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Sacred Trust Shattered: Civic Volunteers Arrested for Stealing Gold from Durga Idol in Malda

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  Malda, West Bengal — In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of disbelief through the community, two civic volunteers tasked with providing security during Durga Puja celebrations have been arrested for allegedly stealing gold ornaments from the Goddess Durga idol itself. The theft, which occurred during the festive season at a pandal in Gazole, Malda, has raised serious questions about security protocols and the abuse of positions of trust. The Audacious Crime The incident took place at the Eklakhi Gandhimor Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Gazole during the Ashtami celebrations—one of the most auspicious days of the festival. What makes this case particularly egregious is that the accused were not outsiders or opportunistic thieves, but civic volunteers specifically deployed to ensure the safety and security of the puja venue and its devotees. According to reports, the theft occurred during the late night hours when the festive crowds had thinned. The accused allegedly ...

Durga Puja 2024: Where Faith, Art, and Social Conscience Converge in Kolkata

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  A Cultural Journey Through Bengal's Most Celebrated Festival As the autumn breeze sweeps through the City of Joy, Kolkata transforms into a sprawling open-air gallery, resonating with the rhythmic beats of dhak drums and the fragrance of incense. Durga Puja, Bengal's most cherished festival, is far more than a religious celebration—it's a cultural phenomenon that brings millions together in a spectacular display of devotion, artistry, and social awareness. The Pandal Trail: Where Art Meets Devotion Each year, Kolkata's Durga Puja pandals push the boundaries of creativity, turning temporary structures into architectural marvels that rival permanent installations. The 2024 edition proved no exception, with organizers investing unprecedented resources to create immersive experiences for devotees and visitors alike. From the traditional charm of Kumartuli Park, nestled in Kolkata's renowned potters' quarter, to the grand spectacle of Santosh Mitra Square in Lebut...

India's Historic Leap: First Indigenous Semiconductor Chip Production on the Horizon

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  India stands at the cusp of a technological revolution. After decades of dependence on imported semiconductors, the nation is poised to achieve a milestone that could reshape its position in the global technology landscape. Union Minister for Electronics and IT announced at the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal that India's first indigenously developed semiconductor chip will be ready for production by 2025. This development represents more than just manufacturing capability—it symbolizes India's journey toward technological self-reliance, or "Aatmanirbhar Bharat," as envisioned by the government's ambitious industrial policy. A Strategic Vision Materializing The announcement comes as part of a focused government initiative that began in 2022, designed to establish India as a significant player in the global semiconductor industry. The chip, developed under a focused government initiative launched in 2022, will be within the 28 to 90 nanometre (nm) rang...

David vs. Goliath Down Under: Epic Games Secures Historic Victory Against Apple and Google in Australia

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  In a landmark decision that reverberates across the global tech industry, Australia's Federal Court has ruled in favor of Epic Games in its antitrust battle against tech giants Apple and Google, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing fight for app store reform worldwide. The Verdict That Shook Silicon Valley On Tuesday, Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach delivered a partial victory to Epic Games, the maker of the globally popular battle royale game Fortnite. The court upheld key parts of Epic's claim that the tech giants breached Australian competition laws by misusing their market power against app developers and using restrictive trade practices. Australia has ruled that Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store are uncompetitive, a decision that Epic Games has declared as a victory in its years-long legal crusade against what it views as monopolistic practices in mobile app distribution. Breaking Down the Court's Findings The Australian Federal Cour...

From Chaos to Clarity: How CLARKE AI is Revolutionizing Disaster Response in Minutes

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  When Hurricane Helene tore through Florida and Pennsylvania in 2024, emergency responders faced a familiar challenge: how to quickly assess widespread damage across thousands of buildings to prioritize rescue operations and allocate resources. What once took days of painstaking manual assessment now takes mere minutes, thanks to a groundbreaking AI system developed at Texas A&M University. The technology, aptly named CLARKE—short for Computer vision and Learning for Analysis of Roads and Key Edifices—represents a quantum leap in disaster response capabilities. "This is the first AI system that can classify building and road damage from drone imagery at this scale and speed," explains Dr. Robin Murphy, a pioneer in rescue robotics who co-developed the system. "We're talking about assessing a neighborhood of 2,000 homes in just seven minutes. That kind of speed can save lives and resources." The Magic Behind the Machine CLARKE's name pays homage to scie...

CBSE's Revolutionary Move: Open-Book Exams for Class 9 Students Starting 2026-27

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  In a groundbreaking decision that promises to reshape the educational landscape in India, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially approved the introduction of Open-Book Assessments (OBAs) for Class 9 students, effective from the academic session 2026-27. This transformative initiative, ratified by CBSE's Governing Body in June 2025, marks a significant departure from traditional examination methods and aligns with the progressive vision outlined in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. A Paradigm Shift from Rote Learning to Competency-Based Education The introduction of open-book exams represents more than just a change in assessment methodology—it's a fundamental shift in educational philosophy. As the NCFSE 2023 emphasizes, there's an urgent need to transition from rote memorization to competency-based learning, with OBAs serving as a powerful catalyst for this transformation. This move addresses a long-standing con...

India Soars to Fifth Largest Aviation Market: A New Chapter in Global Aviation

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  India's aviation industry has achieved another historic milestone, cementing its position as the world's fifth-largest aviation market in 2024. This remarkable achievement underscores the country's rapid economic growth, rising middle-class aspirations, and the transformative power of air connectivity in driving national development. The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story According to the latest World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India handled an impressive 241 million passengers in 2024, marking an 11.1% year-on-year increase. This surge propelled India past Japan, which recorded 205 million passengers, securing its place among the world's aviation elite. The global aviation landscape now sees the United States maintaining its dominance with 876 million passengers, followed by China at 741 million. The UK holds third position with 261 million passengers, while Spain occupies fourth place with ...