Landslides in Darjeeling caused massive havoc in West Bengal on Sunday with 18 dead and several still missing. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the loss of lives and acknowledged the disaster as torrential rains caused massive devastation across the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills in the state, officials said.Addressing a press conference in Patna in poll-bound Bihar, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, when asked about whether Aadhaar card will be considered in the national Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after Supreme Court relief in Bihar SIR, said Aadhaar card cannot be considered a proof of citizenship under the Representation of the People Act 1950 and the Aadhaar Act.Darjeeling landslides: Death toll rises to 18; West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to visit affected areas on October 6A major landslide struck near the Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road on Saturday night, sweeping away houses and paralysing vehicle movement. Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer Richard Lepcha confirmed initial deaths but said the figures could rise. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by the local administration, police, disaster response teams and volunteers. Heavy rainfall and slippery terrain have slowed down the process. A senior police officer explained that the continuous downpour had made it “extremely difficult” for earthmovers and emergency vehicles to reach the sites. Read full story hereIt’s only identity proof’: After Bihar, will Aadhaar be considered in national SIR? What EC said“According to the Supreme Court’s orders and under the Aadhaar Act, the document cannot be considered proof of date of birth, proof of residence, or proof of citizenship. The ECI had requested Aadhaar card within the enumeration form itself. Providing your Aadhaar number is not mandatory under the Aadhaar Act, nor under Section 26 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. It is optional. It depends on the Aadhaar holder,” CEC Gyanesh Kumar said, according to ANI. He made the remarks during a press conference in Patna, focusing on poll preparedness ahead of the elections in Bihar. Read full story hereAir India Dreamliner RAM deploys in final approach to UK; lands safely & grounded for checksThe ram air turbine (RAT) of an Air India Dreamliner deployed on its final approach, seconds before landing at 400 feet, to Birmingham on Saturday. The aircraft landed safely and has been grounded for checks. The RAT — a last-resort emergency power system — was deployed seconds after the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner lifted off from Ahmedabad on June 12. Read full story here‘Dragged by hair, paraded in Israeli flag’: Eyewitnesses detail Greta Thunberg’s detention; Israel says ‘brazen lies’Eyewitnesses on a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza described environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg being dragged, beaten, and paraded by Israeli forces after her detention. The accounts depict a scene of intimidation and mistreatment that shocked those on board. An email from the Swedish foreign ministry to people close to Thunberg, citing an official who visited her in prison, said she was held in a cell infested with bedbugs, given insufficient food and water, and forced to sit for long periods on hard surfaces. Read full story here‘End of an era’: Rohit Sharma’s 13-year-old post goes viral as Shubman Gill replaces him as ODI captainFollowing the announcement by chief selector and former India pacer Ajit Agarkar, an old social media post from Rohit has gained attention. The former captain had written on X (formerly Twitter) over 13 years ago: “End of an era (45) and the start of a new one (77).” The numbers reference their jersey numbers – Rohit wears 45 while Gill sports 77. Read full story here
