News from West Bengal — Kolkata, Siliguri, North Bengal and districts
The Income Tax Office in Kalimpong organised a cleanliness and youth awareness drive at Kumudini Home Higher Secondary School under the Government of India’s Swachhata Hi Seva 6.0 campaign.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit West Bengal during Durga Puja, with sources indicating a possible Kolkata visit on Saptami and a Belur Math programme on Ashtami. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to attend the Mahalaya event at Eden Gardens instead.
Bengali actor and former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Koel Mallick has joined the BJP and has been named the party’s candidate for the West Bengal Rajya Sabha by-election, months after resigning from the Upper House.
Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP and newly appointed Sikkim BJP in-charge Raju Bista has rejected speculation linking the Centre’s Permanent Political Solution (PPS) process for Darjeeling with any proposed merger of Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Students from Classes VI to X in West Bengal schools will soon learn essential money-management skills through financial literacy activities, including lessons on saving, banking, budgeting and digital payments.
Ahead of Durga Puja, the West Bengal government has announced a special ration package offering flour, sugar and semolina at half price to more than two crore ration-card-holding families. The state has earmarked ₹150 crore for the initiative, which is expected to benefit over eight crore people.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced that his government plans to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state within six months. He also said stringent laws would be introduced against what he described as “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversion.
The North Bengal University Alumni Association marked the conclusion of its Silver Jubilee celebrations with a special programme at the university campus on October 4. Union Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, attended the ceremony.
Jalpaiguri is being positioned as a major tourism gateway to the Dooars, with new investments planned across hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, homestays and nature-based tourism.
West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose was admitted to a private hospital near EM Bypass in Kolkata after experiencing sudden chest pain and discomfort. His condition is currently reported to be stable, with doctors keeping him under observation.
Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil have arrived in Kolkata ahead of their international friendly against India at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 3. The star-studded squad, led by head coach Carlo Ancelotti, reached the city amid tight security arrangements.
The West Bengal BJP has carried out a significant organisational reshuffle, bringing changes to several district committees and party morchas. Several leaders have been reassigned, including changes in the leadership of the Yuva Morcha, Mahila Morcha, OBC Morcha and ST Morcha.