Author: Indmedia

Stephen S C Hsu, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Chennai The Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Chennai (TECC), established in 2012, serves as Taiwan’s de facto diplomatic and consular mission, with jurisdiction over five South Indian states, three Union Territories and Sri Lanka. Stephen S C Hsu, who assumed charge as director-general of TECC in June 2025, said in an interview that besides providing consular services, TECC has strengthened its role in economic cooperation, educational exchanges, cultural understanding and people-to-people connectivity. Excerpts:What aspects of the State have impressed you the most?The combination of industrial…

Gandhinagar: To improve delivery of welfare schemes to tribal communities outside Gujarat’s traditional tribal belt, the state govt has appointed Class I officers of the tribal development department as member secretaries of district-level committees in four non-tribal districts: Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, Gir-Somnath and Junagadh.The move, implemented from the 2026-27 financial year under the Mukhyamantri Adimjuth Sarvangi Utkarsh Yojana, is intended to streamline planning, approvals, monitoring and implementation of development works for the Padhar and Siddi communities, whose settlements are scattered across non-tribal areas.Assistant commissioner (Class I), tribal development, Ahmedabad, will serve as member secretary for Ahmedabad and Surendranagar, while the one…

The same pavilion was used during the Independence Day programme on Aug 15, when political leaders, senior officials and other guests were present Gurgaon: A portion of the roof over the cricket pavilion at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Sector 38 collapsed around 7.15am on Sunday, raising concerns over the safety of players and the maintenance of the nearly two-decade-old structure. No injuries were reported.The collapse occurred at a time when a large number of players had arrived for morning practice — cricket players around the pavilion, and others engaged in yoga on the premises. No one was present directly…

Guwahati: Assam Police detained nine suspected Bangladesh nationals in Biswanath district on Sunday, officials said.Seven of those detained are women. The arrested persons were identified as Sahara Khatun, Nurzamal Sheikh, Bijal Khatun, Akbar Ali, Champa Ful, Shahida Khatun, Fatema Khatun, Rahima Begum and Mamuni Begum.“Based on that information, we detained nine people whom we suspect are Bangladesh nationals and brought them in. We are currently verifying their identities and documents. After verification, we will proceed according to the law,” Biswanath SSP Asif Ahmed said.The operation covered Jinjia, Behali and Biswanath Chariali, where the suspects allegedly lived.“Some of them claim to…

Kanpur: The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) celebrated ‘Metro Divas’ on Saturday to mark the completion of nine years since the commencement of metro operations in the state.The UPMRC commenced its first metro train service in Lucknow on Sept 5, 2017. To mark the occasion, a special photo exhibition showcasing the journey and achievements of the metro, along with cultural programmes, was organised at Hazratganj metro station.Four Kanpur Metro employees were also honoured with MD Medals for their outstanding services. Senior officials from all three metro services of UPMRC: Kanpur, Lucknow and Agra Metro were present on the occasion.UPMRC…

Wakad police arrest gang of thieves involved in thefts at hypermarket stores Pune: The Wakad police have busted a seven-member gang from Mumbai that allegedly stole dry fruits and ghee pouches from hypermarket chain stores in Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune over the past month.The police team, led by senior inspector Vitthal Salunkhe, recovered stolen goods, an autorickshaw and a car, collectively worth Rs 7.21 lakh, from the gang.Assistant inspector Shriniwas Ghadge of the Wakad police told TOI that a loss prevention officer of the hypermarket had lodged a complaint stating that a gang, including women, had stolen dry fruits and…

Canacona: Art and culture minister and local MLA Ramesh Tawadkar said about 95% of the work of underground power lines has been completed in Canacona. Asphalting of all roads and the beautification work of Canacona town, and the development of the fish market have also started, he said. The beautification will be completed by next year, the minister said.The work of four-laning the Karmal Ghat road is underway, while important projects like Ravindra Bhavan in Canacona have been completed, Tawadkar said at the ‘Seva Sankalp Padyatra’ organised by local BJP unit on the occasion of PM Modi’s 25 years in…

From traffic snarls to CHB grievances, residents raise a range of civic issues during an interaction with UTadministrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday Chandigarh: Mounting traffic congestion, rising law and order concerns, unresolved Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) issues and pressure from unchecked peripheral growth emerged as key concerns during an interaction between Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and residents’ representatives Sunday.At a meeting convened by the Federation of Sector Welfare Associations of Chandigarh (Foswac), residents raised a host of civic and governance issues, ranging from inadequate parking and public transport to deteriorating roads, waterlogging and maintenance of…

Lucknow: A 30-year-old woman and her newborn died after receiving treatment at an illegal facility allegedly operating from a room attached to a medical store in Rampur Mathura in Sitapur, triggering a protest and prompting action by district health authorities.The woman, identified as Savitri, wife of Ashok and a resident of Basavanpur village, was taken to a private centre near Parvatpur crossing on Thursday after she went into labour. Her family alleged the facility was being run illegally by Ajeet Singh, described by them as a quack, under the cover of Vidya Medical Store.Family members said the newborn died during…

Railway officials inspect the Mahananda Express after its two coaches derailed near Ara railway station on Sunday Patna/Ara: Passengers of the Alipurduar-New Delhi Mahananda Express (15483) had a narrow escape after two coaches of the train derailed near Ara railway station under Danapur division of the East Central Railway (ECR) around 4am on Sunday. No passenger or railway staff was injured in the incident.According to ECR chief public relations officer Saraswati Chandra, a preliminary investigation found the loco pilot had allegedly overshot a signal. After realising the signal was not meant for the train, the loco pilot moved it backwards…