'Fear-mongering attempt': Bengal CEO dismisses Abhishek Banerjee’s claim of elderly voter dying in polling booth

IANS | May 1, 2026 1:56 PM

Kolkata, May 1 (IANS) Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, on Friday issued a statement rubbishing an earlier social media statement by the Trinamool Congress general secretary and the party’s Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, that an elderly voter died after being manhandled by central forces personnel at a polling booth in Udaynarayanpur in Howrah district during the second phase of Assembly polls on April 29.

Buddha Purnima and Labour Day: A shared call for compassion and dignity

R.K. Raina | May 1, 2026 1:45 PM

New Delhi, May 1 (IANS) “Sukhino va khemino hontu Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta (May all beings be happy and secure; May all beings be inwardly at peace)”. Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha. It is not merely a commemorative day but a moment of inward reflection on the timeless truths he revealed. His teaching was simple in expression yet profound in implication. Human suffering arises from craving and ignorance. Its cessation lies in right understanding, right conduct and right mindfulness.

Jabalpur cruise tragedy: Death toll reaches 9; search on for missing four

IANS | May 1, 2026 1:41 PM

Jabalpur, May 1 (IANS) The death toll in the tragic cruise accident at Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district has reached nine, after three more bodies were recovered on Friday, with the rescue teams continuing an intensive search operation for four missing passengers, including children.