New Delhi: Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday criticized the Centre’s decision to convene Parliament days before voting for the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.In a social media post, Chidambaram described the Centre’s proposal as “mischievous” and alleged that it was designed to exclude MPs from discussing and voting on important constitutional amendment bills.“The proposal to convene Parliament on April 16-18 is mischievous and should be opposed. Voting is to be held in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on April 23 (and April 29 in West Bengal),” the veteran leader said.“39 MPs from Tamil Nadu and 28 MPs from West Bengal are in the opposition in the Lok Sabha. They will be fully engaged in their constituencies during 16-18 April. If important Constitution amendment bills are brought up for discussion and voting on those dates, how will these 67 MPs in the Lok Sabha participate and vote? “I suspect the plan is to oust these MPs.”The budget session of Parliament will resume from April 16 to pass the bill to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816.The government is considering introducing at least two bills, including constitutional amendments, in the current session of Parliament to implement reservation of one-third seats for women in the next Lok Sabha elections and subsequent assembly elections.The move promises to change the country’s political landscape and put an official seal of approval on PM Modi’s much-touted agenda of women empowerment as the campaign for the four state assemblies gathers pace.If the government gets its way, the number of seats in the Lok Sabha will increase by 50% to 816 from the current 543, with an increase of 273 seats set aside for women, ensuring that existing political dynamics and outgoing MPs, the majority of whom are men, will not be set loose due to a new size order. According to this, the majority figure will reach 409.According to news agency PTI, both houses will reconvene for two or three days to consider the proposed law.Although the ruling NDA does not have the strength to get the bill passed on its own, the government seems keen to get it passed during the budget session ending on April 4.For the first time in five decades, the strength of the Lok Sabha will increase. There will be no impact on the strength of Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils in the states.

एक पिता के लिए अपनी 19 साल की बेटी की अर्थी को कंधा देने से बड़ा दुख इस दुनिया में कोई नहीं हो सकता। लेकिन, जरा सोचिए उस अभागे परिवार पर क्या गुजरी होगी, जब उन्हें अपने लाड़ले की चिता जलाने के लिए चार घंटे तक सिसकना पड़ा।

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: उत्तर प्रदेश के हाईटेक शहर नोएडा की सफाई व्यवस्था को लेकर एक बड़ा खुलासा हुआ है. स्मार्ट सिटी के दावों के बीच डोर-टू-डोर कूड़ा कलेक्शन में बड़ी लापरवाही और धांधली सामने आई है। नोएडा अथॉरिटी ने सख्त कार्रवाई करते हुए सफाई का काम संभाल रही एजी एनवायरो कंपनी पर 10.38 लाख रुपये का जुर्माना लगाया है. जांच में पता चला कि कई कूड़ा गाड़ियां सिर्फ कागजों पर चल रही हैं, जबकि जमीन पर उनका कोई अस्तित्व नहीं है। इस मामले ने शहर की सफाई व्यवस्था और करोड़ों के बजट पर गंभीर सवाल खड़े कर दिये हैं.

जांच में बड़ी अनियमितताएं सामने आईं
प्राधिकरण की जांच में पता चला कि 25 मार्च से 31 मार्च 2026 के बीच 157 कूड़ा संग्रहण वाहन और ई-रिक्शा अपने निर्धारित रूट पर नहीं चले। नोएडा में कुल 300 वाहन तैनात हैं, जिनमें 220 छोटे हाथी और लगभग 80 ई-रिक्शा शामिल हैं। सभी वाहनों में जीपीएस सिस्टम लगा हुआ है, जिससे हर समय उनकी लोकेशन दर्ज होती रहती है। मॉनिटरिंग टीम ने पाया कि ये गाड़ियां या तो यार्ड में खड़ी रहीं या फिर जानबूझकर इन्हें रूट पर नहीं भेजा गया. इस लापरवाही के लिए कंपनी पर 3.92 लाख रुपये का जुर्माना लगाया गया.

लोगों को परेशानियों का सामना करना पड़ा
वाहनों के नहीं चलने का सीधा असर शहर के लोगों पर पड़ा. रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक महज 7 दिनों में करीब 1.29 लाख घरों से कूड़ा नहीं उठाया गया. घरों के बाहर कूड़े के ढेर लग गए और दुर्गंध फैलने लगी। मजबूरी में लोगों ने खाली प्लाटों, सड़कों और ग्रीन बेल्ट में कूड़ा फेंकना शुरू कर दिया। इससे शहर की छवि खराब हुई. नियमित वसूली न करने पर कंपनी पर 6.5 लाख रुपये का अतिरिक्त जुर्माना लगाया गया।

खराब गाड़ियाँ और ठेकेदार की लापरवाही
जांच में यह भी पता चला कि करीब 25 फीसदी वाहन खराब और कंडम हालत में थे. कंपनी ने इनके रखरखाव पर ध्यान नहीं दिया. कंपनी प्रबंधक शिवांशु कुमार ने स्वीकार किया कि ठेकेदार की लापरवाही के कारण समय पर गाड़ियों की मरम्मत नहीं हो पायी. हालांकि, अब इन्हें ठीक करने का दावा किया गया है।

प्राधिकारी की ओर से सख्त चेतावनी
नोएडा अथॉरिटी के ओएसडी इंदु प्रकाश ने बताया कि कई सेक्टरों से शिकायतें मिल रही थीं. उन्होंने साफ किया कि इस तरह की लापरवाही बर्दाश्त नहीं की जाएगी. कंपनी को अंतिम चेतावनी दी गई है कि अगर दोबारा ऐसा हुआ तो समझौता रद्द कर दिया जाएगा. अधिकारियों को प्रतिदिन जीपीएस रिपोर्ट जांचने का निर्देश दिया गया है.

उठ रहे बड़े सवाल
यह पहली बार नहीं है कि सफाई ठेकेदारों पर कार्रवाई हुई है, बल्कि एक साथ 157 गाड़ियों का गायब होना बड़ा मामला माना जा रहा है. यह विसंगति 2025-26 के ऑडिट में सामने आई। अब सवाल उठ रहा है कि क्या बिना काम के भुगतान लिया जा रहा था? फिलहाल जुर्माने के जरिए संदेश तो दे दिया गया है, लेकिन लोग सख्त कार्रवाई की मांग कर रहे हैं.

Two ancient shipwrecks lie under a few meters of water near the coast of Caesarea, providing insight into what happened in the past regarding the use of ships. The discovery, made near the Mediterranean Sea, included valuable gold, coins and other objects from two different periods of history. The findings show that both of these shipwrecks can be traced back to the Roman and Mamluks eras, both periods separated by more than a thousand years. The environment played a role in the discovery as sand shifted and covered the remains over time.

Coins from Mediterranean shipwreck in shallow waters reveal ancient trade routes

According to the Armstrong Institute, two pieces of the ship were found at a depth of about four meters in a coastal area known for choppy sea conditions. This part of the Mediterranean coast has long been exposed to seasonal storms and strong wave activity, making navigation and anchoring difficult. Archaeological assessment suggests that both ships may have been anchored offshore when adverse weather conditions increased. Anchoring in shallow, open water without natural harbor protection increased the potential for structural damage. Over time, wave forces and sediment movement contributed to the fragmentation of the vessels. Changing sea level played an important role in both the preservation and redistribution of the remains, allowing the artifacts to remain partially buried until recent exposure.The discoveries include a considerable amount of money dating back approximately 1,700 years and some dating back approximately 600 years. Many of these coins are from the Mamluk period, made of silver. The money was not kept in any container but was found spread under the seabed. This suggests that the ships probably broke up during the wreck, causing items to scatter everywhere. Findings of money from many different periods show that the area saw much trading activity throughout time. This is consistent with history that depicts this eastern region as a commercial artery in ancient times.

Personal artifacts highlight the presence of individuals on the board

In addition to cargo, personal artifacts were also found, which serve as evidence of the people aboard the ships. One of the artefacts discovered is a red stone with an engraved harp, which was probably used for the Gemma ring. This symbol is believed to be associated with the culture and religion of Kinor David. Other artefacts discovered include bronze bells, ceramic vessels and miniature figurines. These appear to have been personal artefacts of passengers or members of the ship’s crew.

Ancient gold ring with Good Shepherd symbol highlights early Christian identity and symbolism

Perhaps one of the most interesting artifacts found was an octagonal gold ring with an emerald stone, engraved with a depiction of the “Good Shepherd” with sheep. This can be interpreted as a reference to early Christianity, and the artwork is an allusion to the “Good Shepherd”, indicating protection and guidance from a higher power. This discovery gives us information about early religious practices in the area and adds cultural value to such an object. Thus, the importance of artifacts goes beyond not only physical characteristics, but also cultural value.The second artifact includes some objects that indicate the use and design of the ship. Objects such as an iron anchor, lead pipes (possibly part of the bilge pump system), a bronze eagle and a dramatic mask were found. These objects provide information about the practical design of the ships as well as the cultural setting of the people who used them. Thus, they represent not only the engineering aspect but also the culture aboard such ships.

Artifacts from Roman and Mamluk shipwrecks reveal maritime history

Both shipwrecks represent different events that occurred in the same coastal area but during different historical periods. The combination of Roman and Mamluk artefacts within a shared area highlights the long-term use of this sea route. The recovered material collectively documents trade patterns, navigation risks and the presence of individuals engaged in seafaring activities. The shallow depth of the site and the influence of environmental conditions contributed to both the preservation and eventual discovery of the artifacts. These findings provide a structured record of marine history, supported by physical evidence obtained directly from the sea floor.

Mumbai, April 5 (IANS) In the latest episode of singing reality show Indian Idol, Bollywood diva Karisma Kapoor shared some unknown facts about her late great grandfather and Bollywood icon Prithviraj Kapoor.

In the latest episode of the singing reality show, Indian Idol, the Bollywood diva Karishma Kapoor Shares some unknown facts about his late great grandfather and Bollywood icon Prithviraj Kapoor. After contestant Jyotirmoyee Naik’s soulful performance singing Hindi cinema’s evergreen classic ‘Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya’ from the 1959 hit ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Karisma was clearly seen impressed.Reflecting on Prithviraj Kapoor’s journey, he said, “I don’t know if many people know that Prithviraj ji was earlier a law student. He was so passionate about acting that he moved to Mumbai, which was also known as Bombay at that time.”He further added, “He struggled a lot and then got a break. Prithviraj Kapoor was a part of India’s first talkie film Alam Ara and after a long time, India’s first color graded film was Mughal-e-Azam.”Karishma praised Jyotirmoyee’s performance, saying, “Thank you very much, you have presented it beautifully today.”For those unaware, Prithviraj Kapoor is considered one of the founding figures of Hindi cinema and also gave birth to the entire iconic Kapoor family of Bollywood.He was the father of actor Raj Kapoor. Shammi Kapoor And Shashi Kapoor. His legacy has been carried forward by his grandsons Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor and great-grandchildren Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor.Prithviraj Kapoor’s portrayal of Emperor Akbar in the film Mughal-e-Azam is considered one of the finest performances in the history of Bollywood.During the episode the late legend was also honored by host Aditya Narayan, who said, “Kehte hain aasman mein, sitare kaise hote, lekin chaand ek hi hota, aur Kapoor ki virasat ka chaand hai Prithviraj Kapoor.”He further added, “Had it not been for Prithvi Raj Kapoor, this Kapoor legacy would not have existed. There would not have been so many superstars, RK Studios, Prithvi Theater and this film industry would not have existed. Prithviraj came into the industry as an extra and made the industry extraordinary. Be it the first talkie film Alam Ara which became the voice of Hindi cinema or the industry’s biggest classic Mughal-e-Azam, a masterclass in acting, Prithviraj ji showed why the Hindi film industry calls him Papaji at every turn.“

Rahul Gandhi and Himanta Biswa Sarma (Images/Agencies)

New Delhi: Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Sharp attack on Chief Minister of Assam on Sunday Himanta Biswa SarmaCalled him ‘the most corrupt and hate spreading CM’. He alleged that his party’s ‘Babbar Sher’ would put him in jail.Addressing an election rally in Biswanath, Assam, Rahul Gandhi said, “Assam has the most corrupt, hate-mongering chief minister of India. He is known as ‘Babbar Sher’.” congress party Going to put him in jail.”