Category: NATIONAL

Amaravati, October 29, 2025 — Chief Secretary Vijayanand directed officials to expedite the restoration of electricity in cyclone-affected areas and maintain constant vigilance on the ground. During a video conference with the Chairmen and Managing Directors (CMDs) of Transco, Genco, and the three Discoms, he reviewed the state’s power supply situation. Emphasizing that timely power restoration is crucial for public safety, he instructed officials to ensure adequate manpower and materials are readily available. He also ordered continuous coordination with control rooms established at district and corporate offices. To oversee the situation personally, the Chief Secretary decided to remain at the Secretariat on Tuesday night to issue timely directives and monitor alternative arrangements in severely affected areas.

Due to Cyclone Montha, several electric poles and transformers were damaged, disrupting power supply to 28,083 services. Out of these, 21,057 services were restored while 246 villages remained without electricity initially. By Tuesday night, power supply was restored to 197 villages, with over 1,000 teams and 11,761 personnel working intensively under the three Discoms. In Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore and Tirupati districts, six urban areas experienced outages that were later repaired. Within CPDCL limits, 22 mandals were affected (20 restored), and SPDCL reported 10 mandals with disruptions. Across the three Discoms, 26 substations sustained damage and have been repaired. Of the 267 affected 11 kV feeders, 254 were restored, and out of 85 damaged 33 kV feeders, 70 have been brought back into operation.

Kakinada, October 29, 2025 — Due to the impact of Cyclone Montha, residents across several parts of the erstwhile East Godavari district spent a tense night in fear and uncertainty. Hundreds of electricity poles were uprooted, leading to widespread power outages. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone made landfall near Antarvedi Palem around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, accompanied by massive tidal waves that alarmed even the local fishermen. In Uppalaguptam mandal’s Vasalatippa village, some families initially refused to move to rehabilitation centers until SP Rahul Meena personally intervened and ensured their safe evacuation. In Katrenikona mandal’s Gachakayalapora and Neelapalli, residents were relocated in vehicles for safety.

Across 22 mandals, around 284 rehabilitation centers accommodated affected families by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, with proper arrangements made for food, shelter, and essential supplies, including milk and baby food. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall was recorded across the district — with Uppalaguptam and Mummidivaram receiving 18.0 mm, Amallapuram 15.6 mm, and Mandapeta the least at 4.4 mm. Minister Achchennaidu announced ₹3,000 financial aid and 25 kg of rice for each family returning home. After landfall, conditions normalized by Wednesday morning, though fallen trees and disrupted power supply were reported in Yanam. Around 85 personnel from NDRF and the Reserve Battalion participated in relief operations. The district experienced unusual weather fluctuations — alternating between rain, sunshine, gusty winds, and calm skies — reflecting the cyclone’s unstable influence.

New Delhi, October 24, 2025 — Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for its exceptional courage, discipline, and dedication to the nation during a special event held in New Delhi on Thursday. Addressing a gathering of ITBP personnel, Shah emphasized that the force has continually set glorious precedents in safeguarding India’s borders, particularly in challenging terrains and adverse weather conditions. He highlighted the ITBP’s role in not only border security but also disaster relief, rescue operations, and maintaining internal peace.

Shah further praised the personnel for their unwavering commitment to the nation, stating that their sacrifices often go unrecognized but form the backbone of India’s national security. He called upon the officers to continue their exemplary service with the same zeal and urged the public to acknowledge and support the tireless efforts of the ITBP. The Home Minister also presented awards and commendations to officers who displayed extraordinary bravery in recent operations.

Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, October 24, 2025 — A tragic bus accident in Kurnool district has left a deep sense of grief. A private AC sleeper bus belonging to Vemuri Kaveri Travels, traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, caught fire and was completely reduced to ashes. In this horrifying incident, 19 passengers were burned alive, while 21 others miraculously survived.

How the Accident Occurred: The incident took place on National Highway 44 near Chinnatekur in Kurnool district early Friday morning. The bus was hit forcefully by a bike, which triggered the fire. Authorities stated that the bus dragged the bike for some distance before the fuel tank suddenly ignited, causing the flames to spread rapidly. At the time of the accident, there were 43 people on the bus — 41 passengers and two drivers. Among the passengers were two children and ten women. Since it was early morning, most passengers were asleep.

Survivors’ Accounts and Heroic Actions: Flames and smoke spread quickly inside the bus. Many passengers, waking from deep sleep, barely realized the danger before the situation became life-threatening. The emergency door failed to open, forcing some passengers to take courageous measures to save themselves.

A passenger, Akash (24), shared, “There was a loud sound suddenly. When I got up, I saw huge flames. I immediately broke the window and jumped out. Along with me, two others jumped out of the bus. I am traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru for Diwali. I work as a sales executive in a paint company.”

Like Akash, several other passengers broke windows at the back of the bus to escape. Thanks to the bravery and mutual cooperation of those on board, many were able to survive. The 21 survivors from this horrifying accident are:

• M. Satyanarayana (27), Sattupalli, Khammam
• Jayasurya (24), Miyapur, Hyderabad
• Naveenkumar (26), Hayathnagar, Hyderabad
• Saraswati Harika (30), Bengaluru
• Neelakurthi Ramesh (36), Kothapeta, Nellore
• Neelakurthi Ramesh’s wife, Srilakshmi
• Neelakurthi Ramesh’s daughter, Jaswitha
• Neelakurthi Ramesh’s son, Abhir
• Kaper Ashok (27), Nellore
• Sriharsha (25), Nellore
• Keerthi (28), SR Nagar, Hyderabad
• Venugopal Reddy (24)
• M.G. Ramareddy
• Subrahmanyam
• Ashwin Reddy
• Akash (24)
• Jayanth Kushwal
• Pankaj Prajapati
• Guna Sai
• Shiva
• Gloria Elsa Sam

Rescue Operations and Investigation: Immediately after the accident, the 21 passengers managed to escape with minor injuries by breaking windows and using the emergency exits. Firefighters arrived at the scene and controlled the blaze, but by then the bus had been completely destroyed. The bodies of the 19 passengers who were trapped and burned alive were recovered by a forensic team. Authorities are conducting a detailed investigation into this tragic incident.

Samastipur, October 24, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi today kick-starts the election campaign for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, beginning his rally from Karpuri Gram in Samastipur. He will pay tribute at the memorial of the late Karpoori Thakur, a revered socialist leader and Bharat Ratna awardee, before addressing a large public gathering. The event marks the formal launch of the NDA’s campaign in the state, with Modi expected to rally support by appealing to the legacy of Thakur and emphasizing inclusive development.

The Prime Minister’s campaign speech is expected to focus on his government’s development initiatives, efforts to empower extremely backward castes, and its emphasis on law and order. Modi will contrast his administration’s achievements with past governments’ records, drawing attention to Bihar’s progress under NDA rule. Following the tribute and address in Samastipur, he is scheduled to hold another major rally in Begusarai, signalling an aggressive push by the NDA ahead of the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections.

Kurnool, October 24, 2025 — A devastating bus fire accident near Chinnatekur in Kurnool district during the early hours of Friday has plunged Andhra Pradesh into deep sorrow. The private bus of Vemuri Kaveri Travels (registration number DD01 N9490), traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle. Within moments, flames engulfed the entire vehicle as most passengers were asleep, leaving them little time to react. According to DIG Koya Praveen, there were 41 passengers on board — 39 adults and two children. So far, 11 bodies have been recovered, and efforts are underway to identify them. Nineteen passengers have been found safe, with several receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Authorities reported that the bus departed Hyderabad at 10:30 p.m. and met with the accident around 3:30 a.m. near Chinnatekur. Kurnool District Collector Siri stated that the motorcycle was completely crushed under the bus, triggering the fire that quickly spread to the front section despite the diesel tank remaining intact. Twelve passengers managed to escape by breaking the emergency exit, and they were shifted to Kurnool Hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that one driver is absconding, while the co-driver has been detained for questioning. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, currently in Dubai, expressed deep shock over the tragedy and directed officials to provide immediate medical aid to the injured and financial assistance to the victims’ families. A joint investigation by the police and transport department is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Ahmedabad, October 23, 2025 — Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the six-lane expansion of the Shantipura-Khoraj GIDC road in Gujarat today. The project aims to improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion between Ahmedabad and key industrial zones, particularly benefiting the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) area. Speaking at the event, Shah emphasized that the infrastructure upgrade will significantly boost industrial growth, logistics efficiency, and employment opportunities in the region.

Highlighting the central government’s commitment to modern infrastructure under the “Gati Shakti” initiative, Shah stated that the project will enhance road safety, streamline transport operations, and attract new investments to Gujarat’s industrial belt. He also praised the state government’s efforts in aligning development projects with the Centre’s vision of transforming India’s infrastructure landscape, ensuring faster economic growth and improved ease of doing business.

On October 23, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the centenary observance of Sree Narayana Guru’s Mahasamadhi at Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala, Kerala. This event marks the beginning of a two-year-long global celebration honoring the life, teachings, and enduring legacy of the revered spiritual leader and social reformer.

In her address, President Murmu highlighted Sree Narayana Guru’s profound impact on India’s social and spiritual landscape. She emphasized his message of unity, stating that all human beings share the same divine essence. The President noted that Guru’s teachings transcended religious and caste boundaries, promoting equality and compassion. She also acknowledged his efforts in establishing institutions that served as centers of literacy, self-reliance, and moral values among oppressed communities.

Brisbane, Australia, October 23, 2025 — On the fourth day of his Australia tour, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh participated in a series of business roundtable meetings and engagements with professors from various universities in Brisbane. During these discussions, Lokesh urged industrialists to further strengthen trade relations between Andhra Pradesh and Australia, emphasizing collaboration in aquaculture, innovations, and educational reforms. He invited representatives of several institutions to participate in the upcoming Andhra Pradesh-Australia Partnership Summit scheduled in Visakhapatnam on November 14-15. Lokesh highlighted AP’s key role in exporting refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, electrical machinery, textiles, jewelry, and agricultural products to Australia and underscored the state’s attractive investment environment, noting that the “Speed of Doing Business” initiative has brought ₹10 lakh crore in investments to Andhra Pradesh over the past 16 months.

Lokesh also focused on knowledge sharing and skill development in aquaculture, meeting with representatives from James Cook University to discuss providing genetic tools to enhance shrimp and fish farming in AP. He proposed establishing an Andhra Pradesh hub in collaboration with Griffith University to promote public policy, innovation, research, and student exchanges. Additionally, he called on leading companies to support the development of modern sports facilities and integrated event spaces in AP. Highlighting educational reforms, Lokesh mentioned the introduction of AI, STEM, and robotics labs in high schools and announced plans to establish an AI University in the state. The meetings included participation from officials of the Indian Consulate in Brisbane, Queensland University, James Cook University, University of Southern Queensland, and other academic and industry representatives.