Shillong Bike Rally Turns Violent; Vehicles Torched, Statues Vandalized A bike rally organized by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) in Shillong escalated into violence on Wednesday, with reports of vehicles being torched and statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose being vandalized, according to police. The protest, which passed through various parts of the city, saw multiple government vehicles attacked and partially damaged, with at least two set ablaze. The incident marked a significant escalation in the KSU's ongoing agitation over a five-point charter of demands, which includes the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, reforms in recruitment processes through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission and District Selection Committees (DSCs), and stricter regulation of migrant workers. The KSU, an influential student body, has also raised concerns about the hiring practices at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), demanding changes in the recruitment process. Separately, the union has opposed the manner in which public hearings for Shree Cement Ltd's proposed limestone mining project in East Jaintia Hills were conducted, calling for the proceedings to be declared null and void. The group had previously issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government, which was not met, prompting the decision to stage a black-flag bike rally across Shillong. During the rally, KSU members reached the main gate of the Meghalaya Secretariat and displayed protest flags, which were later removed by police.#shillong #swami_vivekananda #khasi_students_union #meghalaya_secretariat #netaji_subhas_chandra_bose
India’s Ancient Wisdom Can Help World: Gadkari Nagpur: Amid rising global conflicts and growing tendencies of division, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday emphasized that India’s ancient culture, values, and philosophy can serve as a guiding light for the world. Speaking at the inauguration of a Vedic Pathshala established by the Soham Foundation in Ghogali, Gadkari highlighted the importance of reviving India’s Vedic heritage. He stated that the knowledge of the four Vedas—Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda—forms the foundation of Indian thought, ethics, and one of the world’s oldest bodies of literature. Gadkari asserted that India’s cultural ethos transcends individual or family welfare, advocating for the well-being of the entire world. He underscored the inclusive philosophy of Sanatan Dharma, which he described as rooted in harmony and coexistence. Referring to the current global unrest, Gadkari noted that destructive tendencies are visible across nations, making India’s civilisational values a meaningful alternative. He cited Swami Vivekananda’s 1893 Chicago address as a defining example of India’s pluralistic ethos, which respects all faiths and beliefs. The minister’s remarks came at a time when geopolitical tensions and societal divisions are increasingly prevalent. Gadkari’s emphasis on ancient wisdom aligns with broader efforts to promote India’s cultural and philosophical contributions to global discourse. The Vedic Pathshala initiative, part of the Soham Foundation’s efforts, aims to preserve and propagate traditional knowledge systems, offering a counterpoint to modern challenges of fragmentation and conflict.#nitin_gadkari #soham_foundation #vedic_pathshala #sanatan_dharma #swami_vivekananda
