The Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest active football tournament, will mark the beginning of the Indian football season for 2024-25. Starting on July 27th in Kolkata, the tournament will feature 24 teams from the Indian Super League, I-League, Services and other invitational sides, with international teams also expected to participate. Matches will be held across four cities: Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong and Kokrajhar, with the top eight teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Sanjida Qadar, a teacher at LJD Law College in Kolkata, resigned in protest after being asked to remove her hijab at work. The college initially claimed a misunderstanding but later clarified that there was no prohibition on religious attire. Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury condemned the college’s actions and questioned possible political influence. The teacher is scheduled to resume work after further discussions with the administration.
The impending landfall of Cyclone ‘Remal’ has caused extensive disruptions in air, rail, and road transportation in Kolkata and other parts of South Bengal. Kolkata Airport has suspended flight operations for 21 hours, while the Eastern and South Eastern Railways have cancelled several trains. The cyclone’s strong winds and heavy rainfall have also affected bus, taxi, and three-wheeler services. The landfall of the storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to coastal districts on Sunday and Monday.
Cyclone Remal has battered Kolkata and Chattogram, resulting in extensive flight disruptions, leaving thousands stranded. Kolkata Airport faced a 21-hour shutdown, while Chattogram Airport closed for eight hours, impacting numerous domestic and international flights. Airlines such as Indigo, Air India, and AirAsia faced significant cancellations, causing frustration among passengers due to lack of timely notifications. The Airport Authority of Kolkata reported the cancellation of nearly 400 flights, including both domestic and international services. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines or travel agents for updates and potential compensation for unexpected expenses.
Anwarul Azim Anar, a Bangladeshi MP, was brutally murdered in Kolkata, India. Investigators have arrested the butcher involved in the crime and revealed the chilling details of the planning and execution. The plot was hatched in Bangladesh in January, with accomplices staying in Kolkata for four days prior to the murder. The MP’s body was strangulated and dismembered, with the aim of hiding his identity. The crime was executed in a rented flat, with the bathroom used for the gruesome act. After the murder, the culprits cleaned the scene and consumed food and alcohol.
The investigation into the murder of Mohammad Anwarul Azim, the Bangladeshi Awami League party leader, has been expanded by the forensic team. Azim, who was also a member of the Bangladesh parliament, entered India on May 12 and was discovered dead on May 22.
Heavy rainfall has lashed parts of Kolkata following a ‘Remal’ alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. A low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal on May 22nd, which is expected to intensify into a depression by May 24th and further strengthen, reaching the northeast Bay of Bengal by May 25th evening. The IMD forecasts moderate showers in various districts of West Bengal and Odisha on Saturday, May 25th, while isolated areas may experience heavy rainfall. The weather office also predicts rough sea conditions over the Bay of Bengal from May 23rd onwards, with squally weather and strong winds. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea during this period.
Anwarul Azim Anar, a member of Parliament from Bangladesh, has been found murdered in Kolkata, India. Anar, who was receiving medical treatment in India, had been missing since May 13. The motive for the murder is still unknown, but authorities believe it was a planned attack by Bangladeshi nationals.
Anar, a member of Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League, was last seen on May 13 when he went to a home in Bidhannagar near Kolkata for a medical check-up. His family said he had intended to travel to Delhi, but there has been no physical presence or direct contact with him since May 13.
A missing complaint was filed on May 18, and on Wednesday, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced that Anar had been found murdered in Kolkata. Khan said that Indian police are cooperating with the investigation and that an SIT has been formed to start an investigation.
The Oberoi Grand, an iconic landmark in Kolkata, has been recognized for its historical and cultural importance. The hotel, known for its luxurious accommodations and neo-classical architecture, is set to receive a blue plaque from INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) marking its 40th anniversary.
The Gariahat intersection in Kolkata, a hub for chess enthusiasts, is a microcosm of the city’s uncertain political mood ahead of the 2024 general elections. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity, voters express wariness towards the BJP due to its leadership comprising former members of the ruling Trinamool Congress. While Mr. Modi is expected to secure a third term, the outcome in West Bengal remains unclear, as people hesitate to support the BJP despite their dissatisfaction with the Trinamool’s leadership.
