja Serfoji II, the library was further enriched. Serfoji was a philosopher, humanist, and Sanskrit scholar. He collected rare Sanskrit manuscripts and expanded the library with books in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and English.

The library once housed one of the world’s oldest atlases and a printed Tamil Bible. The Bible was stolen in 2005 but was later recovered from a museum in London.

Although libraries were built in various parts of India long before the Nayak rule, most of them have been lost to time. However, the Saraswathi Mahal Library has survived for nearly 500 years. Today, it houses approximately 49,000 manuscripts, including 39,000 in Sanskrit, 3,500 in Tamil, and 3,000 in Marathi. Among its treasures are ancient manuscripts by Sri Ramdas and Dattatreya.

During the British era, the library was temporarily closed in the late 18th century, but it was reopened to the public in 1918. After India gained independence, the Government of India took over the maintenance of the library and the Maratha Palace. This ancient archive is not only a treasure of Tamil Nadu but a source of national pride for the entire country.

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State Government Cancels Appointment of Sandeep Ghosh as Principal of National Medical College Amid Mounting Pressure

NewsCloud Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 22:56:36 +0000

Facing mounting pressure from all sides, the West Bengal government has withdrawn the appointment order of Sandeep Ghosh, former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College, as the principal of National Medical College. This announcement was made on Wednesday evening by State Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam. On August 12, Sandeep Ghosh had submitted his resignation from government service as the principal of R.G. Kar Medical College. However, instead of accepting his resignation, the state government had appointed him as the principal of National Medical College.

His appointment triggered a political storm in recent days. The opposition questioned why someone facing corruption allegations was appointed principal after his resignation was rejected. Even the High Court intervened, asking what vested interest the state government had in appointing Sandeep Ghosh. The court directed that if Ghosh did not go on extended leave by 3 PM on the said day, strict action would be taken against him. Furthermore, the court issued an indefinite ban on his appointment as principal or to any equivalent post at National Medical or any other institution.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court also raised concerns, questioning how he could be given a new assignment after submitting his resignation.

Amid these developments, medical students staged a protest at the State Health Department on Wednesday, demanding that Ghosh’s appointment as principal of National Medical College be cancelled. The Health Secretary later confirmed that the government accepted the students’ demand.

It’s worth noting that the day after Ghosh’s appointment on August 12, students launched a protest inside the campus, staging a sit-in outside the principal’s office. The following day, when TMC MLA Swarnakamal Saha and Minister Javed Khan tried to mediate with the protesters, they were met with slogans like “Go Back.” The decision to reinstate Sandeep Ghosh even drew criticism within the ruling Trinamool Congress, with several party leaders — including Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar — expressing dissatisfaction with the move.

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Rabindranath’s Life in Patisar: A New Economic Vision Rooted in the Lives of Farmers

NewsCloud Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 22:53:09 +0000

In the early 20th century, Rabindranath Tagore took charge of managing his family’s zamindari (estate) and came to Patisar, located in present-day Naogaon district (then part of Bengal). Life here was far removed from the luxury of Jorasanko, his ancestral home in Kolkata — instead, it was marked by hardship and struggle. In Patisar, Rabindranath witnessed firsthand the daily suffering of farmers. Exploited by greedy moneylenders charging exorbitant interest rates, the peasants were being driven into poverty. These experiences left a deep impact on him and inspired him to find ways to improve their quality of life.

At that time, modern banking systems in India were still in their infancy. Initially, Rabindranath could not find a solution to the farmers’ financial woes. Eventually, he realized that a banking system could be a powerful tool to support farmers. In response, he established India’s first agricultural bank in 1905 at Kaligram in Patisar. This bank provided low-interest loans to farmers, helping them become financially stable. Though the farmers were initially skeptical, over time, they began to trust and benefit from the system.

Meanwhile, 1905 was also the year of the Bengal Partition, which triggered widespread unrest across Bengal. In Kolkata, the Swadeshi movement gained momentum. While the urban elites joined protests, Rabindranath came to the banks of the Padma River and stood beside the farmers. His efforts went beyond the bank — he also established a high school and a charitable dispensary in the area. Although raising funds for the agricultural bank was difficult at first, he did not give up. Later, when he received the Nobel Prize, he used the prize money to fund these initiatives.

In 1913, after being awarded the Nobel Prize, Rabindranath invested ₹1,08,000 of the prize money in the Patisar Agricultural Bank to support the farmers. He used the rest of the prize money to help establish Visva-Bharati University. Unfortunately, the agricultural bank could not sustain itself and eventually went bankrupt. Rabindranath never recovered his investment, but he did his best to return the money to other depositors as much as possible.

Though born into an aristocratic zamindar family, Rabindranath chose not to live a life of luxury. Instead, he chose to walk alongside the poor and share in their struggles. To raise funds for Visva-Bharati, he even toured the country and traveled abroad with a troupe performing plays. Many of his initiatives may not have succeeded in the conventional sense, but his alternative vision for India’s economy remains deeply relevant and important even today.

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