News
SAD! Over 150 Injured In India’s Temple Firework Explosion
Indian police detained two people Tuesday after a temple fireworks show erupted into a ferocious explosion, leaving almost a hundred people in hospital, eight in a critical condition.
Hundreds were crowded around a Hindu temple at Nileshwaram in the southern state of Kerala on Monday evening to watch the fireworks, videos posted by Indian newspapers showed.
Then, from inside a building, a surge of crackles can be heard, before a powerful ball of flame surges high into the sky.
“Around eight people are critical, and around 154 have been reported injured, out of which 97 people are admitted in hospital,” local police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah told AFP.
“They burst firecrackers very close to the place where they have stored the firecrackers,” Dyavaiah said, adding that sparks from the burst crackers reached the cache.
Indian media reports, citing officials, said the blaze caused burns to the faces and hands of those in tightly packed crowd.
Local government official K. Inbasekhar said no permission had been given for the fireworks show.
Vendors display idols of Hindu deities Ganesha and Laxmi ahead of Diwali, the festival of lights, along a street in Amritsar on October 28, 2024. (Photo by Narinder NANU / AFP)
The temple president and secretary had been taken into custody, The Hindu newspaper reported.
Religious gatherings in India have a grim track record of deadly incidents caused by safety lapses and poor crowd management.
In 2016, at least 112 people were killed after a huge explosion caused by a banned fireworks display at a temple marking the Hindu New Year.
A girl sells earthen lamps ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at a market in Amritsar on October 28, 2024. (Photo by Narinder NANU / AFP)
India is readying for its major fireworks season, a traditional celebration for the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, later this week.
The spectacular and colourful festival celebrates the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and symbolises the victory of light over darkness.
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel with their children buy firecrackers ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, during a fair in Amritsar on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Narinder NANU / AFP)
The fireworks also spew hazardous acrid smoke, and the capital New Delhi has banned firecrackers to curb hazardous air pollution.
Police are often reluctant to act against violators, given the strong religious sentiments attached to the crackers by Hindu devotees.
AFP
News
Senator Manu hosts Taraba Queens and Kings in NASS (Photos)
The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna on Tuesday hosted Taraba Queens and Kings in his office at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday.
Miss Taraba Queen Grace Sunday, the 7th titleholder, and Miss Taraba Queen Comfort Williams, the 10th titleholder, led the newly crowned state kings and queens in paying a courtesy visit to the former Deputy Governor of Taraba State.
Grace Sunday on behalf of the team expressed their appreciation for the Senator’s support and dedication to youth empowerment and community development within the Taraba Central and Taraba at large.
Senator Haruna hailed their achievements and encouraged them to continue serving as positive role models for the youth of Taraba State.
See photos below:
News
*Kemi Ayelabola Sustains Tempo On Gender Equality For Women, Salutes Efforts Of Hon. Ogbara, House Leadership*
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairperson and Convener of Asiwaju Renewed Hope (ARH’23), Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola has added her voice to the call for gender equality for women, describing it as a moral imperative, as well as a key driver of sustainable development and social progress.
Kemi, a behavioral, developmental and child/young persons care professional currently based in the Republic of Ireland also commended the leadership of the House of Representatives, especially the Speaker, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (CFR) and the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu (CON) for their deliberate efforts to involve more women in critical decision-making, particularly in elective offices across the various tiers of government.
She further applauded the House leadership for the genuine commitment they exhibited at the international legislative dialogue on women and the constitutional amendment process in Nigeria, recently organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review.
Similarly, Kemi equally gave kudos to the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara for her immense contributions in making a case for the women folks towards societal cohesion, gender parity, political participation/leadership so as to engender national development.
Olokode-Ayelabola stated this in a statement she made available to the media on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 noting that there was urgent need for collaboration and collective action by all stakeholders in tackling legal, social, religious and cultural vices and other societal challenges, that serve as impediments to women’s participation and empowerment in every strata of life.
“I must commend Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, the Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, for revisiting all the gender-based legislations of the 9th Assembly on women’s participation in politics and other sectorial matters and this is essentially crucial to building a stable and peaceful society and developing policies that respond to the specific needs of women while also creating a place of pride and dignity for them in the society through right legal and legislative frameworks.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for the women to be adequately represented in political and economic decision-making at every level,” she said.
Continuing, “As Nigeria strives for gender equality, women’s participation in political leadership remains a critical focal point. Sadly women face pitiable challenges in the political arena, therefore necessitating tailored approaches to enhance their opportunities and ensure protection from discrimination must never be compromised.
“I once appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March this year to step up the full implementation of 35% affirmative action of women in public governance and leadership; I have not backed out from this laudable advocacy and thankfully we have a compassionate and listening President who is already taking meaningful decisions in that direction and we must applaud His Excellency for that.
“We must however redouble our efforts to support women in decision-making roles, enabling them to effectively advocate for legislation and policies that advance the interests of women and girls. In alignment with these efforts, there should be legislative and constitutional reforms to ensure women’s equitable access to political spheres as voters, candidates, elected officials, political appointees and civil service executives as the case may be,” Olokode-Ayelabola stated.
News
Reps Query Works Ministry Over N1.46bn Abandoned Road Project
-
News18 hours ago
Hon. Ikwechegh tenders public apology, for humiliating delivery driver, seeks professional counseling on behavioral change
-
News17 hours ago
Northern govs move against President Tinubu’s proposed Reforms
-
News12 hours ago
Just in: Again, NNPCL Increases Fuel Pump Price To 1,025 In Lagos
-
Entertainment17 hours ago
I had 20 boyfriends when I met my husband Ned Nwoko – Regina Daniels
-
Sports19 hours ago
Man City’s Rodri Beats Vinicius, Bellingham To Win 2024 Ballon d’Or
-
News12 hours ago
Many terrorists killed after NAF airstrikes in Borno
-
News18 hours ago
FG moves to teach mathematics in Yoruba language
-
Politics8 hours ago
Protest in INEC over demand for Ondo REC redeployment