Jhansi Medical College Fire: Initial Short Circuit Ignored, 4-member probe panel Formed to Investigate Incident
A tragic fire broke out at the NICU of Jhansi’s Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College late Friday night, claiming the lives of 10 newborns. It has now emerged that a short circuit occurred earlier that evening but was ignored by staff. A second short circuit at 10:45 pm caused the fire, which also left 16 others injured. The state government has formed a 4-member probe committee to investigate the incident and recommend measures to prevent future tragedies. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance for the families of the victims, and both President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi expressed their condolences.
Tragic Fire at Jhansi Medical College Claims Lives of 10 Children, 32 Rescued
A tragic fire at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh on Friday night claimed the lives of 10 children and injured several others. The blaze, caused by an electrical short circuit, erupted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where the children were in incubators. 32 others were rescued from the ward. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and directed immediate relief efforts, while Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak was sent to oversee the situation. An investigation into the incident has been ordered.
UPPCS Agrees to Hold Prelims on Single Day, Accepts Demands of Protesting Students
In response to protests from aspirants, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has agreed to conduct the PCS Preliminary Examination 2024 in a single shift. This decision follows intervention by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who directed the commission to address the concerns of students. However, protesters have vowed to continue their agitation until the UP government agrees to hold the RO/ARO exam in a single shift as well. The move comes after concerns over paper leaks and varying difficulty levels in exams held across multiple shifts.
UP bypolls: Yogi Adityanath Slams Samajwadi Party, Calls It a ‘Production House of Criminals and mafia’
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of being a "Production House of Dangai (rioters) and Apradhi (criminals)." Speaking at a rally in Ambedkar Nagar ahead of the November 20 bypolls, Adityanath redefined the SP's coined term ‘PDA’ (Pichhde, Dalits, and Alpsakhyak) to highlight the party’s alleged links with criminals and mafia. He also called SP chief Akhilesh Yadav the "CEO" of this criminal network, while Shivpal Yadav was referred to as the "trainer." Adityanath further criticized the SP for its involvement in criminal activities across the state, pointing to notorious figures like Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari as products of the party's "production house." The remarks come as nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh are set for bypolls, with both the BJP and SP vying for key constituencies.
SC upheld the constitutional validity of the UP Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004
The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act of 2004, providing relief to around 17 lakh students in over 16,000 madrasas across the state. The Act, which regulates the functioning of madrasas and ensures the inclusion of secular subjects alongside religious education, had been challenged by the Allahabad High Court on grounds of secularism violations. The Supreme Court's ruling overturns the High Court's decision and supports the continuation of the law, which includes provisions for curriculum development, examinations, and certification from the state’s Madarsa Education Board. The decision also impacts over 21,000 teachers employed in these madrasas, who provide education in subjects like Science, Math, and English to students.
