NEW DELHI, Apr 29 : An Air India pilot, who was on scheduled rest, died in Bali after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday.
The first officer, who was nearly 40 years old, had operated a flight from Delhi to Bali on Tuesday, according to an airline official.
In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said the first officer was on scheduled crew rest in Bali when he complained of severe discomfort at his hotel.
“He was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with having suffered a heart attack. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he could not be saved,” the spokesperson said.
Air India is deeply saddened by the passing of one of its cockpit crew members in Bali, the spokesperson added.
Further details could not be immediately ascertained.
The airline official said the pilot had completed all mandatory medical examinations in accordance with regulatory requirements only a few months ago.
There was no known pre-existing medical condition, the official said and added that the pilot had been operating well within the flying-hours limitations prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). (PTI)
*Lubaib, Shahid, Ruhaan, Fayiz, Mujtaba, Prabdeep shine
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: Teamwork guided clinical Jammu and Kashmir to the quarterfinals of the 69th National School Games U-17 Boys Cricket Tournament, organised by the Government of Telangana under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) at Mahbubnagar, Telangana, today.
Jammu and Kashmir convincingly defeated IBSSO in their last league match and KVS in the pre-quarterfinals. In the pre-quarterfinals, batting first, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) scored a decent total of 110 in the stipulated 15 overs. Param played a brilliant innings of 54 runs.
Mujtaba Muzamil and Prabdeep took 3 wickets each for J&K, while Rafid and Fayiz claimed 2 wickets each. In reply, J&K chased the target in 10.4 overs by losing 3 wickets, winning by 7 wickets. Lubaib top-scored with a magnificent 79 runs, studded with 7 fours and 6 sixes, while Ruhaan Kalra anchored the innings with an unbeaten 14 runs and Rafid contributed an unbeaten 14 with 2 massive sixes. Yogesh, Mahitesh and Ikraz claimed one wicket each for KVS.
Earlier, in the last league match, electing to bat first against the International Board School Sports Organisation (IBSSO), J&K posted a formidable 193/5 in 15 overs. Devastating middle-order batter Shahid Bashir blazed 56 off 26 balls, while stylish Ruhaan Kalra anchored with an unbeaten 35 off 23 balls. Explosive opener Karanveer Sharma contributed 40 off 19 balls, with Pradeep Singh adding 12. Musaib (6) and Lubaib (0) fell cheaply.
For IBSSO, Rajveer took 2 wickets, while Udhay and Vihaan claimed one wicket each. Chasing 194, IBSSO were bowled out for 102, handing J&K a 91-run victory. Kabir fought with an unbeaten 54, supported by Jhaan’s 18. Rafid and Karanveer took one wicket each.
In the earlier league clash, rain forced a shared points outcome with Uttarakhand after play was halted in the 13th over of the second innings. J&K had set 100 runs in 15 overs, powered by Lubaib’s 34 and Musaib’s 23. Uttarakhand were 66/9 when rain stopped play, with Fayiz Fayaz starring with a five-wicket haul. J&K team is being accompanied by Manager Jagtar Singh and Coach Satpal Singh Manhas.
MOSCOW, Apr 29 : Russia’s traditional parade marking the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II will take place without military equipment, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement late Tuesday.
It will be the first time since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that no military equipment will rumble through Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, the day Russia celebrates its most important secular holiday and showcases its military might.
The ministry statement cited the “current operational situation” as a reason for excluding a military equipment convoy, as well as cadets, from the parade. The statement didn’t elaborate.
The parade will feature “servicemen from higher military educational institutions of all kinds and certain service branches of the Russian Armed Forces” and a traditional military aircraft flyover, the ministry said.
World War II is a rare event in the nation’s divisive history under Communist rule that is revered by all political groups, and the Kremlin has used that sentiment to encourage national pride and underline Russia’s position as a global power.
The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in what it calls the Great Patriotic War in 1941-45, an enormous sacrifice that left a deep scar in the national psyche.
President Vladimir Putin, who has ruled Russia for over 25 years, has turned Victory Day into a key pillar of his tenure and has tried to use it to justify the war in Ukraine.
Last year’s parade was the largest since Russia sent troops into Ukraine, and drew the most global leaders to Moscow in a decade, including high-profile guests like Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico.
It featured over 11,500 troops and more than 180 military vehicles, including tanks, armoured infantry vehicles and artillery used on the battlefield in Ukraine, as well as huge Yars nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles launchers and drones carried on military trucks. Fighter jets flew over Red Square, too.
Putin had declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting May 7, and the authorities blocked cellphone internet in Moscow for several days in an effort to avert Ukrainian drone attacks.
In 2023, the parade was scaled down, with fewer troops and military equipment on display and no flyover. (AP)
‘Illegal mining direct assault on ecological balance’
*Writ powers can’t be used to defeat statutory mandates
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 29: In a significant judgment spanning legal, constitutional and environmental dimensions, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has held that mere ownership of land and long standing practice don’t create any vested right to extract minerals and no such extraction can be undertaken without a valid statutory permission. Further, the State action restraining such activities is legally justified and does not infringe the fundamental right to carry on livelihood.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal in a petition filed by the inhabitants of village Pariswani in Baramulla district, who had submitted that proprietary rights over the land, which has subsequently converted into Nallah due to floods, together with the past practice of extraction of minor minerals confer upon them a vested, continuing and enforceable right to carry on such activity.
After hearing both sides, the High Court framed four critical issues— whether ownership or past practice creates a right to extract minerals; whether mining can be carried out without statutory permission; whether restrictions violate Article 19(1)(g) and whether the court can direct authorities to allow extraction or accept royalty.
“Minerals do not constitute part of the attributes of proprietary rights in land and the right to extract the same cannot be claimed as an incident of ownership of the land. Mere ownership does not ipso facto confer any right to extract or exploit the minerals beneath”, the High Court said, adding “the right to undertake such activity is not inherent but is subject to a comprehensive statutory regime enacted in public interest, keeping in view the need for regulated and scientific exploitation of natural resources”.
Declaring the petitioners’ argument as fundamentally misconceived, the High Court observed, “minerals are regarded as national assets and natural resources, the regulation and exploitation whereof is controlled by the State in trust for the people”, adding “extraction of minerals is subject to statutory regulation under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Rules framed there-under”.
“The plea of the petitioners that their proprietary land has now become part of a Nallah also does not advance their case. Once the land assumes the character of a natural watercourse or Nallah, it acquires public significance beyond private ownership. Such natural resources are subject to environmental regulation and public trust obligations”, the High Court further said.
Invoking constitutional principles, the High Court emphasized: “Natural resources such as minerals, rivers, forests and Nallahs are not private commodities but collective assets belonging to the people. The State holds them only as a trustee and is under a legal and moral obligation to protect, preserve and regulate their use in public interest and for future generations. Mere long-standing extraction or payment of royalty cannot create an enforceable right to exploit such resources, particularly where environmental balance and ecological sustainability are at stake”.
On the legality of extraction, the High Court held that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 imposes an absolute prohibition. It observed that no person shall undertake mining operations except under a mineral concession and no person shall transport or store any mineral otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
The High Court stressed that the language in Section 4 is mandatory and leaves no scope for any exception based on personal hardship, local practice proprietary rights or livelihood concerns. “In the absence of any valid mineral concession their act cannot be sustained in the eyes of law. Such conduct clearly falls within the ambit of illegal mining”, Justice Nargal said.
The High Court also highlighted environmental concerns in strong terms and said, “minor minerals are not minor in their environmental consequences, their impact is often grave and far reaching”. The Supreme Court has rightly emphasized that such activities cannot be left to unchecked private exploitation and must operate only within a strict statutory and environmental framework, the High Court added.
Rejecting the plea under Article 19(1)(g), the High Court held, “undoubtedly this Article guarantees to every citizen the right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business. However, such right is not absolute”.
“Article 19(6) expressly permits the State to impose reasonable restrictions in the interest of the general public. Activities involving exploitation of natural resources, particularly mining operations, fall squarely within the sphere of regulated trade and are subject to strict statutory control”, the High Court said, adding “mining is not an ordinary commercial activity. It directly impacts environment, ecology, groundwater, river systems, biodiversity and public revenue”.
On State action, the High Court held that the respondents have merely enforced the statutory provisions and prevented unauthorized mining. “The seizure of vehicles and imposition of penalties are measures contemplated under law”, it added.
On whether it could grant relief, the High Court categorically refused and said, “a writ of mandamus cannot be issued to compel an authority to act contrary to law, ignore statutory provisions or bypass mandatory legal requirements”.
“The petitioners’ prayer for acceptance of royalty is equally misconceived. Acceptance of royalty is not an independent right. Royalty is merely a statutory consequence flowing from a valid grant of mining permission. It cannot precede or replace the legal requirement of obtaining a concession”, Justice Nargal said.
The High Court gave significant weight to environmental protection, observing: “A Nallah is not merely a source of sand and stones, it is a living ecological asset and integral component of environmental balance. Unregulated mining from a Nullah results in deepening of the riverbed, destabilization of banks, erosion of adjoining land and ultimately increases the risk of floods and landslides”.
Concluding the case, the High Court held that the petitioners have failed to establish any enforceable legal or fundamental right. Accordingly, the writ petition was dismissed as misconceived and without any legal basis.
HYDERABAD, Apr 29 : Telangana Endowments Minister Konda Surekha on Wednesday announced that the Saraswati Antya Pushkarams will be held with grandeur at Kaleshwaram from May 21 to June 1.
The minister unveiled the official poster and teaser at the Secretariat, along with IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu.
She said 162 development works worth Rs 30.63 crore have been taken up to facilitate the event, with arrangements being made to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for devotees.
An estimated 30 lakh pilgrims are expected to attend the 12-day event. Surekha directed officials to ensure coordination across departments so that devotees can perform the holy dip and have darshan in a peaceful atmosphere.
Sridhar Babu stressed that all arrangements should be completed at least 10 days in advance and called for close coordination among departments, including police, to avoid traffic issues. He also thanked Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for allocating Rs 198 crore for the redevelopment of the Kaleshwaram temple complex.i
Endowments Principal Secretary Sailaja Ramaiyer said the inaugural holy dip will be performed at 5:43 AM on May 21 by Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi (Head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham).
She added that spiritual leaders will perform daily rituals, while a grand Harathi will be conducted every evening at 6:30 PM at the Triveni Sangamam.
Officials from various departments attended the programme.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: Commissioner Secretary, Cooperative Department,. Yasha Mudgal, today chaired a meeting to review progress on the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) under Phase-II across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by the Special Secretary, Cooperative Department, FA/CAO Cooperative Department, Joint Registrar (Audit), Deputy Registrars of the Cooperative Department and other senior officers of the Department.
During the meeting, the Commissioner Secretary was informed that the Union Ministry of Cooperation, has approved 171 PACS for coverage under this phase in J&K. It was further highlighted that while 8 out of 20 districts have successfully completed the identification and approval process through their respective District Level Implementation and Monitoring Committees (DLIMCs), progress remains pending in the remaining districts.
Yasha Mudgal reiterated that PACS, being grassroots-level cooperative institutions, play a pivotal role in providing credit and essential services to farmers and rural populations. She emphasized that the computerization initiative, envisioned by the Government of India, aims to strengthen these societies through digital enablement, ensuring greater transparency and modernized service delivery.
Taking serious notice of the slow progress in the remaining districts, the Commissioner/Secretary issued a stern directive to all the Deputy Registrars of the lagging districts. She ordered the immediate expedition of the approval process and set a hard deadline of May 5, 2026, for completion of all DLIMC approvals, making it clear that timely completion of formalities is non-negotiable for the onboarding and digitization of these societies.
The Commissioner Secretary underscored that the success of this centrally sponsored initiative depends on accountability and proactive follow-up at the district level. She called for rigorous monitoring to ensure that the structural benefits of the scheme, primarily improved efficiency and transparency, reach the rural communities within the stipulated timelines.
Participants posing along with dignitaries during a programme.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: The Department of English, Central University of Jammu, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain, organized a literary event titled “Commemorating the Writers’ Series: On William Shakespeare.”
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Dean Prof. Vandana Sharma and Head of the Department Dr. K Rajesh, along with faculty members. Students of B.A. and M.A., along with research scholars, actively participated in the event.
A major highlight of the programme was a vibrant dramatic presentation by the students. The first segment featured iconic scenes from the plays of William Shakespeare, showcasing their theatrical skills and understanding of classical literature.
The second segment presented a comparative study of “Abhijnanasakuntalam” by Kalidasa and “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare, offering insights into Eastern and Western perspectives on love and their cultural nuances. The performances reflected creativity, critical thinking and the spirit of performative learning.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation and was well received by the audience. In their remarks, Prof. Vandana Sharma and Dr. K Rajesh appreciated the students’ efforts and emphasized the enduring relevance of classical literature. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the convener, Dr Neena Gupta Vij.
Lal Chowk Srinagar witnesses drizzle on Wednesday. —Excelsior/Shakeel
Heli-service to Mata Vaishnodevi hit
*Jammu’s temp falls 7 deg below normal
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Apr 29: Heavy to moderate rain in many parts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and light snowfall on the higher reaches, led to significant drop in the temperatures in the region while helicopter service to Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine from the base camp Katra, remained suspended almost throughout the day due to bad weather today.
Official sources said that with the snowfall on the higher reaches, a few passes including Sinthan Top on the Kishtwar-Kukernag-Anantnag highway was closed while traffic on Mughal Road continued slowly despite light snowfall on the Peer Ki Gali. Higher Reaches of Gulmarg and Sonamarg-Zojila axis also received fresh snowfall, but the traffic movement continued, the sources said.
Entire Chenab region including Bhaderwah, Paddar-Gulabgarh, Chatroo, Gandoh-Bhalessa, Batote, Banihal, Gool and Ramban belt; Katra, Mahore and Reasi besides Dudu-Basatgarh-Latti, Chenani-Kud- Patnitop in Udhampur and Bani-Duggan and Machedi areas of Kathua received heavy to moderate rain while other plain and semi-hilly areas of these districts experienced light rain. Rajouri and Poonch belt also received light rain during the day today.
A few areas of Jammu district received light rainfall while clouds kept hovering over the skies of the winter capital city during the day. The Jammuites experienced hardly an-hour’s drizzle during morning hours.
With rain in the region and snowfall on the higher reaches of Pir Panjal mountains, a significant drop in the temperate has been witnessed.
A MeT official said that a sharp decline in the Jammu’s temperature has been observed as the Temple City that experienced a day temperature of above 40 degrees Celsius hardly 3-4 days ago, today recorded the maximum temperature of 28.5 deg C, about 7.2 degrees below normal. The night temperature in the City, however, remained 20.6 deg C on Wednesday.
Katra town experienced a maximum temperature of 23 Deg C and minimum 18.2; Bhaderwah a day temperature of 14.2 and night 9.0 deg C; Batote a maximum temperature of 13.1 deg C, about 11.6 deg below normal and minimum 12.6 while Banihal town registered a day temperature of 13.9 deg C, 11 degrees below normal.
Srinagar city and many parts of the valley also experienced light rain during the day. A drop in the temperature has been witnessed in the entire Valley. Srinagar recorded a day temperature of 16.7 deg C, Gulmarg 12.0, Pahalgam 12.6 and Kukernag 13.2 deg C today.
The weatherman said that on April 30, the weather will partly remain cloudy with brief spell of light rain/ thunder at few places towards late afternoon. On May 1-2, it will generally remain dry with brief showers in the evening.
From May 3 to 5, the weather will generally remain cloudy with one or two spells of light rain/ thunder shower at scattered to many places, towards afternoon/evening hours in the region.
Reports said that helicopter service to Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine from base camp Katra remained suspended due to rain and bad weather. The service was resumed briefly during afternoon but it was again suspended due to clouds and bad weather. This disrupted the by-air pilgrimage, however, the on-foot yatra continued despite rain.
WASHINGTON, April 29 : President Donald Trump said that King Charles III “agrees” with his position that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
The remarks, however, sit awkwardly with the constitutional role of the British monarch, who is expected to remain politically neutral and does not publicly comment on government policy or international conflicts.
“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now, as you might know, and we’re doing very well. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever, Charles agrees with me even more than I do, we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said on Tuesday while speaking on Middle East policy.
However, the British monarch is constitutionally expected to remain politically neutral and does not comment on government policy or international conflicts. Under long-standing constitutional convention in the United Kingdom, the King does not express partisan positions or intervene in political affairs.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has clearly stated that Iran war is not Uk’s war and is not in favour of getting involcved in the conflict. “This is not our war,” he said earlier this month. “We will not be drawn into the conflict.”
Starmer has also held international discussions aimed at diplomatic efforts, including attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for global trade. He has previously said that Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, urging Tehran to “abandon its aspiration to develop a nuclear weapon and cease its destabilising activities across the Middle East,” adding that this remains the position of successive British governments.
Earlier this week, King Charles delivered a historic address to a joint meeting of the US Congress, emphasizing shared values between the United States and the United Kingdom and calling for stronger international cooperation during a period of heightened global tensions.
His visit was widely seen as an effort to ease rising diplomatic strains between the two allies.
Trump has suggested the possibility of withdrawing the United States from NATO following disagreements with some allies over the handling of the Iran conflict, a move that would require congressional approval and is expected to face significant opposition.
Moreover, King Charles III delivered a light-hearted rebuke to President Donald Trump during a White House state dinner on Tuesday, joking that without British influence, Americans might be speaking French.
In their formal toasts, the two leaders exchanged humorous remarks, with the King referencing Trump’s past comments about European allies. “You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” Charles said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Notably, Trump’s earlier statements at the Davos summit in January, where he said that without U.S. involvement in World War II, “you’d be speaking German and a little Japanese.”
The King’s joke played into historical references involving British and French colonial influence in North America, as well as the rivalry between the two powers before U.S. independence.
As per US media reports, Charles also touched on more contemporary subjects, noting “readjustments” to the White House East Wing, which Trump has reportedly redeveloped as part of a large new ballroom project. He then made a historical reference to the War of 1812, when British forces burned the White House.
“I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814,” the King said.
He also referenced the Boston Tea Party, joking that the state dinner was “a very considerable improvement” on the 1773 protest in which American colonists dumped British tea into the harbor.
The exchange highlighted a warm tone between the two leaders, reflecting the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, even as differences persist over global issues including the war in Iran.
BEGALURU, Apr 29: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the site of the Bengaluru hospital wall collapse, which claimed the lives of seven people on Wednesday and ordered an enquiry into the mishap.
The chief minister also announced Rs 5 lakh solatium to the kin of each of the deceased in the incident.
Seven people, including two children, were killed and seven others injured when the compound wall of a hospital collapsed here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed.
The injured people are out of danger, he added.
The incident occurred in the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital.
When the heavy rains, coupled with strong winds and hailstorms, battered the area, the seven victims were taking shelter near the wall, which suddenly came down crashing, he further said. All seven people were killed on the spot.
Police and emergency services personnel rushed to the spot with an earthmover to bring out the bodies and the injured from the debris with the help of other citizens. (PTI)
