1.4 crore people take dip as Kumbh Mela begins

At the first Shahi Snan at the Kumbh Mela, Naga Sadhus - who get the first right to take a dip at the confluence of the holy rivers - queue up for their turn to immerse themselves in the Divine. (Photo: Raj Chengappa)

The sacred baths began at the break of dawn as the sun rose over the horizon and went on through the day till the last rays set over the 'Sangam'. The chants of Har Har Gange reached a crescendo as around 1.4 crore people took the holy dip to mark the beginning of the 50-day-long Kumbh Mela on Tuesday.

Sadhus of 13 akharas (seven Shaiva, three Vaishnava, two Udasina, and one Sikh) were the first to take the holy bath followed by the devotees.

Union minister Smriti Irani and BJP lawmaker from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj, were also present at the event. Speaking to India Today TV, Sakshi Maharaj said, "This is the biggest Kumbh Mela where many foreigners take part. The arrangements made for the devotees are commendable, and the credit goes to the government." Anna Hermina from the Netherlands told India Today TV, "Such a huge gathering is incredible and this shows the unity among the people across the country. I wanted to come here during the mela for the last 20 years but couldn't. Now, I'm finally here!"

The biggest attraction for the devotees was a chopper that showered flower petals for more than two hours during 'Sangam'. This year, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for the 'Kumbh', making the fair perhaps the costliest ever. Around 12 crore people are expected to attend the mela this year.

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Don't Forget To Pack These 5 Essentials For Your Next Overnight Trip

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You can't miss out on these items for your overnighter

For those making the most of your weekends by planning overnight trips, it can be both, thrilling and confusing. Thrilling because it's a new experience and confusing because it's hard to predict what you need. As an overnight trip is a short duration of time, you shouldn't overpack your backpack, but neither should you skip the main items. Whether it's for a slumber party with your pals or a relaxing staycation, here are 5 essentials you shouldn't miss out on.

1. Toiletry Kit

Even though a single night may not call for a ton of makeup products, make sure you don't forget hygiene and sanitary necessities like your toothbrush, hair products, skin products, sanitary pads and more. Toss them into a single kit for better organization.

Swirlster Says: The Tommy Hilfiger Cosmetic Pouch is large and roomy so all your toiletries can fit in. It is available for Rs 1748 from Rs 2499. Shop here.

Pouch from Tommy Hilfiger

2. Power Bank

If you aren't completely sure about your agenda or directions, you'll need to consult your phone frequently. Make sure it doesn't run out of juice at the required moment with a power bank, which is also a regular essential that shouldn't leave your handbag.

Swirlster Says: The Philips Power Bank is available for Rs 999 from Rs 1499. Shop here.

Power bank from Philips

3. Comfy Flats

Even if you've planned a fancy night out with high heels being a part of your dress code, slip a pair of comfy yet stylish flats into your bag. They won't take too much space and keep you comfy if you aren't sure of the terrain or distance.

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4. Eye Mask

If you're a light sleeper who gets disturbed easily, an eye mask can come in handy if you have company on your trip. It'll allow you to sleep without needing to turn down the lights for the rest of the party.

Swirlster Says: The Paper Plane Eye Mask is available for Rs 237 from Rs 399. Shop here.

Mask from Paper Planes

5. Layers

Whether you're coming back from a late night or aren't sure of how cold it will be, you can't go wrong with a stylish layer like a simple denim jacket. Plus, you can get much out of it even after your trip.

Swirlster Says: The Vero Moda Women's Jacket is available for Rs 3288 from Rs 4699. Shop here.

Jacket from Vero Moda

Keep these in mind to pack smartly for your next overnighter.

Top news: Demonetisation was an ‘ill-fated and ill-thought’ decision, says Manmohan Singh

The biggest stories of the day.

The Congress and other Opposition parties on Thursday criticised the central government for its decision to demonetise notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 in November 2016. On the second anniversary of demonetisation, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said November 8 is a day to remember how “economic misadventures can roil the nation for a long time”. While the Congress sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said demonetisation had been a “disaster”.

Meanwhile, thick smog enveloped Delhi and the National Capital Region a day after Diwali. There were several violations of the Supreme Court order on firecrackers, with people bursting fireworks outside of the two-hour limit mandated by the court.

Here are the biggest stories of the day:

Bengaluru: N Chandrababu Naidu meets HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy to discuss Opposition unity

Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Janata Dal (Secular) President HD Deve Gowda and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru on Thursday. Naidu is trying to unite the opposition against the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Read more here

Madhya Pradesh elections: Congress names former BJP MLA Sartaj Singh in fifth list

The Congress had declared its first list of 155 candidates on November 2, the second list of 16 candidates on November 3, the third with 13 names on November 5 and the fourth on Wednesday.

Read more here

Madhya Pradesh polls: BJP releases third list of 32 candidates, six contestants yet to be announced

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its third list of 32 candidates for the November 28 Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. With this, the party has announced 224 of the 230 candidates.

Read more here

Tamil Nadu: AIADMK workers protest against ‘Sarkar’ outside theatres in Madurai, Chennai, Coimbatore

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam workers on Thursday protested outside a theatre in Madurai demanding that certain scenes from actor Vijay’s movie Sarkar be removed. Tamil Nadu Information and Publicity Minister Kadambur C Raju had asked the filmmakers on Wednesday to remove scenes showing people throwing freebies provided by the state government into a fire.

Read more here

Sabarimala: Kerala High Court rejects plea that wanted Devaswom board to seek review of SC verdict

Petitioner MK Gopinath argued that the board, which runs the hilltop shrine, was a trustee of the Ayapppa deity and therefore had to act as per its wishes. The petitioner also urged the court to direct the state government to file an affidavit in the case, keeping in mind the interests of most Ayyappa devotees to preserve existing traditions.

Read more here

Centre trying to ‘capture’ RBI to tide over its fiscal crisis, says P Chidambaram

Congress leader P Chidambaram claimed on Thursday that the government was trying to “capture” the Reserve Bank of India to tide over its fiscal crisis. The former finance minister warned that any such attempt will be “catastrophic”.

Read more here.

Sabarimala row: BJP launches six-day rath yatra in Kerala to ‘protect’ traditions of temple

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday launched a six-day “Save Sabarimala Rath Yatra” from Kasargod district to “protect the traditions and rituals” of the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. The march will culminate near Sabarimala on November 13 when the Supreme Court is set to hear the review petitions against its order allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine.

Read more here.

DGCA asks SpiceJet, Jet Airways to check Boeing 737 MAX planes after Lion Air crash: Report

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has asked Jet Airways and SpiceJet to monitor and fix potential problems with Boeing 737 MAX planes that could lead to a “significant altitude loss” of the aircraft.

Read more here.

Chhattisgarh: CISF jawan, three civilians killed in suspected Maoist blast in Dantewada

A jawan of the Central Industrial Security Force and three civilians were killed on Thursday when suspected Maoists triggered a blast on a bus in poll-bound Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.

Read more here.

Kerala CM accuses Sangh Parivar of forcing Railways to remove mural depicting 1921 wagon tragedy

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday accused the Sangh Parivar of trying to rewrite history by forcing the Indian Railways to erase a mural depicting the 1921 wagon tragedy at Tirur railway station. The mural, part of a beautification project, was reportedly finished on Friday, but erased by Monday.

Read more here.

Demonetisation led to formalisation of India’s cash-based economy, says Arun Jaitley

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday defended demonetisation and said it was “one of the key steps in a chain of important decisions” taken by the government to formalise the economy.

Read more here.

‘When will Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis rename Aurangabad and Osmanabad?’ asks Shiv Sena

Days after the Uttar Pradesh government renamed Allahabad and Faizabad to Prayagraj and Ayodhya, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis when his government would rename Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts.

Read more here.

Demonetisation: ‘Economic misadventures can roil the nation for a long time,’ says Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said that November 8 – the day when India demonetised high-value currency notes in 2016 – is a day to remember how “economic misadventures can roil the nation for a long time”. He urged the government not to resort to any more “unorthodox, short-term” economic measures that can lead to uncertainty in the economy and financial markets.

Read more here.

Fuel prices drop again, petrol costs Rs 78.21 and diesel Rs 72.89 per litre in Delhi

The Indian Oil Corporation on Thursday said fuel prices were reducedfurther and that petrol now costs Rs 78.21 per litre in Delhi, down 0.21 paise. A litre of diesel in the Capital costs Rs 72.89 per litre, lower by 0.18 paise.

Read more here.

Air India flights delayed at Mumbai international airport after ground staff go on strike

Several Air India flights from Mumbai’s Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were delayed on Thursday following a flash strike by the contractual workers of Air India Air Transport Services Limited. The airline’s permanent employees have been deputed to normalise the flights, a spokesperson said.

Read more here.

Election Commission asks Odisha government to seal border with Chhattisgarh before polls

The Election Commission on Wednesday asked the Biju Janata Dal-led Odisha government to seal its border with poll-bound Chhattisgarh and increase monitoring. Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar said the poll panel had asked eight border district administrations in Odisha to increase monitoring to detect Maoists or people carrying alcohol, cash and other materials.

Read more here.

Thick smog in Delhi the day after Diwali as people burst firecrackers outside of mandated time

Delhi and the National Capital Region on Thursday woke up to a thick smog the day after Diwali celebrations in the region. The overall Air Quality Index at 6 am was at 325, according to the Central Pollution Control Board, but the AQI at multiple places including Anand Vihar was at 999, beyond which a deterioration in air quality cannot be measured.

Read more here.

Tigress Avni was killed in an area proposed for Anil Ambani project site, says Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday claimed he was told that the state government had killed tigress Avni in an area in Yavatmal district that is the proposed site of businessman Anil Ambani’s project.

Read more here.

Uttar Pradesh: Three-year-old girl in critical condition after youth lights cracker in her mouth

A youth allegedly forced a cracker into a three-year-old girl’s mouth and lit it leaving her with serious injuries in Uttar Pradesh’s Milak village in Meerut on Tuesday. The girl is being treated at a local hospital and is in critical condition. She needed 50 stitches and has contracted a throat infection.

Read more here.

Mining baron G Janardhan Reddy is absconding, say police

The Karnataka Police on Wednesday said Ballari-based mining baron and former Bharatiya Janata Party minister Gali Janardhan Reddy is absconding. The owner of a firm called Ambident Group has accused Reddy of demanding Rs 18 crore to bail him out of a case. Reddy was a minister in the BS Yeddyurappa government at the time.

Read more here.

Man arrested for allegedly assaulting woman pilgrim at Sabarimala temple

The Kerala Police on Wednesday arrested a man for allegedly assaulting a woman pilgrim at the Sabarimala temple, suspecting her to be of the menstrual age. A group of devotees had surrounded Lalitha Ravi, 52, and heckled her as she arrived at the hill shrine with her family members to offer prayers on Tuesday. 

Read more here.

Madhya Pradesh elections: Congress names Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s brother-in-law in fourth list

The Congress on Wednesday named 29 candidates in its fourth list of candidates for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections. The polls will be held on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11.

Read more here.

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Source: https://scroll.in/latest/901336/top-news-delhi-air-turns-hazardous-the-day-after-diwali-celebrations

Modi vs rest? Chandrababu Naidu experiments with Mahagathbandhan

"We are not interested in Narendra Modi. We are interested in the country," says Naidu.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi along with Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Photo: PTI

Eight months after his party quit the BJP-led NDA, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu joined hands with Rahul Gandhi's Congress in what he said was a step towards building a national alternative to the ruling dispensation.

"We are working for a national alternative to the BJP," he said in an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor with the India Today Group, after announcing an alliance with Rahul Gandhi's party.

He called the move a "save-India, save-democracy" endeavour. "This is save India, save the country and save democracy," the TDP chief accused the BJP government at the centre of "destroying every institution".

Naidu disagreed with suggestions that the political partnerships he was trying to stitch together aimed only at unseating PM Narendra Modi.

"We are not interested in Narendra Modi. We are interested in the country; we are interested in India," the TDP leader insisted. He recalled his role in the past in building the National Front, with V.P. Singh as Prime minister.

"As a senior politician of the country, I have made so many efforts so many times for alternative platforms. The National Front, the United Front," he recounted.

Naidu acknowledged that he was meeting leaders from a cross-section of political parties in order to firm up a broader, national-level anti-BJP coalition.

"I am talking about save India, save democracy. It is a bigger platform. I am meeting all leaders. We are working for an alternative to the BJP," he said.

Naidu reiterated that leaders he was meeting were ready to sink their political differences out of "democratic compulsions." BSP chief Mayawati and her rival Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party would work together, Naidu insisted.

"Both Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati are going to work together. There were political compulsions earlier. Today, there are democratic compulsions." Asked whether Rahul Gandhi would lead the proposed alliance, he said the question would be settled through consensus.

"We'll discuss all these things. It is a consensus," he said. He disagreed with notions the BJP had no strong alternative on the national landscape.

"Before elections, what was the great effort of the BJP? Where did they exist? At that time everybody then thought there was no alternative for the Congress.

Today, you are saying there is no alternative for the BJP. This is not correct," he said.

Asked whether he saw himself as a future leader at the centre, he said, "I am not an aspirant. But I will do my bit. I will play my role for bringing everybody (together). We will work together. Somebody will do, I will follow. Ultimately, I will do my best whatever is possible for this great nation."

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/modi-vs-rest-naidu-experiments-with-mahagathbandhan-1380786-2018-11-02

News 50: Watch top news headlines of today, November 01, 2018