The Bekal Beach Carnival began with a vibrant start on Saturday (December 21). The event, organised by Bekal Beach Park and Red Moon Beach Park in collaboration with Bekal Resort Development Corporation (BRDC), aims to provide visitors with a mix of entertainment and cultural experiences.

The carnival was inaugurated by Uduma MLA C.H. Kunhambu, with Pallikkara grama panchayat president M. Kumaran presiding over the function. BRDC managing director Shijin Parambath, district panchayat president Baby Balakrishnan, and other officials were present.

The event features daily musical performances, street acts, pet shows, amusement rides, shopping areas, and food courts. Spread over 23 acres, the carnival will utilise Bekal Beach Park and adjacent private land, with designated parking facilities.

Stage performances by well-known artists, carnival-themed decorations, and street entertainment will be key attractions. Additional activities include a pet food stall, 30 indoor games, sky cycling, wall climbing, zip lines, speed boats, a floating bridge, and exhibitions of antiques and military equipment. A 30,000 sq ft area will house an amusement park, auto expo, food street, and shopping area.

The Red Moon Beach amusement park will host stage programmes, food stalls, and children’s activities, including a train ride and JCB play area.

The event will conclude on December 31. Entry tickets are priced at ₹50, with online purchase options available. A discounted package of 11 tickets is offered at ₹400. Front-row seats for stage performances can be reserved online.

Tripura High Court Judge Amarnath Goud, former Chief Vigilance Officer K.V. Chowdary and others during the inauguration of cancer hospital at Mangalampalem of Kothavalasa mandal in Vizianagaram district on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: ARRANGEMENT

Former Central Vigilance Commissioner K.V. Chowdary on Sunday said that affordable treatment would instill confidence among the cancer patients who were presently unable to bear expenses and fees in corporate hospitals. Along with Justice T. Amarnath Goud, Judge, Tripura High Court, he inaugurated the cancer hospital constructed by Sri Gurudeva Charitable Trust and Vijayasri Uppalapati Foundation at Mangalampalem of Kothavalasa mandal in Vizianagaram district.

Speaking on the occasion, he lauded the initiative of both chairtable organisations for constructing the hospital with around ₹10 crore to serve cancer of patients of poor and middle class families. Visakhapatnam MP Sribharath, Anakapalle MLA Konathala Ramakrishna, S.Kota legislator Kolla Lalita Kumari and others assured Sri Gurudeva Charitable Trust chairman Raparthi Jagadish Babu and Vijaysri Uppalapati Foundation president U. Venkatapati Raju of providing more facilities in the cancer hospital.

The number of registered cases in Hyderabad rose from 25,488 in 2023 to 35,944 in 2024, marking a significant increase in overall crime. The figures were released during this year’s annual round-up meeting by Police Commissioner C.V. Anand at the Integrated Command Control Centre at Banjara Hills on Sunday.

Bodily crimes witnessed a steep rise of 65.74%, increasing from 5,098 cases in 2023 to 8,447 in 2024. Grave bodily crimes also surged from 563 cases in 2023 to 700 in 2024. Property crimes followed an upward trend, jumping from 3,551 cases in 2023 to 5,328 in 2024.

Crimes against women rose by 2.39%, from 2,424 cases in 2023 to 2,482 in 2024, while crimes against children saw a concerning increase of 21.02%, growing from 371 cases in 2023 to 449 in 2024. Cases involving Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities recorded a marginal rise of 1.74%, from 172 cases in 2023 to 175 in 2024.

City police commissioner C.V. Anand said that the peaceful conduct of Parliament elections, alongside major events, festivities and religious processions is a testament to meticulous planning, seamless execution and exemplary coordination. “Special emphasis has been placed on strengthening night policing and maintaining vigil over all forms of criminal activity during night hours. Furthermore, the induction of 1,127 new police constables into the force augurs well for the city’s security, traffic management and the overall efficiency of the Hyderabad City Police,” he said.

Traffic violations

Hyderabad recorded 2,745 road accidents in 2024 as opposed to 2,548 last year. Despite enhanced safety measures, the city saw over 227 deaths in 76 fatal accidents in 2024. During the drunk and drive checks in 2024, 8,40,084 people were checked, 52,080 cases were booked and 46,468 chargesheets were filed. In 2023, 3,49,917 people were checked, 43,940 cases were booked and 45,327 chargesheets were filed.

In 2023, 19,29,698 violations were recorded for riding without a helmet, which jumped to 22,74,662 in 2024. In 2023, 1,878 people were booked for minor driving, which increased to 2,976 in 2024.

“With Hyderabad’s vehicle population now exceeding 8.8 million, traffic violations remain a pressing issue. Initiatives like ‘Operation Rope’ helped remove 200 footpath encroachments, easing congestion. However, road accidents and life-endangering violations remain critical challenges. Enhanced monitoring, public education campaigns and AI-driven traffic systems have been prioritised for 2025,” said the commissioner.

Cyber crimes

A total of 4,042 cases of cybercrime were reported, resulting in financial losses amounting to ₹296.32 crore. Investment fraud emerged as the most significant category, with 926 cases leading to losses of ₹60.02 crore. Trading fraud followed closely behind with 563 cases, resulting in losses amounting to ₹136.66 crore. OTP fraud accounted for 361 cases, costing victims ₹10.20 crore, while customs fraud saw 312 cases leading to financial damages of ₹61.29 crore. Online fraud was responsible for 278 cases, totalling ₹2.28 crore in losses.

The Hyderabad Police have made strides in addressing these cybercrimes through enforcement and recovery efforts. Approximately ₹39.3 crore was successfully recovered, representing around 13% of the total financial losses reported.

Crimes against women

The report shows a rise in crimes against women, with 2,482 cases registered in 2024 compared to 2,424 in 2023.

A total of 1,201 cases were reported during the year by She Teams. Out of these, 2,280 individuals were caught red-handed and 425 petty cases were addressed. Legal action was taken in 182 cases, resulting in FIRs being filed, while 1,957 individuals were warned and counselled. Additionally, 2,519 adult offenders and 106 minors were identified. Efforts to combat these issues include expanded SHE Teams, Safe City initiatives, and helpline support. Enhanced CCTV coverage and increased patrolling are also planned for 2025 to ensure women’s safety.

Drugs seized

The H-NEW seized drugs worth ₹10.56 crore in 29 cases, including 2,668 kg of ganja and significant quantities of cocaine and MDMA in 2024. With key arrests targeting drug networks, H-NEW has strengthened its resolve to tackle narcotics distribution effectively.

Strategic plans

To address the rising challenges, the Hyderabad City Police plans to implement AI-driven policing, predictive systems to pre-empt crime and optimize law enforcement, AI-driven traffic systems and targeted safety initiatives and strengthened expertise to combat digital crimes effectively. “These measures aim to transform Hyderabad into a safer and more secure city while addressing the complexities of urban crime and safety,” concluded the top cop.

Bad condition of a road in Madurai. Many other roads in the city are in a similar condition.
| Photo Credit: HANDOUT

Do patchwork immediately

Nowadays all roads in Madurai city and peripheral areas are in very poor condition. For instance, New Jail Road is full of potholes and vehicle users find it difficult to negotiate them. The Corporation should do the patchwork on this and other roads immediately.

G. Chittibabu,

Velmurugan Nagar

Garbage dump all along road

In Yanaimalai-Othakadai, on Narasingam Road, between the transformer located near a vacant land owned by HR & CE Department and the transformer opposite to Othakadai primary agriculture cooperative bank, garbage is dumped at four places within a 300-feet stretch. Opposite the cooperative bank, for nearly a 50 feet distance, garbage lies scattered along the roadside creating offensive smell and sight.

Besides the public, high ranking officials who visit Narasingaperumal temple and the international tourists who explore the three archaeological sites located on Yanaimalai use this road. Regular disposal of garbage will ensure hygiene and retain the good image of this area.

BBC Chandrasekar,

Arumbanur Pudhur

Alliance University hosted its 13th Convocation, conferring undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees to 1,145 students across multiple disciplines. The event was marked by the conferment of honorary doctorates upon distinguished personalities, including Governor of Goa Sreedharan Pillai, Padma Bhushan awardee V.K. Saraswat, and Padma Shri recipient Anju Bobby George, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to society.

The convocation also celebrated academic excellence with the Bank of Baroda Gold Awards, which were presented to students excelling in various fields. The ceremony also showcased achievements of the graduating class, particularly in innovation and research. Noteworthy projects included a patent for an eye sensory helmet-mounted display system for UAVs and drones, developed collaboratively by faculty and students. Graduates were also lauded for their research on space debris, which was presented at international conferences.

The new building of Yadgir City Municipal Council has been constructed at a cost of ₹4.93 crore with all modern facilities.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Yadgir City Municipal Council (CMC) will soon have a new building for proper functioning.

The old building was demolished and the new two-floor building has been constructed at a cost of ₹4.93 crore under the Nagarothan-4 scheme for 2023-24.

There was a long-pending demand from elected representatives to construct a new building after the old building almost became dilapidated.

The new building came up after officials planned a full-fledged structure with all basic facilities. It has chambers for the municipal president and vice-president, an office for the municipal commissioner, a meeting hall and toilets.

At present, the CMC is functioning from an old building on Chittapur Road, though there is a lack of facilities there.

“The new building will shortly be opened for public service. The officers are finding it difficult to function in the old building having no sufficient space,” CMC Chairperson Lalita Anpur said.

The city has been developing rapidly. Citizens come to the CMC office for routine work, including paying taxes and other property-related issues. But the present building where the CMC is functioning from does not have facilities to serve citizens.

“Construction of the new building was completed a few months ago. We don’t know why inauguration is getting delayed. Elected representatives should throw it open for public use immediately,” a resident, Sharanabasava, who came to the CMC office for some work, said.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar meets ‘Waterman of India’ Dr Rajendra Singh after the latter received the ‘Sewa Ratna Award’ at Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards 2024, for his pioneering efforts in water conservation, at Vice-President’s Enclave in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday (December 22, 2024) called for accountability of lawmakers and said people would force them to think why they were sent to Parliament. His comments came in the wake of a sharp drop in productivity in the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament. 

Addressing recipients of the Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards-2024, he said for any democracy to succeed, expression and dialogue must go hand in hand with great responsibility on both sides. “It is time for every thinking Indian to scratch his brains and to generate a deep sense of accountability with all those who are enjoined with obligations. Make no mistake, I am referring to parliamentarians,” he said, adding, “People will force you to think, why did you go there [Parliament]?”

Reflecting on former Prime Minister Charan Singh’s legacy, Mr. Dhankhar said, “Agriculture is the spine of rural development. Unless agriculture develops, the rural landscape cannot be changed. And unless the rural landscape changes, we cannot aspire to have a developed nation.”

Discussing India’s economic trajectory, he added, “Undoubtedly, at the moment, India is on the rise as never before. Indisputably, our economy is blossoming. We are the fifth largest globally and on track to becoming the third largest, ahead of Japan and Germany. But to be a developed nation by 2047, our income must increase eightfold — a daunting challenge.”

 Mr. Dhankhar also laid stress on the need for strengthening the village economy.

“The greatest market we have is agricultural produce, yet farming communities are hardly involved with it. The farming sector must be prioritised by governments for it to become an engine of economic development,” he added.

The awards were presented for contributions to agriculture, rural development, and journalism.

A four-year-old boy playing on the road was killed in Mumbai on Saturday (December 21, 2024) evening when a reversing car hit him. The accident occurred on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai (R.A.K.) Road near Ambedkar College, next to which is a slum undergoing demolition. The boy, Ayush Laxman Kinvade, with his parents and a six-year-old brother, lived in one of the huts which are yet to be demolished.

A police officer from R.A.K. Marg Police Station said, “The incident happened at 5.15 p.m. on Saturday when the child was playing on the road. 19-year-old Bhushan Sandeep Ghole was in the driver’s seat. He was reversing the car when the child was hit. Prima facie, he was not under the influence of alcohol. However, he did not flee the crime scene. He was arrested on the spot. We have registered an F.I.R. [First Information Report] under  Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita [Section] 106 (causing death by negligence) and [Section] 281 [deals with the punishment for driving or riding a vehicle on a public road in a rash or negligent manner that could endanger human life or cause injury to others]. Further investigation is under way.”

The deceased boy’s father works as a mandap decorator. “Today they had a funeral so we could not call them to the police station. We have asked them to visit on Tuesday for further enquiry. So far, no compensation has come for them,” a police officer said.