Kolkata Book Fair Day 2 Sees 3.5 L Footfall as Metro Ticket Kiosk Eases Rush The 49th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) has surged ahead of schedule, drawing an estimated 3.5 lakh visitors on its second day, according to officials from the Publishers and Booksellers Guild. The footfall, which has already surpassed six lakh across the first two days, is expected to climb further as the fair extends into a four‑day holiday stretch that includes Republic Day. Background and Context The IKBF, held annually at the iconic Howrah Maidan, is one of the world’s largest book fairs, attracting authors, publishers, and…
Author: Map of Netherlands
In a landmark move that could reshape the academic landscape for India’s next generation of innovators, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has announced that entrepreneurship ISC subject will be offered to students in Classes XI and XII from the 2028 examination cycle. The decision, unveiled in a circular released this Friday, also rebrands the existing commerce course as business studies, signalling a broader shift toward skill‑based, real‑world learning. Background and Context The announcement comes at a time when India’s education policy is under intense scrutiny. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has called for a move…
In a vibrant display of community spirit, housing complexes across Kolkata lit up with Saraswati Puja celebrations this Friday, blending cultural reverence with patriotic fervor ahead of Republic Day. From the upscale condominiums of New Town to the cooperative societies in south and north Kolkata, residents gathered for puja, communal lunches, and flag‑hoisting, turning their living spaces into hubs of togetherness. Background/Context January 24 marks the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, a day that has become synonymous with patriotic celebrations in West Bengal. Coinciding with the annual Saraswati Puja, the festival of learning and arts, the city’s housing complexes…
The Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a sweeping directive that could halt all Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings in West Bengal until law‑and‑order concerns are fully addressed. In a move that underscores the escalating tensions surrounding the upcoming elections, the EC has ordered district magistrates (DMs) and district executive officers (DEOs) to adjourn SIR hearings “sine die” and to file First Information Reports (FIRs) immediately if violence erupts at any hearing venue. The directive, issued on January 22, follows a string of violent incidents that have rattled the state’s electoral machinery. Background/Context West Bengal’s 2026 assembly elections have…
Bangladeshi barge MV Tamjeed Nasir has sunk on a sandbar in the Muriganga River, threatening a massive fly ash spill that could devastate the local ecosystem and fishing communities. Authorities are racing to recover the vessel, which was carrying an estimated 650–700 tonnes of fly ash, a hazardous by‑product of coal‑fired power plants. Background and Context Fly ash, a fine powder produced when coal is burned, is often transported in bulk to neighboring countries for use as a construction material. In India, the practice has been common for over two decades, with large vessels carrying up to 1,500 tonnes of ash. The…
ED chief Rahul Navin arrives in Kolkata to meet officials who carried out I‑PAC searches. The central agency’s top officer is set to review the outcomes of the controversial raids on the political consultancy firm I‑PAC and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, amid a standoff with the West Bengal government. The meeting, held on Friday night, follows the ED’s legal challenges to the state police’s conduct during the searches and signals a decisive step in the probe into alleged political interference and corruption. Background / Context The Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of searches on 18…
Bengal pacers dominate Services in a decisive Ranji Trophy showdown, setting the stage for the knockout rounds. In a match that unfolded at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani, the Bengal team’s bowlers dismantled the Services XI, restricting them to a paltry 126 for 8. Bengal’s 519-run total, built on a solid batting display, left the visitors 393 runs behind. The victory not only secures Bengal’s position in the Elite Group C standings but also boosts their confidence as they head into the high‑stakes knockout phase. Background and Context The Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic first‑class competition, has seen…
In a dramatic turn of events on Suren Sarkar Street near Subhas Sarobar, a local resident stopped a man from setting fire to a sack of plastic waste at the base of a historic kadam tree, averting a potential environmental disaster that could have harmed the tree’s roots and the surrounding ecosystem. Background/Context The incident unfolded on Wednesday evening, a time when the area is bustling with students, joggers, and families visiting the Subhas Sarobar swimming pool and the nearby Lake Side (South) Club. The kadam tree, a five‑storey tall specimen that has stood for decades, is a key part…
In a dramatic finish at the Dhakuakhana Football Stadium, Bengal clinched a 1‑0 victory over Uttarakhand in the Santosh Trophy Group A match, thanks to a late strike by super‑sub Narohari Shrestha. The goal, scored in the 97th minute, secured Bengal’s second win in as many games and positioned the team second in the group behind Rajasthan, who topped the table with a better goal difference. Background and Context The Santosh Trophy, India’s premier state‑level football competition, has long been a proving ground for emerging talent and a showcase for regional pride. Bengal, a 33‑time champion, entered the tournament with high…
In a bold departure from tradition, Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, bypassed the annual Red Road ceremony on January 23 and instead paid homage to Subhas Chandra Bose at Netaji Bhawan, the former leader’s ancestral home. The move, which coincided with Bose’s birth anniversary, has sparked debate across political circles and among the public, signalling a shift in how opposition leaders engage with historical symbols. Background and Context Subhas Chandra Bose, a towering figure in India’s freedom struggle, is revered across the country for his militant stance against British rule. Every year, the state government of West Bengal…