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Flamingo habitats are facing decline due to poisoning of wetlands in Navi Mumbai. india news

Flamingo habitats facing decline due to poisoning of wetlands in Navi Mumbai

Climate activists have sounded a ‘wetland emergency’ as three key flamingo habitats in Navi Mumbai have turned toxic, with testing of water samples showing worrying results.Activists highlighted the deteriorating condition of the DPS, NRI and TS Chanakya lakes in Nerul, which serve as satellite wetlands for the Ramsar site, Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS).Flamingo season in Navi Mumbai is from November to May, with January to March considered the peak viewing time, as bird lovers and enthusiasts gather at the wetlands to catch a glimpse of the pink parade.In messages to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, activists said testing of water samples conducted by the NetConnect Foundation shows the system is under severe stress.BN Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, said the warning is reinforced by the absence of flamingos, which have not visited this season.Four basic indicators – TDS, pH, BOD and COD – present a consistent picture of degradation. The results showed hyper-concentrated, stagnant water instead of natural tidal flushing.“Simply put, all four indicators tell the same story – water is not moving the way it should in a healthy intertidal wetland,” Kumar said, pointing to blocked or restricted tidal flow.Instead of being regularly cleaned, wetlands are turning into stagnant, polluted basins.Activists directly blame the failure of governance.“The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is largely responsible for what happened,” said climate activist Nandkumar Pawar. He said regulators like the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority and the forest department have “simply looked the other way”.He warned that wetlands are a public asset which is being directly destroyed.Flamingos depend on algae and microorganisms that thrive in balanced conditions. As water quality deteriorates, the food chain collapses, turning pastures into stressed habitats.While flamingos have adapted to degraded sites in the past, their absence now suggests that the system has crossed a critical threshold.“These wetlands were our pride. Today, they are being destroyed in full view,” said Rekha Sankhla of the Save Flamingo and Mangroves Forum. He urged authorities to treat the situation as a public health emergency.Calling for accountability, Sandeep Sarin of Navi Mumbai Environment Protection Society (NMEPS) said the laboratory results highlight “poisoned waters” driven by uncontrolled development.“CIDCO’s indifference – pouring concrete on conservation – is destroying these wetlands despite court orders,” he said, warning that flamingos are “the canary in the coal mine of our ecosystem”. Activist Pamela Cheema said, “CIDCO’s willful neglect at a time of the climate crisis has put groundwater and biodiversity at risk, and we urge immediate government intervention to save these wetlands.”

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मिशन शक्ति 5.0 के तहत मुजफ्फरनगर में पिंक स्कूटी रैली निकाली गई: महिला सुरक्षा और जागरूकता को बल मिला

🚔 मिशन शक्ति 5.0 इसके तहत महिला सुरक्षा, सम्मान एवं सशक्तिकरण को बढ़ावा देने के उद्देश्य से जनपद मुजफ्फरनगर में पिंक स्कूटी रैली का आयोजन किया गया। यह जागरूकता रैली पुलिस लाइन से शुरू हुई संजय कुमार वर्मा हरी झंडी दिखाकर रवाना किया।

इस रैली का उद्देश्य महिलाओं और छात्राओं को उनके अधिकारों, सुरक्षा उपायों और सरकारी योजनाओं के बारे में जानकारी देना था, ताकि समाज में एक सुरक्षित और सकारात्मक माहौल बनाया जा सके।


पुलिस अधिकारियों की मौजूदगी में जागरूकता अभियान शुरू हुआ

👮👮👮👮 मिशन शक्ति 5.0 मुजफ्फरनगर के तहत आयोजित इस पिंक स्कूटी रैली में जिले के कई वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधिकारी शामिल हुए. इस मौके पर इंदु सिद्धार्थ, रूपाली राव, ऋषिका सिंह, देवव्रत वाजपेई, डॉ रविशंकर, रामाशीष यादव और उदल सिंह कई पुलिस अधिकारी व कर्मचारी मौजूद रहे।

अधिकारियों की सक्रिय भागीदारी ने इस अभियान को और अधिक प्रभावी बना दिया है।


महिलाओं एवं छात्राओं को उनके अधिकारों के प्रति जागरूक किया जा रहा है

📢 मिशन शक्ति 5.0 मुजफ्फरनगर इसके तहत रैलियों के माध्यम से विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में पहुंचकर महिलाओं और छात्राओं को उनके कानूनी अधिकारों और सुरक्षा संसाधनों के बारे में जानकारी दी जा रही है।

एसएसपी संजय कुमार वर्मा ने बताया कि इस अभियान का मुख्य उद्देश्य-

👉महिलाओं को आत्मनिर्भर बनाना
👉 सुरक्षा के प्रति जागरूकता पैदा करना
👉 समाज में सुरक्षित वातावरण का निर्माण करना
👉 छात्राओं में बढ़ रहा आत्मविश्वास

ताकि वे किसी भी परिस्थिति में बिना डरे आगे बढ़ सकें।


महिला हेल्प लाइन नंबरों की दी गई विस्तृत जानकारी

📞 मिशन शक्ति 5.0 मुजफ्फरनगर अभियान के दौरान रैली में शामिल पुलिस टीम ने महिलाओं को महत्वपूर्ण हेल्पलाइन नंबरों के बारे में जागरूक किया.

विशेष रूप से-

👉1090 महिला हेल्पलाइन
👉 112 आपातकालीन सेवा
👉181 महिला हेल्पलाइन

मसलन नंबरों की उपयोगिता और शिकायत दर्ज कराने की प्रक्रिया के बारे में विस्तार से जानकारी दी गयी.


साइबर अपराध और घरेलू हिंसा को रोकने के उपाय भी बताए गए।

💻 मिशन शक्ति 5.0 मुजफ्फरनगर अभियान के दौरान महिला पुलिसकर्मियों ने जगह-जगह रुककर छात्राओं व महिलाओं को साइबर अपराध, छेड़छाड़, घरेलू हिंसा व अन्य अपराधों से बचाव के तरीकों के बारे में जागरूक किया।

इस दौरान ये भी बताया गया-

👉ऑनलाइन धोखाधड़ी से कैसे बचें
👉 सोशल मीडिया का सुरक्षित उपयोग कैसे करें
👉शिकायत दर्ज करने की प्रक्रिया क्या है?
👉 तुरंत पुलिस सहायता कैसे प्राप्त करें

इस जानकारी से महिलाओं का सुरक्षा के प्रति विश्वास मजबूत हुआ।


जिले भर में जागरूकता कार्यक्रम लगातार चल रहे हैं

🌸 मिशन शक्ति 5.0 मुजफ्फरनगर इसके तहत पुलिस विभाग द्वारा समय-समय पर ऐसे जागरूकता कार्यक्रम आयोजित किये जा रहे हैं. इन अभियानों का उद्देश्य न केवल जानकारी प्रदान करना है बल्कि समाज में व्यवहारिक परिवर्तन लाना भी है।

पुलिस अधिकारियों का कहना है कि इस तरह की पहल से महिलाओं में सुरक्षा का भरोसा बढ़ता है और वे बेझिझक अपनी समस्याएं सामने रख पाती हैं.


सुरक्षित एवं सशक्त समाज की दिशा में महत्वपूर्ण कदम

👩‍🎓 मिशन शक्ति 5.0 मुजफ्फरनगर अभियान के माध्यम से महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित वातावरण बनाने की दिशा में प्रशासन एवं पुलिस विभाग लगातार प्रयास कर रहा है। इस प्रकार की रैलियां न केवल जागरूकता बढ़ाती हैं बल्कि समाज को एक सकारात्मक संदेश भी देती हैं।

महिलाओं की भागीदारी और पुलिस की सक्रिय मौजूदगी इस अभियान को जन आंदोलन का रूप दे रही है.


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IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan gets animated farewell as atmosphere heats up in SRH camp. cricket news

IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan gets animated farewell as atmosphere heats up in SRH camp
Ishaan Kishan and Zeeshan Ansari (X)

Stand-in Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Ishan Kishan Teammates found themselves at the center of a fiery moment on the field during a practice game on Saturday Zeeshan Ansari Gave him an animated farewell after getting him out.This incident came to light in the eighth over of the second innings. Kishan, who was looking in great touch early on, attacked the 26-year-old leg spinner and hit two sixes and two fours in the first four balls. However, the final decision was Ansari’s. He deceived the wicketkeeper-batsman with a full ball, leading to a mistimed shot which was caught safely at deep square leg.This was followed by an aggressive reaction from the bowler, who signaled Kishan to go back to the pavilion. However, the SRH captain decided to take it as a game and responded with a smile, reducing the tension.The moment comes as Kishan has been handed leadership responsibilities for the initial phase Indian Premier League 2026 season. The franchise named him interim captain Abhishek Sharma As his deputy, serving as regular captain pat cummins His recovery from a lower back stress injury continues.Cummins’ injury had already ruled him out of a significant portion of the recent Ashes in Australia and he was also sidelined during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Confirming the leadership change, SRH said that Cummins will miss a few matches, but did not clarify the exact duration of his absence.Kishan stepped into the role on the back of his stellar performance in the T20 World Cup, where he played a key role in India’s title-winning campaign. The left-handed batsman finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer with 317 runs in nine matches at an average of 193 and 35.22, which included three half-centuries.His performances have taken him to No. 2 in the ICC rankings for T20I batsmen, a chart currently topped by his SRH teammate Abhishek Sharma. Earlier in the domestic season, Kishan had led Jharkhand to their first title in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, underscoring his growing credentials as a leader.

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Who is Pastor Shawn Feucht? American missionary accused of misusing Indian visa for ‘secret religious propaganda’.

Who is Pastor Shawn Feucht? US missionary being accused of misusing Indian visa for 'clandestine preaching'

Former Bethel Church worship leader turned political and religious activist Shawn Feucht is currently at the center of a social media stir in India. Christian missionaries recently arrived in Bangalore to dedicate the Zion Center in March 2026, a three-storey facility that will house a church and community centre. She shared a video of Inauguration Day on March 21, where she can be seen attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony, wearing Indian attire, holding a Bible in one hand. “Zion Center is officially dedicated. We invited 2000 to our grand opening today and over 3500 attended! This dream of God is now a reality! We worshiped, prayed and anointed the doors with oil – now it’s time to feast!!” Feucht wrote in the post, which quickly went viral on Instagram. In a previous post, Feucht, founder of light a candle ministrydescribed his trip in explicitly missionary terms, describing the trip as a response to a “call” aimed at reaching India’s 2,000 ‘unreached’ people group, reaching 1.4 billion people who have ‘little or no access to the gospel’ and who have ‘never even once heard the name of Jesus’. In the video, he called on people to light up the nation, and said he has been coming to India for the last 10 years for this. He said, “India needs you, the nations need you, now is the time to shine your light, light a candle.” While some supporters hailed the initiative as a victory, local activists and legal advocates reported the video and information about the incident to authorities. On March 22, lawyer Girish Bhardwaj filed a formal complaint with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru. Critics argue that Feucht and his team entered the country on tourist visas, which explicitly prohibit preaching and proselytizing. A user onThe complaints have escalated an already polarized reaction online, with some calling for deportation and blacklisting, while others defended the event as a legitimate religious gathering. Back in the US, Feucht is no stranger to the spotlight. He began his career as a worship musician in the early 2000s, releasing independent Christian albums and leading live worship sessions. He embarked on his ministry career in 2007 and has led many initiatives for Christians over the years. He has also launched ‘Light a Candle’, a humanitarian agency that sponsors children and arranges short-term mission trips. He first came into the limelight when he joined a worship team at megachurch Bethel in Redding, California. Along with writing and singing puja music, he has also entered politics. In 2019 he was one of dozens of Christian leaders invited to the White House to pray with him donald trump As his first impeachment inquiry gained momentum in Washington. In 2020, he ran as the Republican candidate for California’s 3rd congressional district.However, what really propelled them to popularity was the Let Us Worship Tour in 2020, which they launched as a protest against lockdown rules preventing churches from meeting in person. Since then, he has been using a mix of politics and activism to continue his campaign efforts. The legal question in India hinges on one major unresolved detail: the type of visa used by Feucht to enter the country has not been publicly confirmed.Under Home Ministry rules, tourist visas are for recreational, sightseeing and casual visits, and do not allow other activities. Official guidelines also state that foreigners cannot, without proper permission, propagate religious ideologies, give speeches at religious places, distribute religious materials or engage in conversion-related outreach.Missionary visas are also subject to restrictions. Government guidance states that this is for missionary work that does not involve proselytization and requires specific approval and sponsorship.If officials determine that visa conditions have been violated, action may be taken under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The law provides for penalties including imprisonment of up to three years, fine up to Rs 3 lakh or both. Officials may revoke visas, order deportation, or impose future entry restrictions. Earlier in 2025, Nigerian evangelist Chris Oyakhilome was barred from a Christian leaders’ conference in Hyderabad by Indian immigration authorities over similar allegations of visa abuse. There has been no official confirmation yet of Feucht’s visa category or any enforcement action by authorities.

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चमोली: नकली हॉलमार्क लगाकर नकली आभूषण बेचने वाले गिरोह का भंडाफोड़, दो शातिर आरोपी गिरफ्तार

चमोली में पुलिस ने एक ऐसे गिरोह का पर्दाफाश किया है जो नकली आभूषणों पर नकली हॉलमार्क लगाकर उन्हें बेचता था. मामले में पुलिस ने दो आरोपियों को गिरफ्तार कर लिया है. आरोपियों के कब्जे से हॉलमार्किंग मशीन और अन्य उपकरण भी बरामद किए गए हैं.

बता दें कि 19 मार्च को लवली रावत पत्नी संदीप रावत निवासी ग्राम बंग (हाल निवासी दादो) ज्योतिर्मठ ने थाने में लिखित शिकायत दी थी। शिकायत में बताया गया कि जुलाई 2025 में उन्होंने अपर बाजार ज्योतिर्मठ स्थित आदा ज्वेलर्स के संचालक बंटी कुमार के पास अपनी नाक की अंगूठी और बाली 40 हजार रुपये में 2 हजार रुपये प्रतिमाह ब्याज पर गिरवी रखी थी.

नवंबर में 40 हजार रुपये लौटाने के बाद दिसंबर में उसने आभूषण वापस ले लिए। जब वह नाक की बालियां और झुमके पहनती थी, तो दूसरों को डर होता था कि वे नकली हैं। आभूषण की चमक और गुणवत्ता पर संदेह होने पर वादिनी ने बाजार में अन्य आभूषण विक्रेताओं को आभूषण दिखाया। जहां उन्हें पता चला कि नाक की नथ और बालियां नकली हैं। जिस पर बड़ी चालाकी से हॉलमार्क लगाया गया था.

कोटद्वार: आमपड़ाव क्षेत्र में डीजे बजाने से रोकने पर हंगामा, दो भाइयों ने पुलिस टीम पर किया हमला, एक गिरफ्तार

मामले की गंभीरता को देखते हुए कोतवाली ज्योतिर्मठ ने मामला दर्ज कर लिया। पूछताछ के दौरान आरोपी बंटी कुमार के पास से पीली धातु की दो नकली नाक की बाली और दो बाली बरामद कर सील कर दी गई। पुलिस ने आरोपी बंटी कुमार को हिरासत में लेकर गहन पूछताछ की. जिसमें अभियुक्त ने स्वीकार किया कि उसने वादिनी के असली सोने के आभूषणों के स्थान पर नकली आभूषण तैयार कराये और उन पर नकली हॉलमार्क लगाकर वादिनी को वापस कर दिये।

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WATCH: Pilot pays tribute from the sky to three Ohio guardsmen killed in refueling plane crash in Iraq

WATCH: Pilot pays tribute from the sky to three Ohio guardsmen killed in refueling plane crash in Iraq

An aviation enthusiast paid an emotional tribute to three members of the Ohio Air National Guard, days after they were among six service personnel killed in a refueling tanker crash in western Iraq.Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 shows a pilot paying a symbolic tribute in the sky on March 19, tracing the outline of a service member alongside three headstones honoring Ohio’s fallen guardsmen.According to US Central Command, Captain Seth Kowal, Captain Curtis Angst and Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons were part of the US government’s “Operation Epic Fury” on March 12 when the KC-135 aircraft crashed around 2 p.m. The military said the plane was lost while taking off over friendly airspace and the cause of the crash was being investigated.Also killed in the incident were Major John Alex Kleiner of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. of Covington, Washington. Savino; and Technical Sergeant Ashley B. of Bardstown, Kentucky. Pruitt. The Ohio National Guard and the 121st Air Refueling Wing later honored Kowal, Angst and Simmons, BBC News reports.In just 21 days of conflict, at least 16 military aircraft – 12 drones and four aircraft, including THAAD radar systems, an F-35 stealth fighter jet and even the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier – were hit, although not all incidents were caused by direct enemy fire.In early March, three F-15 fighter planes were shot down in an “apparently friendly fire incident” over Kuwait, officials said. All six crew members were able to eject safely. Boeing built the KC-135 Stratotanker for the US military in the 1950s and early 1960s.It has been the backbone of the US military’s aerial refueling fleet, and allows fighter aircraft to carry out long missions without the need to land.

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PM Modi to chair high-level meeting to review energy preparedness amid Middle East tension india news

PM Modi to chair high-level meeting to review energy preparedness amid Middle East tensions

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi He will chair a high-level meeting on Sunday evening to review India’s energy preparedness amid rising tensions in the Middle East, in which senior ministers will assess the situation in the petroleum, power and fertilizer sectors, PTI quoted sources as saying.The meeting will focus on ensuring uninterrupted supplies, stable logistics and efficient distribution across the country.

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PM Modi discusses West Asia crisis, safe shipping routes with Iranian President

Officials said continued monitoring of global developments remains a priority to protect consumer and industry interests amid the current crisis.On March 12, PM Modi had said that the war in West Asia has created a worldwide energy crisis, calling it a “crucial test of national character” that requires handling the situation with calmness, patience and greater public awareness.The Prime Minister had also stressed that the government is continuously working to address disruptions in international supply chains. “There are also ongoing efforts to determine how we can address supply chain disruptions,” he said.The conflict, now in its third week, began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 and has since escalated, with Iran retaliating against Israel and several Gulf neighbours.Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for energy supplies, has significantly restricted movement, with limited ships allowed to pass. The resulting blockade has disrupted energy supplies to many countries, including India.Since the conflict began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held telephone conversations with several global leaders, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, France, Malaysia, Israel and Iran.

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Supply shock: Middle East conflict disrupts shipments and raw material flows, CII signals stress on entire Indian industry

Supply shock: Middle East conflict disrupts shipments and raw material flows, CII signals stress on entire Indian industry

Highlighting growing tensions in sectors dependent on global trade flows, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Sunday said Indian companies are facing supply-chain disruptions ranging from shipment delays to shortages of key raw materials due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Companies are already seeing “downstream impacts” as the conflict has disrupted key sea routes and tightened supply conditions in global markets, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said in a statement, quoted by PTI.

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LPG tanker ‘Pyxis Pioneer’ arrives at New Mangalore Port with over 47,000 tonnes of fuel from US

“Indian companies are facing downstream impacts, ranging from shipment delays to disruptions in key energy inputs, as well as emerging shortages of essential raw materials and intermediates in many sectors that are heavily dependent on timely cross-border flows,” Banerjee said.The industry body said the disruptions have also put pressure on energy markets and trade, affecting both imports and exports and impacting manufacturing and allied industries.“The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted vital sea routes and put pressure on global supply chains, energy markets, and both imports and exports,” Banerjee said.Despite emerging challenges, CII said India is better placed than before to absorb external shocks. Banerjee said the country has entered this phase “from a position of strength”, supported by structural reforms and the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat effort, which has strengthened domestic resilience.The industry lobby described the government’s response as “prompt, calibrated and sustained”, citing measures such as diversification of crude oil sourcing, maximizing LPG production, export facilitation and currency stabilization.According to CII, Indian industry is adapting to the shocks by accelerating energy diversification, optimizing supply chains and protecting jobs.It also highlighted the importance of continued investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, biofuels and energy efficiency, calling them strategic imperatives to reduce vulnerability to geopolitical energy shocks.“While the situation remains challenging, we are confident that the government’s approach, coupled with partnership-driven engagement with all stakeholders, will help India weather this shock and maintain its forward economic momentum,” Banerjee said.CII said the challenge is important, but so is India’s ability to respond proactively and secure its economic interests.

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यूपी चुनाव से पहले अखिलेश यादव का बड़ा दांव… महिला मतदाताओं के लिए मूर्ति देवी-मालती देवी सम्मान का ऐलान

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: उत्तर प्रदेश में विधानसभा चुनाव भले ही अभी दूर हों, लेकिन राजनीतिक दलों ने अपनी तैयारियां तेज कर दी हैं. इसी क्रम में समाजवादी पार्टी प्रमुख अखिलेश यादव 22 मार्च को ‘मूर्ति देवी-मालती देवी महिला सम्मान’ लॉन्च करने जा रहे हैं. इस पहल को महिला मतदाताओं को आकर्षित करने की एक बड़ी रणनीति के रूप में देखा जा रहा है. कार्यक्रम के जरिए महिलाओं को सम्मानित किया जाएगा और कई अहम घोषणाएं भी की जा सकती हैं. लखनऊ स्थित पार्टी मुख्यालय में होने वाले इस कार्यक्रम पर सबकी निगाहें टिकी हैं.

परिवार और महान महिलाओं के नाम पर सम्मान
इस सम्मान योजना का नाम अखिलेश यादव की दादी मूर्ति देवी और मां मालती देवी के नाम पर रखा गया है. इसके तहत समाज की कई महान महिलाओं के नाम पर 20 अलग-अलग श्रेणियों में पुरस्कार दिए जाएंगे। इनमें फूलन देवी, सावित्रीबाई फुले, अहिल्याबाई होल्कर, बेगम अख्तर, महादेवी वर्मा, सरोजिनी नायडू, इस्मत चुगताई, उदा देवी और रानी लक्ष्मीबाई जैसी शख्सियतों के नाम शामिल हैं। प्रत्येक श्रेणी में चयनित महिलाओं को 1 लाख रुपये की पुरस्कार राशि दी जाएगी।

प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस में होंगे बड़े ऐलान
अखिलेश यादव सुबह 11 बजे लखनऊ स्थित पार्टी कार्यालय में प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस करेंगे. इस दौरान वह इस योजना के बारे में पूरी जानकारी साझा करेंगे. इसके अलावा महिलाओं के लिए अन्य योजनाओं और वादों की भी घोषणा की जा सकती है. इस कार्यक्रम को आगामी चुनाव से पहले महिला मतदाताओं को अपने पक्ष में लुभाने की कोशिश के तौर पर देखा जा रहा है.

चुनावी माहौल में सियासी हलचल बढ़ गई है
राज्य में राजनीतिक गतिविधियां तेजी से बढ़ रही हैं. एक तरफ जहां अखिलेश यादव नई-नई योजनाओं के जरिए अपनी पकड़ मजबूत करने में जुटे हैं तो वहीं दूसरी तरफ मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ भी चुनावी रणनीति तैयार कर रहे हैं. बताया जा रहा है कि योगी आदित्यनाथ लगातार आरएसएस पदाधिकारियों के साथ बैठक कर चुनाव के लिए रणनीति बना रहे हैं. ऐसे में आने वाले समय में उत्तर प्रदेश की सियासत और भी गरमाने वाली है.

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American tourist detained after being caught violating Bali’s most sacred rule on ‘Day of Silence’

US tourist detained after being caught violating Bali's most sacred rule on 'Day of Silence'
Karl Adolf Amrhein, 57, was taken into custody by local security on Thursday morning after he was seen walking down the main road in Sukawati village at around 7am during Bali’s annual Day of Silence./ Image: Instagram

karl adolf amrhein57, was found on a main road Sukawati Village March 19 at 7 am. When he was brought for questioning he initially pretended to be mute. An American tourist was detained by local security in Bali on Thursday morning after he was found wandering on the main road during Nyepi, the island’s annual day of silence, in which all outdoor activities are banned for a full 24 hours. Carl Adolf Amrhein, 57, was seen on the main road in Sukawati village at about 7 a.m. on March 19, during which the entire island is required to strictly monitor residents and visitors to stay indoors. Sukawati Police officials told local media that they had rescued a foreign national from the United States who was violating Nyepi regulations. They were later taken to a nearby villa and warned not to commit further violations.

What happened

When Amarhain was brought to the police station, officials said he initially pretended to be mute and repeatedly asked to be released. He eventually spoke to authorities and explained that he was looking for new accommodation after being asked to leave his hotel in Ubud. “He admitted that he was forced to leave his hotel in Ubud because his period of stay had expired,” a local police chief told reporters. He was later taken to a nearby villa where he was allowed to remain for the remainder of the ritual. This is not the first time that a foreign tourist has faced difficulties during Nyepi. In 2020, another American was chained by local authorities in Kuta after going for a run during the ritual. The man told locals that he “just wanted to go for a walk” and refused to return to his villa when asked.

What is Nyepi and what is it needed for?

Nyepi, which directly translates to “Keep quiet” One of Bali’s most important spiritual rituals is rooted in Balinese Hinduism, which is followed by about 87 percent of the island’s population. It marks the Balinese New Year according to the Saka calendar and usually falls between March and April according to the Gregorian calendar. This year, the ritual lasted from 6 am on March 19 to 6 am on March 20. The day is dedicated to contemplation, meditation and self-purification, a collective and individual reckoning with the past year, in which the island, according to tradition, enters the New Year with a clean slate. Nyepi occurs on the day after the dark moon of the spring equinox and falls on the third day of a sacred cycle lasting approximately six days, with the day of silence being the centerpiece. The day is governed by four strict principles: Amati Jini, the prohibition of fire, light and electricity; Amati Karya, prohibition of all work and occupation; Amati Lelungnan, travel ban; and Amati Lelanguan, prohibiting noisy celebrations or entertainment. These rules apply to everyone on the island without exception, residents, tourists and foreign nationals alike. During the 24-hour period, all businesses and restaurants are closed, roads are empty except for emergency vehicles, and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar has suspended all incoming and outgoing flights. Local guards, known as Pekalang, are deployed throughout the island to enforce the rules. Hospitals will remain open for emergencies.

​Local Pekalang Volunteer

Local Peklang volunteers patrol Bali during Nyepi, enforcing peace, enforcing travel restrictions, and keeping residents and tourists safe/(AntraNews)

Tourists staying in hotels and villas are required to stay at their property for the entire period. Hotels generally inform guests of the rules in advance, some offering quieter dining options or limited resort amenities, and others requiring guests to stay in their rooms entirely with food delivered. Visitors renting private villas are advised to ensure they have enough food and water for a full 24 hours before starting Nyepi.According to Balinese Hindu belief, silence is also thought to serve a protective function: the island’s absolute stillness is said to deceive evil spirits into believing it is deserted, and protects its inhabitants from harm as they enter the New Year.

Indonesia Hindu New Year

Men carry a giant effigy called “ogo-ogo”, which represents evil spirits that need to be cleansed, during a parade on the evening of “Napi” or Silent Day, which marks the Balinese Hindu new year, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Firdiya Lisnavati)

Nyepi falls on the third day of the sacred cycle lasting approximately six days. The evening before, known as Ogoh-Ogoh, parades are held throughout the island in which young people carry large demon statues through the streets, in a ritual intended to rid the island of negative energy before the silence begins.

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