Take pride in heritage, says PM Modi as he tries to stem Taj Mahal row
Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP made an attempt to douse the fire on the Taj Mahal controversy triggered by BJP MLA Sangeet Som's comments that the monument was "a blot on Indian culture," leaving the party red-faced. Underlining the significance of history and heritage in a nation's development, the Prime Minister said no country can develop by ignoring its past. Read full story here
Delhi's pollution levels to spike on Diwali even after SC's cracker ban
Even as the Supreme Court has banned sale of firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), particulate matter (PM) pollution is set to spike on Diwali, October 19 and on October 20, as weather conditions are expected to slow down surface winds. This would also slow down the dispersal of pollutants. The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast showed that a low-pressure over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into a depression over the next two days. Read full story here
20 power plants in super critical state, set to dim Diwali sparkle
A looming power shortage may dampen Diwali celebrations for lakhs of families as twenty thermal power plants across the country are running at super critical levels and another seven in critical stage due to an acute shortage of coal. Power plants with almost 30 gigawatt (gw) or 29,142 megawatt (mw) installed capacity are either in super critical or critical condition, while 625 mw is out of the grid. Read full story here
Released from jail, Talwar couple to seek blessings from Guru
The Talwar couple left for a sacred visit to Punjab a day after being realised from Dasna jail where they spent four years after being convicted for killing their daughter Aarushi and house help Hemraj. Immediate family members of the couple said they will be visiting religious places in Punjab as part of a ritual as they had sought a "mannat" (wish) of paying homage on their release from jail. Read full story here
Dark Dhanteras in Delhi as gold sales dive by 35%
Business plummeted considerably in the national capital this Dhanteras as people shied away from buying gold and other metals. The festival marks the official beginning of Diwali, which, this year, has been reeling under less than enthusiastic fervour. Goldsmiths and jewellers across the capital, and in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur, have complained of sales nosediving by as much as 15 to even 50 per cent this year. Read full story here
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