YK MYK LINEAGE CONTINUES: PEOPLE HAVE NO ISSUE WITH SUCCESSION OPINION Rs. 3 KOLKATA SUNDAY, 2 JANUARY, 2022 PG- 8, YEAR— 8, ISSUE— 222 (RNI NO: WBENG / 2014 / 56803) SPORTS IN 2022: HERE’S WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO NATION Morning India Massive fire claims 1 Fire at the chemical factory on Saturday MI NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA: A terrible fire broke out at Kaikhali in North Kolkata on the first day of the New Year. The security guard of the factory died after being severely burnt in the fire. According to sources, he was trapped inside because of the fire. His body was recovered by firefighters on Saturday afternoon. On the first morning of the year, black smoke could be seen coming out of a paint factory at Kaikhali. Within moments the whole area was covered in smoke. The fire also spread to a nearby factory. It triggered excessive panic in the locality. However, 17 fire tenders brought the fire under control by making continuous efforts since morning. Firefighters are still checking to see if there is a fire in the factory's pockets. Cooling off process also went on simultaneously when firefighters discovered a burnt body lying inside the factory. According to local sources, the security guard of the factory was not found since morning. His body was recovered in the afternoon. The name of the deceased is Kanai Santra (68). The agency through which he was hired has also been contacted. Local MLA Aditi Munshi rushed to the spot after receiving the news of the incident. State Fire Minister Sujit Basu also came. He examined the situation. The fire is currently under control. There was a little problem with the water. It could not be carried to the factory. He also said that the wall would be broken to put out the fire of the nearby factory. Meanwhile, the wall of Dum Dum Airport is located right next to the paint factory. According to airport sources, the fire did not disrupt flights. Mamata greets workers, supporters on TMC Foundation Day MI NEWS SERVICE MI NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday extended her wishes to workers, supporters, and members of the MaaMati-Manush family on the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s 23rd Foundation Day and vowed to continue her fight for the people. Mamata Banerjee had formed the TMC on January 1, 1988, after breaking away from Congress. "On TMC Foundation Day, I extend my best wishes to all our workers, supporters and members of the Maa-Mati-Manush family. Our journey began on January 1st, 1998 and since then we have been committed in our efforts towards serving people and ensuring their welfare," Mamata Banerjee tweeted. "As we step into yet another year, let us promise to stay united in our fight against all injustices. Let us treat each other with kindness and respect. Let us work towards strengthening the federal structure of this nation. I thank you all for your blessings," she tweeted. East Bengal appoint Mario Rivera as head coach People visit Victoria Memorial on occasion of New Year's Day in Kolkata on Saturday 12 dead, 14 injured in stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine JAMMU: Twelve people were killed and 14 injured on Saturday in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. Officials of the shrine said the stampede occurred when a large number of devotees entered the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan without permission slips. “Large number of devotees had come to pay obeisance at the shrine to mark the new year. The stampede occurred around 2.45 a.m. today. “It took place outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Senior officials of the government and the shrine board are on the spot. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the relief and rescue operation,” officials said. “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to JK LG Shri @manojsinha_ Ji, Ministers Shri @DrJitendraSingh Ji, @nityanandraibjp Ji and took stock of the situation”, Modi said on his official Twitter handle. The Prime Minister’s Office also announced an amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the dead from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who lost their lives due to the stampede. MI NEWS SERVICE GOA/KOLKATA: SC East Bengal on Saturday appointed Mario Rivera as their head coach for the remainder of the 2021/22 Indian Super League season. The 44-year old Rivera replaces Jose Manuel Diaz, with whom the club had parted ways last month and former India international Renedy Singh was given charge as interim coach. The Spaniard Rivera had guided East Bengal to a second-place finish in the ILeague two seasons back. He worked with former East Bengal coach Alejandro Menéndez Garcia as his deputy for 32 games in the 2018/19 season before he was asked to take over the reins. "We are happy to appoint him as our head coach. Mario has been part of East Bengal previously and his experience in Indian football will be beneficial to the team for the rest of the season," said SC East Bengal CEO Col. Shivaji Samaddar. Rivera, a UEFA Pro Licence holder, will undergo a mandatory quarantine period as per ISL rules and will take charge of the team thereafter. SC East Bengal, who are languishing at the bottom of the points table with just four points in eight games, will take on Bengaluru FC at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday. Country’s economic growth rate over 8 per cent, foreign investment at record high: PM NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the country’s economic growth rate is over 8 per cent. Speaking at the release of the 10th installment of financial benefit under PM-KISAN, the Prime Minister said that the foreign investments, forex reserves, and GST collections are also at record high levels. “Today the growth rate of our economy is more than 8 per cent. Record foreign investment has come to India. Old records have also been broken in the GST collection. We have also set new paradigms in the matter of exports and especially agriculture,” said PM Modi. PM Modi said that it is time to start a “new vibrant journey” of the country’s resolves in the year India will complete 75 years of independence. “Today, as we I will work according to party instructions: Babul Supriyo are entering the new year, taking inspiration from our efforts of the past year, we have to move towards new resolutions. This year we will complete 75 years of our independence. This is the time to start a new vibrant journey of the country’s resolves, to move forward with renewed vigour,” he added. During the event, the Prime Minister also released an equity grant of more than Rs 14 crores to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will benefit more than 1.24 lakh farmers. As per an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, this is in line with the government’s continued commitment and resolve to empower grassroots-level farmers. KOLKATA: Babul Supriyo has shown interest in campaigning at Asansol. The former MP said, 'I know exactly where to work in Asansol. I'll go there. I will help according to party’s need '. In 2014, Babul Supriyo was elected MP from Asansol on a BJP ticket. He also won the 2019 elections. He was the Minister of State in the Modi government for seven consecutive years. But when he was dropped from the Union Cabinet after winning a second term, Supriyo hinted at quitting politics in a Facebook post. In fact, he did not hide the fact that losing the ministry was behind the decision. But the BJP tried to convince the then MP of the party. Even in the Bhowanipore by-election, his name was in the list of star campaigners. Although Supriyo claimed that he would not campaign for the party. Eventually he joined the TMC holding the hand of Abhishek Banerjee. The city from which the MP was elected twice in a row will go to the polls early in the New Year. On asking how is he looking forward to that, Babul Supriyo said 'I went there. In Asansol, I had talks with the TMC workers who are working in the lower level. I am prepared to work the way the party instructs me.” On being asked about him switching party, he said, 'In politics, people change parties. Just like in football. It happens everywhere. When I do a work, I do it with all my heart. When I was in the BJP I was doing it whole-heartedly and when I left it I left it whole-heartedly. In Asansol, the way the party asks me to work I will work like before.”