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The Chief Minister said that pilgrims from around the world would experience Sanatan culture during the Mahakumbh and that the government is dedicated to respecting this tradition.

While addressing the saint community at the Mahakumbh site, Chief Minister Adityanath underlined that every saint and devotee coming to bathe in the holy Triveni Sangam would witness the continuous and pure flow of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

He assured that efforts are being made to ensure the cleanliness of these sacred rivers, but also stressed the need for cooperation from the saint community. The Chief Minister announced that land would soon be reserved in Prayagraj for the ‘samadhi’ of saints who pass away during the Mahakumbh.

He stressed that the progress of the Sanatan society is possible under the guidance of saints and called for everyone to contribute to making Mahakumbh 2025 even grander than the previous one in 2019.

In a special mention of the late Narendra Giri Maharaj, the Chief Minister said that construction of a corridor near the Hanuman temple is being carried out. He urged all saints to join the campaign for a clean Mahakumbh, asserting that it would be appropriate to avoid the use of prohibited plastic.

In response to the saint community's demand for a ban on cow slaughter, the Chief Minister stated that cow slaughter is a crime in Uttar Pradesh, with penalties of up to life imprisonment. The state government operates over 7,000 cow shelters, housing more than 1.4 million cattle. He called for the support of the saint community in promoting cow conservation and suggested that every ashram develop cow protection facilities and engage in cow service.

Prioritising security during the Mahakumbh, the Chief Minister urged all saints to verify the identity of anyone staying in their ashrams before granting permission.

Earlier, amidst Vedic chants and slogans praising Sanatan Dharma, the Chief Minister honoured each revered saint and acharya with traditional shawls.

A short film regarding the management and arrangements for Mahakumbh 2025 was also presented to the saints.

During this dialogue session with akhadas and saints, the representatives expressed that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is a protector of Sanatan Dharma, under whose leadership the community feels honoured.

They noted that he is the first Chief Minister to directly engage with saints regarding the Mahakumbh, listening to their concerns and suggestions. The saints expressed satisfaction with the preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 and affirmed that it would be grander and more divine than previous events.

They collectively thanked Chief Minister Yogi, highlighting the prevalent global tensions and the potential of Mahakumbh 2025 to convey a message of peace to the world.

--IANS

Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, Jaishankar stressed that the UN has failed to keep pace with the world, forcing countries to find alternative ways to address pressing global challenges.

"Since this is an economic conclave, let me give you a businesslike answer. The UN, in a way, is like an old company, not entirely keeping up with the market but occupying the space. And, when it's behind times in this world, you have startups and innovation. So, different people start doing their own things," Jaishankar said.

He explained that while countries would prefer the UN to lead global initiatives when it fails to address key issues, they are left to create their own mechanisms.

"There is a UN at the end of the day, however, suboptimal it is in functioning, it's still the only multilateral game in town. But when it doesn't step up on key issues, countries figure out their own ways of doing it," Jaishankar added.

Reflecting on the UN's role during the Covid-19 pandemic, EAM Jaishankar highlighted its limited contribution, stating, "Probably the biggest thing which happened in our life was Covid. Think about what the UN do on Covid, and I think the answer is not very much".

He also addressed the UN's inaction on major global conflicts, specifically the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing Middle East crisis.

"Two very serious conflicts are going on in the world. Where is the UN on them? Essentially a bystander. So what is happening is that as you saw even during Covid, countries either did their own thing or you had an initiative like Covax, which was done by a group of countries," Jaishankar remarked.

"When it comes to the big issues of the day, increasingly, you'll find combinations of countries who come together and say, let's agree on this and let's go and do it," he added.

Jaishankar highlighted recent examples like the connectivity initiative involving India, Middle Eastern countries, European countries, and the US, as well as other alliances like the QUAD and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which operate independently.

"The UN will continue, but increasingly there's a non-UN space, which is the active space," he concluded.

India has long been batting for expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in both permanent and non-permanent categories, as well as reform in its working methods.

The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been, according to the highest priority, to obtain a permanent membership for India in an expanded UNSC. The process of UNSC Reforms is being presently discussed under the Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) framework of the UN General Assembly.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India is also working alongside other reform-oriented countries through its membership in G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (a cross-regional group of countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America) for building support among the UN Member States for expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories.

--IANS

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The suspension order was issued by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department.

The body of Nayak was found hanging in his official quarters at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district on September 18. Nayak, a resident of Rayagada district, was posted at the Jaring Research Garden in Kalahandi. Nayak in his suicide note had allegedly held Behera responsible for his taking the extreme step.

The Forest Department in its order noted that a prima-facie allegation of abetment to commit suicide was made against Behera, Silviculturist of Rayagada Division, in the suicidal note of deceased Sanjay Kumar Nayak.

Notably, Nayak’s wife Priyanka Subudhi had alleged that her husband had died due to the mental torture meted out to him by the senior officials in the Rayagada Division.

She claimed that Nayak was allegedly being pressurised for the percentage commission for different projects undertaken by the state Forest Department in the area. Nayak’s wife also alleged that her husband took the extreme step as he failed to bear the torture.

As per the Forest Department order, a case (368/24) under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered against Behera, at the Bhawanipatna Town Police station on September 18. 

The Chief Conservator of Forests (T&D), Cuttack Circle has also been directed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force] of Odisha to initiate an inquiry into the matter and submit his findings for further needful action.

“Now, therefore, pending receipt of inquiry report from Chief Conservator of Forests (T&D), Cuttack Circle and to facilitate smooth inquiry and prevent tampering, Debendra Kumar Behera, OFS-I (SB), Silviculturist, Rayagada Division is placed under suspension with immediate effect in terms of sub rule-(1)(b) of Rule-12 of the O.C.S (CC&A) Rules, 1962 and shall remain under suspension until further order,” added the order.

--IANS

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