New Delhi: Portmanteau wrote itself. Now, it has a ring that can launch a thousand candy commercials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy early Wednesday, welcomed his counterpart Georgia Meloni and handed her a packet of ‘Melody’, much to the delight of political journalists. Interestingly, the name of Parle Toffee matches the name of the friendship between the two Prime Ministers that has been trending on the internet for three years. The 12-second video of the ‘chocolate’ exchange between PM Modi and Meloni was viewed more than 10 crore times within a few hours. “PM Modi has brought us a gift – a very, very nice toffee: Melody,” Meloni said as Modi picked up the packet, before both burst into a hearty laugh. “Thank you for the gift,” she later posted on X. The ‘Melody’ tag has been a major part of online trends whenever the two have met. It got something close to official endorsement when Meloni used it as a hashtag on a selfie with PM Modi posted during the COP28 meeting in the UAE in December 2023. PM’s toffee diplomacy in Rome sent the opposition back home. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the Prime Minister was “busy distributing sweets in Italy” while “there is an economic storm going on in the country”. “Farmers, youth, women laborers and small traders are all shedding tears – the PM is laughing and making reels, while BJP people are clapping. This is not leadership, this is a farce,” he said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also targeted the PM. “Modiji wants the public to enjoy the ‘melody’ of his speeches while being spared the ‘sorrow’ of his government’s loot!” Citing domestic LPG prices, he said that it has increased by 121%. “Every aspect of the economy is suffering, but Modiji continues his public relations campaign and exhorts citizens to shoulder the burden of this severe economic storm,” Kharge alleged. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed his views on the toffee discussion, though without mentioning Melody the Sweet or Melody the Pair. He wrote on Later, responding to Rahul’s criticism of Modi’s choice of gift for the Italian PM, Goyal wondered why he had so much “hate” for India and Indian products. “India has become a trusted destination for the world through its ‘Made in India’ and ‘Local Goes Global’ initiatives, but Congress can only find problems in every Indian achievement,” he said, alleging that Rahul is unable to digest the country’s “rising stature under PM Modi’s rule”. The Prime Minister was in Italy on the last leg of his five-nation tour. Meloni hosted him for dinner and accompanied him on a tour of the Colosseum.

Quoting ANI sources, the government said on Wednesday that no case of Ebola has been reported in the country so far.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said no cases of Ebola have been reported in India so far, while surveillance and preparedness measures have been strengthened across the country after WHO declared Ebola a public health emergency of international concern.A high-level review meeting was held with Health Secretaries of all States and Union Territories under the chairmanship of Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava to assess the preparedness and response measures related to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).During the meeting, states and union territories were advised to maintain preparedness at every level. The Center said detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) covering pre-arrival and post-arrival screening, quarantine protocols, case management, referral system and laboratory testing have already been shared with all states and UTs.Srivastava stressed the need for coordinated monitoring, timely reporting and preparedness at designated health facilities during the review meeting. The government said all concerned ministries and departments have been sensitized and are taking preventive and surveillance measures in coordination with the health ministry.The ministry also said India has prior experience in dealing with such situations, including the Ebola outbreak in Africa in 2014, when similar precautionary measures were successfully implemented.The Ebola virus is highly contagious and spreads through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit and semen. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern and expressed concern over its “scale and speed”. The WHO representative in Congo has warned that the outbreak could continue for at least the next two months.Health officials said the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which reportedly spread unknown for weeks after initial tests for the more common Ebola strain produced negative results.Investigations are still ongoing to determine when and where the outbreak began. “Given the scale, we’re thinking it probably started a few months ago,” said Anais Legrand, a technical official with the WHO emergency program, as quoted by the AP.There have been 51 cases confirmed so far in Congo’s northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, as well as two cases in Uganda. Additionally, authorities are tracking 139 suspected deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases linked to the outbreak.

Mayawati (file photo/PTI)

New Delhi: Many Dalit leaders of Congress tried to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati reached her Lucknow residence on Wednesday, following which the grand old party issued her a show cause notice seeking an explanation for her “unauthorized” act.The leaders were turned away from the gate as they had not sought time to meet the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who belongs to the Dalit community.Congress Scheduled Caste department national president Rajendra Pal Gautam and the department’s Uttar Pradesh president and MP Tanuj Punia, who were among those who visited Mayawati’s residence, described the visit as a “sudden courtesy call” with “no political overtones”.Congress’ Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pandey told PTI that the party has taken note of the visit.“This was not an authorized party delegation. We have taken cognizance of the matter and issued a show cause notice. Although we respect him very much, those who attempted to meet him did so in their personal capacity,” Pandey said.Meanwhile, State Congress President Ajay Rai said that the party has not given permission for any such meeting.“Such programs are pre-planned and approved in advance by the top leadership,” Rai said.‘Not true’: Congress MP Punia refutes reports that Dalit leader wanted to send message to Rahul GandhiPunia denied reports which claimed that Dalit leaders had approached Mayawati to convey Rahul Gandhi’s message.Punia told PTI, “This is not right… A meeting of the party’s SC branch under the leadership of Rajendra Pal ji was held in Lucknow on Tuesday evening. Since our party office is close to the BSP chief’s residence, after the meeting, as we passed by Mayawati ji’s residence, we thought of paying a sudden courtesy call to her, as she also comes from our community and is a senior leader.BSP spokesperson Vishwanath Pal said that he had no information about the visit. “I don’t know who went to see Sister. I am not aware of any such visit,” he said, referring to Mayawati.Unfazed by the controversy, Gautam said the visit was “well-intentioned” and had no political implications, adding that its purpose was to check the health of the BSP leader.Gautam said, “It may be a juicy gossip for the media, but as far as I am concerned, I have known Mayawati’s relatives for a long time. Her brother I know well and we meet often. That is why, after our Lucknow meeting, when we passed by his residence, we decided to check if he was available for the meeting.”When asked whether a formal appointment should have been taken, he said that it was not considered necessary as he was familiar with their family.

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari

Within days of assuming power, the BJP government in West Bengal has initiated a series of high-impact administrative, welfare and governance decisions aimed at signaling a policy shift from the previous Trinamool Congress regime. These measures include welfare restructuring, recruitment reforms, changes in reservation policy, scrutiny of caste certificates, educational instructions and anti-corruption action. The government has attempted to strengthen nationalist symbolism in institutions while tightening administrative oversight of welfare delivery and reservation systems. Several steps hold both political and legal significance, especially those related to OBC reservations, caste certificate verification and investigation into alleged corruption under his predecessor.

‘Chicken Neck’ corridor transferred to Centre.

The West Bengal government approved the transfer of seven major national highways in the Siliguri Corridor, known as ‘Chicken Neck’, to central agencies with an aim to strengthen connectivity through the strategically sensitive stretch connecting the Northeast with mainland India and facilitate faster movement of armed forces.

Ayushman Bharat will be implemented

The newly formed BJP government in West Bengal announced the implementation of the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme during its first cabinet meeting on May 11. Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible families get annual health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for secondary and tertiary health care treatment in empaneled hospitals.West Bengal had previously stayed out of the centrally sponsored scheme under the Trinamool Congress government, which operated the Swasthya Sathi program instead. The decision marks a significant policy shift by linking the state with one of the central government’s flagship welfare schemes. Along with Ayushman Bharat, the Cabinet also discussed the implementation of other central schemes and administrative measures, including transfer of land related to border fencing to BSF and recruitment reforms.

Annapurna scheme Lakshmir replaces Bhandar

The West Bengal government on Wednesday notified the Annapurna scheme, replacing the flagship Laxmi Bhandar scheme launched under the previous TMC government. Under the new programme, eligible women aged 25 to 60 will get a monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 through direct benefit transfer to Aadhaar linked bank accounts. Permanent government employees, pensioners and income tax payers are not included in this scheme. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be automatically transferred to the new scheme, however names that are dead, transferred, duplicated or deleted will be removed during the voter verification exercise. The government has also linked the scheme to electoral verification processes, making it politically significant. An online portal for fresh applications is scheduled to open from June 1, with district magistrates and Kolkata civic authorities designated as approving bodies for applicants.

Vande Mataram made mandatory in schools

The School Education Department, through a communication issued on May 13, directed all state-run and state-aided schools to sing Vande Mataram compulsorily during the morning assembly and implemented the same from May 18. School authorities were directed to ensure participation of all students and maintain video documentation as proof of compliance.The move adds the national song to existing assembly practices where schools traditionally sing only the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and in recent years, the state song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol. The decision holds strong symbolic and ideological significance as the BJP government has framed it as an effort to strengthen patriotism and respect for national symbols. However, the move has also generated debate among teachers and sections of civil society over concerns about the implementation arrangements and constraints in educational institutions.

Land transfer for fencing the India-Bangladesh border

The West Bengal government on May 11 began the process of transferring land to the Union Home Ministry for the Border Security Force to erect fencing on the unfenced stretches of the India-Bangladesh border, the CM had announced earlier this month.Announcing the decision after the first cabinet meeting of the new government, CM Suvendu Adhikari said that the required land will be handed over within 45 days. The move comes amid a prolonged judicial inquiry over delays in border fencing projects in the state. According to the data placed before the Supreme Court by the Central government, about 435 km stretch of the border remains unfenced, while more than 286 km stretch is pending mainly due to land acquisition issues. The Calcutta High Court had also earlier this year directed the state to immediately transfer the acquired land to the BSF.

OBC reservation revised for 66 communities

The government notified 66 communities under the Other Backward Class category, restoring the 7 per cent reservation framework following the Calcutta High Court order, which had earlier quashed TMC-era OBC notifications. The decision, formally notified on May 19 and publicly implemented on May 20, affects government jobs and educational admissions. The revised list includes communities like Kurmi, Kapali, Teli, Yadav and several Muslim groups including Hajjam (Muslim), Paharia Muslim and Jola (Ansari-Momin). The move is significant as it rolls back the previous 17 per cent reservation structure and aligns the state policy with the High Court’s direction that benefits already received by affected groups should continue without any disruption.

free bus travel for women

The state Cabinet on Monday approved free bus travel for women in state-run transport services. The move is being projected as a major women-centric welfare measure aimed at reducing the cost of daily commuting and increasing workforce participation. The scheme is expected to include government-run buses on urban and rural routes. It was announced as part of the government’s first major welfare package after assuming power.

Maximum age limit increased for government jobs

On May 18, the Finance Department formally raised the upper age limit for recruitment to state government posts by five years, fulfilling one of the BJP’s key promises to job aspirants. Under the revised rules, now the upper age limit is 41 years for Group A posts, 44 years for Group B posts and 45 years for Group C and D posts. The age limit for recruitment through statutory bodies, government companies and local authorities is uniformly fixed at 45 years. The existing relaxation for SC, ST, OBC and Divyang candidates will continue. The first recruitment process that is expected to benefit from this decision is the ongoing Assistant Professor recruitment in government-aided colleges, for which the application deadline will also be extended. The move is aimed at expanding employment opportunities for candidates who had earlier crossed the age limit amid years of delayed recruitment and stalled examinations in the state.

free bus travel for women

The West Bengal Cabinet on Monday approved free bus travel for women in state-run transport services as a part of the initial welfare measures announced after the new government took charge. The scheme will be applicable to government-run buses on urban and rural routes in the state. According to officials, the initiative aims to reduce travel costs for women who depend on public transport for work, education and daily travel. The decision is expected to impact a large section of regular commuters, especially in Kolkata and district cities where state transport services form a major part of public mobility. The announcement coincided with the implementation of Annapurna Yojana and other welfare measures. Detailed operational guidelines and implementation modalities for the transport scheme are expected to be issued separately by the Transport Department.

Approval for prosecution against Sandeep Ghosh

The West Bengal government on May 19 approved the prosecution of Sandeep Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with alleged financial irregularities related to procurement and administrative practices during his tenure. The sanction was granted under the provisions of the Indian Justice Code, Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act after scrutiny of the FIR and investigation records. The case gained national prominence in 2024 after the rape and murder of a doctor at the hospital, prompting a widespread investigation into alleged corruption within the institution. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate are investigating the case after an investigation was ordered by the Calcutta High Court.

Re-verification of caste certificates issued since 2011

The West Bengal government ordered statewide re-verification of all caste certificates issued since 2011, with the Backward Classes Welfare Department issuing instructions to district magistrates on May 15. The exercise involves around 1.69 crore SC, ST and OBC certificates, including those distributed through government camps during the previous TMC regime. The government has been accused of massive irregularities and fraudulent issuance of certificates over the past 15 years, with ministers claiming that fake beneficiaries have illegally availed reservation and welfare benefits. Officials have been directed to scrutinize the certificates and cancel those issued through incorrect information or procedural violations.

Ending religion-based aid schemes

The new government had also announced that several religion-specific welfare and grant schemes launched during the TMC rule would be discontinued. Although details are still emerging, BJP leaders said the move was aimed at ending “appeasement politics” and moving towards religion-neutral welfare delivery. The decision is politically significant as it directly targets one of the central campaign themes of the BJP in Bengal.

New Delhi: The Center on Wednesday sought the support of major social media platforms including Meta, Google and Telegram to crack down on rumours, fake paper leak claims and panic-inducing posts ahead of the NEET-UG re-exam, as the government stepped up efforts to restore confidence in the country’s biggest medical entrance exam after the recent leak controversy.Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level meeting with representatives of social media companies and separately reviewed security preparedness with central intelligence and law enforcement agencies, directing “focused action” on organized misinformation networks operating online ahead of the exams.According to Education Ministry officials, concerns were raised over the increasing spread of fake content through Telegram channels, anonymous groups and automated bots that become highly active ahead of major examinations. Officials said many such channels broadcast fabricated paper leak claims, clickbait messages and unverified information to create panic and confusion among students and parents.“Many suspicious channels were found operating through a limited set of phone numbers, indicating coordinated and organized activity,” a senior ministry official said, citing inputs shared by intelligence agencies during the meeting.Officials said it was learned that the social media platforms have assured active cooperation to the government in identifying, preventing and removing misleading content related to the examinations. Pradhan directed the companies to work closely with the ministry, National Testing Agency (NTA) and law enforcement agencies to swiftly remove channels spreading “fake information, propaganda and panic”.Intelligence and security agencies have also been asked to strengthen digital surveillance ahead of the exams and keep an eye on emerging online patterns, officials said. Particular attention is being paid to encrypted messaging platforms and rapidly growing groups that claim to provide candidates with advance access to exam materials or “inside information”.These meetings are being held ahead of the re-examination of NEET-UG, which was announced after the May 3 exam was canceled following allegations that parts of the paper were leaked ahead of the exam. The controversy revived concerns over exam security following paper leak allegations, grace marks controversies and NEET-related controversies involving organized malpractice networks.Earlier on Tuesday, again in a review meeting on NEET preparations, Pradhan stressed that all the weaknesses identified in the previous examination process should be comprehensively addressed. Officials were directed to hold coordination meetings with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of the states to ensure strong monitoring and strict implementation of safety protocols at the examination centres.The minister also directed the officials to ensure adequate student facilities including transportation, drinking water and uninterrupted arrangements during the re-examination.