Shibu Soren’s statue unveiled on death anniv
A 14-foot-tall statue of Dishom Guru and late Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren was unveiled at his ancestral village, Nemra, in Ramgarh, on his first death anniversary. Chief Minister Hemant Soren also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth around 5 crore during a ‘Vikas Mela’ organised in the village. The event was marked by emotional tributes, with many recalling Shibu Soren’s lifelong struggle for the rights of tribal communities, the Jal, Jangal, and Zameen movement, and the creation of the separate state of Jharkhand. The ceremony was attended by several ministers.
Copter service between Deoghar and Basukinath
In a major boost to facilities for devotees during the Shravani Mela, the Jharkhand government on Tuesday launched a helicopter service between Deoghar and Basukinath in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Department. The new service will enable pilgrims to travel between the two prominent shrines in just 15 minutes, compared to more than an hour by road. The service will be operated using a Bell 407 helicopter, which has a seating capacity of one pilot and up to five passengers per flight. Besides significantly reducing travel time, the initiative offers devotees a unique aerial view of Jharkhand’s major pilgrimage destinations.
11 killed in lightning strikes in Latehar, Giridih
The monsoon remained fully active across Jharkhand on Tuesday, with several districts, including Ranchi, Chatra, Palamu, and Latehar, experiencing heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. Meanwhile, 11 people died in rain-related incidents. The casualties include two people from Latehar and nine from Giridih. The Meteorological Department has issued warnings regarding storms and lightning strikes for several districts. There is a forecast of strong winds and lightning strikes in Ranchi, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Pakur, Sahibganj, East and West Singhbhum, among others.
Mukesh Ranjan
Our correspondent in Jharkhand
mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com