Modi seeks ideas for his Independence Day speech
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sought ideas from people for his Independence Day speech, a practice he has followed for the past three years. ‘What are your thoughts and ideas for my 15th August speech? Share them with me on a specially created forum on the Narendra Modi App,’ he tweeted. The PM said he looks forward to receiving people’s “fruitful inputs’ in the coming days. For the past three years, Modi has directly invited ideas and suggestions from people for his Independence Day speech. People can also share their ideas on MyGov portal. According to MyGov.in, PM Modi will pick up some of the ideas in his speech. Some of the suggestions already received on the website for the speech, include the ones on cases of rape, open defecation, reservation system and education. It would be Modi’s fifth Independence Day speech. (PTI)
Goa NGO wants police to probe bestiality against dog
Panaji: The Humane Society International-India, a voluntary organization engaged in stopping cruelty against animals, on Tuesday filed a complaint with the state police demanding criminal investigation into bestiality against a female dog in the tourist village of Siolim. In a letter to the state Director General of Police, it said its volunteers had picked the six-year-old female dog near the Siolim fish market for animal birth control surgery earlier this month. ‘The same dog was reported to have been bleeding from her genitals four weeks prior to her capture. While she was being operated at the World Veterinary Service Centre, the doctors discovered a screwdriver stuck in her uterus, which perforated as a result,’ it said. Cracking down on those involved in animal cruelty, can help keep ‘dangerous criminals off the street,’ the Society said. “There is an overwhelming scientific evidence that establishes a link between animal cruelty and a variety of crimes including violence against people,’ the complaint said. (IANS)
Saibaba temple gets Rs 6.66 cr donations on Guru Poornima
Shirdi: The Saibaba temple here received donations worth about Rs 6.66 crore during the three-day ‘Guru Poornima’ festival, an official said on Tuesday. The devotees, from the country as well abroad, donated Rs 3.83 crore cash in donation boxes kept in the temple premises between July 26 and 28, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rubal Agrawal told reporters here yesterday. Besides, the donation counters in the temple, located at Shirdi town in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, received 1.57 crore cash, she said. In addition to this, the temple also received Rs 1 crore through online donations, debit cards, cheques and demand drafts, the CEO said. Also, devotees from places like USA, London, Malaysia, Canada, New Zealand and Gulf countries donated foreign currencies worth Rs 11.25 lakh. During the three-day festival, devotees also donated gold and silver items worth Rs 13.53 lakh, Agrawal said. Apart from these donations, the temple trust earned Rs 2.7 crore through paid passes issued to visitors, distribution of ‘laddoos’ (ball-shaped sweets) and food offered to visitors during the festival. (PTI)
Man kills two sons, attempts suicide after fight with wife
Vadodara: Apparently upset over marital discord, a 28-year-old man allegedly killed his two minor sons by throwing them into a well and later tried to commit suicide, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place in Bhatachopda village in neighbouring Panchmahal district yesterday, said sub-inspector Rakesh Bharwad. The man, Bhaumik Pagi, consumed pesticide and has been admitted in a hospital at Godhra, he said. He will be arrested on murder charges once he is discharged from the hospital, Bharwad said. Pagi allegedly threw his two sons – aged 4 and 7 – in the well near the village after a heated argument with his wife (28), who suspected him of having an extramarital affair, Bharwad said. Their bodies were later fished out from the well, he added. (PTI)
60 students fall ill after drinking contaminated water
Mumbai: At least 60 students were hospitalised on Tuesday after they drank contaminated water from taps near their school in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, a police official said. Eight students are in a serious condition, he said. The students, aged 10 to 12 years, complained of stomach ache, dysentery and giddiness after drinking contaminated water from taps near their school, run by an NGO Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, in Pimpaldari village, Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjankumar Sharma said. They were rushed to a primary health centre in Dhargaon where most of them were admitted, he said. Eight students, whose condition was serious, were shifted to a hospital in Loni city for treatment, the SP said, adding that seven students were discharged after treatment at the primary health centre. “We have collected water samples and sent them for analysis,” Sharma said. (PTI)
MLA claims ‘plastic’ eggs being sold in Goa, CM promises lab tests
Panaji: Goa Chief Minister assured the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that he would get ‘plastic’ eggs examined by laboratories, including a facility run by the central government, after a Congress MLA claimed that the ‘plastic’ eggs were being sold in the state. Speaking during Zero Hour, Congress MLA from Curtorim Aleixo Reginaldo claimed that the plastic eggs were being sold in the state and demanded inquiry into it. “I have brought three eggs to show you. These are plastic eggs which are being sold in Goa. This is harmful for the health of the people of the state,” Mr Reginaldo said, exhibiting the alleged ‘plastic’ eggs for all to see on the floor of the House. The MLA claimed that not only but a former MLA also had come across the eggs being sold in the state. The Chief Minister Manohar, though said that he was willing to bet that the eggs were not made of plastic, but assured the House that he would be get the eggs examined. He said the MLA should not indulge in speculation with having scientific vetting. ‘I will get it checked with all laboratories. We will send one to the Centre also. There cannot be a plastic egg,’ Parrikar said. (UNI)