NEW DELHI, Apr 24: The Registrar General of India (RGI) has launched a national toll-free helpline, 1855, for Census 2027 to address queries or guidance related to the First Phase of the country’s headcount: Housing Listing and Housing Enumeration (HLO).
The Census Commissioner also launched a WhatsApp chatbot for the public.
The helpline’s multi-lingual facility will cater to the needs and queries of enumerators, supervisors, and the general public, the RGI said in a recent communique to all states and union territories.
Necessary steps have been taken to ensure interconnectivity with all landline and mobile operators for this toll-free number, it said.
The RGI said, “For the specific Census queries, the calls from the public will be connected to the respective state Directorate Census Operations for its solution.”
The ongoing Census 2027 will be the eighth since Independence.
This fully digital exercise offers citizens the option of self-enumeration for the first time, allowing them to answer 33 notified questions themselves on a dedicated portal.
India’s decadal exercise scheduled for 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the country.
The Census is being conducted in two phases: House-listing and housing census from April to September 2026, and population enumeration (PE) in February 2027. (PTI)
MALE, Apr 24 : India has approved the first withdrawal of Rs 30 billion under its continuing economic and financial assistance to Maldives, according to the Indian High Commission here.
The funds are being released under the first drawdown of the SAARC Currency Swap Framework, the Indian mission said in a statement on Thursday.
The withdrawal under the ‘Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries’, was signed between RBI and the Maldives government during President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to New Delhi in October 2024, it added.
The earlier USD 400 million withdrawal, availed by Maldives under this framework in October 2024, matured on Thursday, the Indian High Commission said.
In a statement on Thursday, the Maldives Foreign Ministry said the settlement of the USD 400 million facility reflects the government’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations, Sun Online reported.
“Since inception of the SAARC Swap Framework in 2012, the Reserve Bank of India has provided an aggregate swap support of USD 1.1 billion to Maldives,” the release said.
The currency swap facility has proved to be an important element in ensuring financial stability of the Maldives, the Indian High Commission said.
Last year, India had rolled-over Treasury Bills worth USD 100 million, issued by the Maldives government as emergency financial assistance at their request.
“Maldives is an important partner under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. India, as a friendly neighbour, has always been the ‘first responder’ for Maldives,” the Indian mission said. )PTI_
KOLKATA, April 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) “jungle raj” for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee inside the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
Modi, who was addressing an Assembly election meeting In Panihati Assembly constituency in Kolkata’s northern fringes in support of the BJP candidate Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar victim, focussed on issues related to women and attacked West Bengal’s ruling TMC for allegedly exploiting the condition of women in the state.
The RG Kar incident has sparked widespread citizens’ movement across the state as well as the country.
Modi led a roadshow before reaching the campaign ground in Panihati with Debnath by his side.
“Jis maa ne apni beti to doctor banaya aur jiski beti ko TMC ke maha jungle raaj ne cheen liya, BJP ne usi maa to apna ummeedwar banaya hai isbar (This mother had raised her daughter to become a doctor. The same daughter was snatched away by the lawlessness that thrives under the TMC rule in West Bengal. This time we, the BJP have made the same mother a candidate,” Modi told the rally goers.
Referring to the first phase of West Bengal elections on Thursday that witnessed a record turnout of voters, Modi claimed the Trinamool Congress is in a state of disarray.
“The entire Trinamool Congress is in disarray after they saw the record turnout of voters. Due to this they are trying to get goons to start violence in the state. This is akin to the rapid burning of a lamp before it flickers out. The Trinamool Congress is in a similar state,” Modi added.
At Panihati, Modi focussed on issues related to women and attacked the ruling TMC for allegedly exploiting the condition of women in the state.
“The chief minister of the state asks why women stay out doors after 7 pm. Why does the TMC want to keep women indoors and subdued ” Modi asked the crowd.
He also stated that once the BJP comes to power they will ensure women get safety, respect and promised to fulfil their dreams while acting as their shield.
“We will ensure the safety and security for every woman in the state. We will ensure that all the dreams and aspirations of the women in Bengal gets fulfilled,” Modi said.
He finally turned to the voters of Bengal and asked them to bestow BJP with votes.
“Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had famously said give me blood and I will give you freedom. Today, I am telling you to bless me with votes and I will give you freedom from this maha jungle raj,” Modi said. (UNI)
MUMBAI, Apr 24 : Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled over 1 per cent on Friday, falling for the third consecutive day, as a sharp rally in crude prices and massive selling in IT counters weighed heavily on investors’ sentiment.
Unabated foreign fund outflows, a negative trend in global markets amid prolonged conflict and continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz added to the gloom.
The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 999.79 points, or 1.29 per cent, to settle at 76,664.21. During the day, it plunged 1,260.13 points or 1.62 per cent to 76,403.87.
A total of 2,905 stocks declined, while 1,326 advanced and 158 remained unchanged on the BSE.
The wider gauge NSE Nifty slumped 275.10 points, or 1.14 per cent, to end at 23,897.95.
On the weekly front, the BSE benchmark tanked 1,829.33 points, or 2.33 per cent, and the Nifty dropped 455.6 points, or 1.87 per cent.
“Indian equity markets extended their decline for a third consecutive session, as renewed risk-off sentiment weighed on investor confidence. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East, coupled with persistent weakness in the IT sector, continued to pressure an already fragile market backdrop.
“Volatility also increased, with the India VIX rising 6 per cent, reflecting heightened fear and uncertainty amid the prolonged conflict and continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, with no meaningful signs of de-escalation,” Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.
From the Sensex constituents, Infosys dived 7.09 per cent after its revenue growth forecast for FY27 came in lower than market expectations.
HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints and ICICI Bank were also among the major laggards.
In contrast, Trent, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the winners.
The BSE SmallCap Select index dropped 0.95 per cent, and the MidCap Select index dipped 0.91 per cent.
All sectoral indices ended lower. The BSE IT tanked 5.13 per cent, BSE Focused IT (4.65 per cent), Healthcare (1.35 per cent), Telecommunication (1.33 per cent), Realty (1.30 per cent), Services (1.17 per cent) and Consumer Discretionary (1.04 per cent).
“Indian markets extended their weakness for a third consecutive session, closing on a cautious and lower note as subdued global cues, weak earnings sentiment from IT majors, rising crude oil prices, inflation concerns, and currency pressure weighed on overall sentiment, keeping investors largely on the sidelines despite selective stock-specific buying interest,” Gaurav Garg, Analyst, Lemonn Markets Desk, said.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 2.17 per cent higher at USD 107.3 per barrel.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 3,254.71 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data.
“IT stocks led the decline following disappointing quarterly earnings, while selling pressure was broad-based across sectors. FIIs returned to net selling again after a brief spell of inflows,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.
In Asian markets, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index ended lower, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng settled higher.
Markets in Europe were trading lower in afternoon trade.
US markets ended lower on Thursday.
“Markets are likely to consolidate in the near term, with sentiment staying cautious as investors continue to monitor developments in the West Asia conflict. The ongoing uncertainty around US-Iran negotiations, coupled with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, is keeping crude oil prices elevated and risk appetite subdued.
“The lack of meaningful progress on the geopolitical front is expected to keep pressure on energy prices, rupee and equity markets,” Siddhartha Khemka – Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, said.
On Thursday, the Sensex tumbled 852.49 points or 1.09 per cent to settle at 77,664. The Nifty dropped 205.05 points or 0.84 per cent to end at 24,173.05. (PTI)
WASHINGTON, Apr 24 : The RSS is not an Indian version of the Ku Klux Klan, the American white supremacist group, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said here, highlighting the organisation’s work across different spheres of society.
Speaking at an interactive session at the New India Conference organised by the Hudson Institute, Hosabale said there are misconceptions about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) similar to misunderstandings about India in the US.
“The narrative that has been built for decades, knowingly or unknowingly as part of an agenda or otherwise, is that RSS is a Hindu supremacist organisation or that it is anti-Christian, anti-minority, anti-development and anti-modernisation,” he said during a discussion with author Walter Russell Mead on Thursday.
“So what is pro is not highlighted; instead, the anti has always been propagated… some Indian version of the Ku Klux Klan, which we are not,” Hosabale said.
He said Hindu philosophy and culture view the whole world as one family and do not endorse supremacy.
“We see oneness in everything, living and non-living. When that is the basic philosophy of Hindus, the question of a supremacist nature does not arise. Also, in history, Hindus have never invaded any country,” the RSS chief said.
Hosabale described RSS as a volunteer-driven movement rooted in India’s cultural and civilisational ethos.
“RSS is a people’s voluntary movement inspired by cultural ethos and civilisation values of the ancient society of India, which is generally known as Hindu culture.
“To create volunteers with character, self-confidence, a sense of service to the community and for organising the society, the RSS organises daily assemblies and weekly assemblies for one hour. Through these one-hour gatherings, called shakhas, we inculcate values of life,” he said.
Hosabale said that the RSS views Hindu identity as a civilisational, not religious, identity.
“Tensions with minority groups and neighbouring countries stem from political interests and wrong interpretations of history,” he said, adding that ongoing dialogue with minority communities was key to resolving misunderstandings.
Hosabale said tensions between neighbouring countries were because of various factors, including the political leadership there.
“The problem is only with one neighbouring country, which was born out of the Indian womb. It has become a neighbouring country, but many people are behind that country to create problems,” he said.
The Indian American diaspora also held a public reception in honour of Hosabale on Thursday evening in a Virginia suburb, which saw a good turnout from people in the greater Washington region.
Hosabale said the RSS holds about 83,000 shakhas (daily meetings) to instil a sense of service and inculcate life values aimed at promoting social harmony.
“People from every walk of life and all age groups have become volunteers of our organisation. RSS undertakes relief work during natural calamities and is also active in areas such as education, health, self-defence, rural development and environmental issues,” he said.
The RSS leader said cultural values and modernisation are not necessarily contradictory and can coexist, though some tensions may arise.
“Both modernisation and cultural values require adaptation according to the times. While modernisation brings industrialisation, technology and individualistic trends, it can function alongside culture and cultural values,” Hosabale said.
He added that the coexistence of culture and modernity has been visible in several societies in recent decades.
“Whether it is Hindu society, Indian society, Japan or China, all have modernised while keeping their cultural and civilisational values intact and drawing inspiration from them. That is why I don’t think cultural values and modernisation pull in opposite directions,” Hosabale said. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, Apr 24 : India chaired the meeting of BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa — BRICS MENA — on April 23-24 in Delhi, during which the participants expressed “deep concern” on the situation in the Middle East and also discussed the Palestine issue and the Gaza situation, the MEA said on Friday.
They had a constructive exchange of views on the current regional developments, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) met in New Delhi on Friday, and exchanged views on the current situation in the region, it said in a statement.
“Members expressed deep concern on the recent conflict in the Middle East and offered views and assessments on the matter,” it said.
The discussions covered the “Palestine issue and the Gaza situation, including provision of humanitarian aid, the role of UNRWA, zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, welcoming the ceasefire in Lebanon, the unacceptability of attacks on UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon), post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation in Syria, political settlement in Yemen, stability and development in Iraq, political process in Libya, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan,” the MEA said.
UNRWA stands for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East.
They agreed to meet again under China’s Chairship in 2027, it said.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X said that MEA’s Secretary (South) chaired the meeting, and he also shared some photos of the key meet held at Bharat Mandapam.
“Secretary (South) Dr. Neena Malhotra chaired the meeting of BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (BRICS MENA) on 23-24 April 2026 in New Delhi. The participants had constructive exchange of views on the current regional developments,” he said. (PTI)
JERUSALEM, Apr 24: Some 250 Jews from north-east India have landed in Israel as part of an initiative announced by the government here last year to bring all remaining members of the community to the Jewish state.
It is the first batch of Bnei Menashe to arrive in Israel, on Thursday, since the announcement in November last year to fund the immigration of thousands more community members waiting to immigrate to Israel over the next five years.
The Bnei Menashe community, which lives in parts of Manipur and Mizoram, claims descent from the biblical tribe of Manasseh, and has been slowly making its way to Israel since the 1990s.
About 4,000 community members have reportedly immigrated to Israel over the past three decades with approximately 6,000 more waiting.
On Thursday evening, as the men among the newcomers walked down a red carpet wearing traditional hand knitted kippa (skull cap) and the women had their customary head coverings, the community members already living in Israel welcomed them with loud cheering at the airport.
The Israel government plans to fly 1,200 more people from the community over the course of 2026 as part of the “Operation Wings of Dawn.”
Two additional flights are scheduled in the next two weeks, according to the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, which provides assistance to immigrants and returning residents, establishes policies and procedures, allocates budget aid to immigrants and provides specialized services in housing, employment and culture.
The whole relocation plan is estimated to require a budget of 90 million shekels (USD 30 million) to cover the costs of the flights of these immigrants, their conversion classes, housing, Hebrew lessons, and other special benefits, the ministry said.
The process is being managed by The Jewish Agency in coordination with the Chief Rabbinate, the Conversion Authority, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Population and Immigration Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and additional Israeli government ministries.
There have been intense debates around the Jewishness of Bnei Menashe in the past, but in 2005, the then Chief Rabbi of the Sephardi community, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, recognised them as “descendants of Israel,” paving the way for their immigration.
The community claims it belongs to the Menashe tribe, one of the 10 tribes pushed into exile by the Assyrians some 2,700 years ago.
The oral history of the Bnei Menashe tells of a centuries-long exodus through Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet and China, all the while adhering to certain Jewish religious practices, such as circumcision.
Missionaries in India converted them to Christianity, and they will have to undergo a conversion process to become Israeli citizens, as per the Jewish agency. (PTI)
KOLKATA, Apr 24: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday accused the Trinamool Congress of allowing a suspended party leader to build a mosque modelled on the Babri Masjid of Ayodhya in West Bengal, and asserted that the BJP would not allow its construction as long as one party worker is alive in the state.
Addressing back-to-back poll rallies, Shah also asserted that after the BJP comes to power in the state, those involved in cattle smuggling will be dealt so severely that their next three generations would not dare to engage in this.
He also mounted a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, alleging failure on governance, law and order and employment fronts, and said the upcoming assembly election is crucial for making Bengal free from terror, riots and infiltrators.
“For the last 550 years, first the Mughals, then the British, the Congress and Mamata didi resisted Ram Mandir (construction). And in 2019, after you voted for Modi and made him the PM, the temple was made,” Shah told the gathering at Uttarpara in Hooghly district.
The BJP leader hit out at Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, alleging that a former party MLA, Humayun Kabir, was allowed to initiate construction of a mosque modelled on the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district.
Kabir, after being suspended from the Trinamool Congress, has formed a new outfit, Aam Janata Unnayan Party, which is contesting several seats in the assembly elections.
“Now, Mamata didi wants to construct a Babri Masjid with her aide Humayun Kabir. Didi, remember that till one BJP worker is alive in Bengal, we will not allow construction of Babri Masjid here,” Shah said.
The infiltrators who are taking away jobs and rations of the poor will be identified and jailed after May 5, he said, expressing confidence in the BJP’s victory in the state.
The Assembly poll results will be announced on May 4.
The BJP leader claimed that after a change in government, women would be able to move freely even at night without fear, and assured the people that all closed industries in the state would be reopened to generate employment.
Earlier, at another rally in Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas district, Shah asserted that those involved in cattle smuggling and political violence would face strict action if the BJP came to power.
“If cattle smugglers attempt such a crime after May 5, they will spend their entire lives in jail. Those involved in cattle smuggling will be punished so severely that their three generations will not dare to engage in it,” he said.
Shah said that those accused of attacking BJP workers would also be jailed after the party forms the government in the state.
Targeting the ruling dispensation, he claimed that “cut money” and what he termed as “bhaipo (nephew) tax” would come to an end after the change of government, alluding to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of the chief minister.
The Union minister announced that the BJP would provide Rs 5 lakh free healthcare cover to the poor if voted to power.
He also claimed that the TMC government had encouraged infiltration for electoral gains.
Shah told the crowd that the record voter turnout of nearly 93 per cent during the first phase of polling in Bengal on Thursday indicated the end of the TMC government.
“I tell you that Didi and her party will be whitewashed. In Bengal, BJP will form the next government,” Shah said.
He asked whether the people of Hingalganj, which falls under the Sunderbans, have received funds out of the Rs 1,000 crore which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent to West Bengal after cyclone Amphan in 2020.
“The entire money has been siphoned by TMC goons and the people of syndicates. We assure you that once the BJP is in power, we will seize every paisa from them and return it to the people,” he said.
“Once in power, the BJP will open files of those who tortured mothers and sisters of Sandeshkhali and put them in jail,” he said.
Shah also cautioned the “TMC’s goons”, asking them to stay indoors during the second phase of polling on April 29.
“If they are out, then after May 5, they will be hung upside down as steps to reform them,” the Union minister said.
He also urged people to vote without fear, as a large number of central forces were deployed by the Election Commission.
Shah alleged that the TMC failed to keep its promises for development and was involved in corruption.
“The corrupt leaders of Mamata didi have eaten up Rs 200 crore in exchange of providing jobs to 26,000 youths. We will seize the money from them and give it to the people,” he said.
Shah also promised railway connectivity between Hashnabad and Samserganj immediately after coming to power in Bengal.
“BJP has given tickets to the mother of the RG Kar hospital (rape-murder) victim and the woman who put up a brave face against the atrocities in Sandeshkhali. By sending them to the assembly, we will start our drive to end goondaraj in Bengal,” he said.
Shah said the upcoming election was crucial to “make Bengal free of terror, riots and infiltrators.”
Assuring economic revival, the Union Home Minister said all closed industries in the state would be reopened once the BJP comes to power, creating new employment opportunities.
Later in the evening, Shah led a colourful roadshow at Jagatdal in North 24 Parganas district. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, Apr 24 : Noida International Airport on Friday announced the appointment of its Chief Financial Officer Nitu Sarma as the interim Chief Executive Officer.
“This change follows directions issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) that the Chief Executive Officer of an airport in India is required to be an Indian national,” a statement said.
Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national who led Noida International Airport as its CEO since August 2020, will join the airport’s Board of Directors as Executive Vice Chairman.
“With immediate effect, Nitu Samra has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis, until the Board of Directors can conclude a formal selection process,” the statement issued by Noida International Airport said.
Sarma has been serving as Chief Financial Officer of the airport since October 2021.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport last month. (PTI)
LONDON, Apr 24 : The names of 33,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the First World War but missing from a memorial in Iraq have finally been commemorated in digital form.
Iraq, then Mesopotamia, had been the scene of the British Empire’s largest operations outside of Europe in the early 20th century.
The Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC), a charity with a remit of commemorating all Commonwealth servicemen and women who died during the two World Wars, have introduced new digital name panels for the Basra Memorial in Iraq to ensure the missing names can be included.
Launched earlier this month, the digital memorial includes the names of Indian soldiers brought together for the first time alongside over 46,000 Commonwealth service personnel.
“The Mesopotamia Campaign was one of the toughest campaigns in the First World War with Indian soldiers dying in the tens of thousands; yet their names were never added on the Basra memorial,” said Shrabani Basu, CWGC Global Advisory Panel member.
“It is wonderful to see the new digital panels and to finally see the 33,000 Indian names displayed as they always should have been complete with ranks and regiments. A historical wrong is being righted. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Basu, the author of ‘For King and Another Country: Indian Soldiers on the Western Front 1914-18’.
A significant physical update to the memorial was difficult as Iraq is not considered safe for travel and operational work at present. A digital option was chosen as an alternative until the site can be properly assessed and all the names can be properly commemorated.
“The launch of these panels marks an important moment for the Commission and the commemoration of the Indian Army’s dead of the Mesopotamia Campaign,” said Dr George Hay, CWGC Official Historian.
“For the first time, the names of these men will be displayed as they should have been nearly a century ago, restoring to them the honour they deserve. This takes us a step closer to fully reversing this historical inequality while also helping people around the world engage with these casualties and their stories,” he said.
Many Indian casualties of the First World War were historically commemorated numerically or through memorial registers, rather than by name.
This is one of the several known inequalities in commemoration that CWGC said it is working hard to address. The Basra Memorial in Iraq was seen as a key example of such unequal commemoration and past omission that the charity set out to reverse.
“Digital memorials will never replace our physical sites. They are designed to complement them and allow us to raise awareness of our cemeteries and memorials worldwide,” CWGC said.
“Digital tools such as this help more people discover and share the stories of over 1.7 million Commonwealth service personnel who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. They also provide a connection when people cannot visit in person,” it stated. (PTI)
