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Jaishankar condemns Sydney terror attack, assures Australia of India's support

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday spoke to his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, and conveyed India's condolences over Sydney's Bondi Beach terror attack, in which 15 innocent people were killed.   In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "Just spoke to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Conveyed our deepest condolences about the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and offered our fullest support." According to police, the Pakistani-origin father-son duo, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Naveed Akram, opened fire at the 'Chanukah by the Sea' event, which was organised to celebrate the first day of the Jewish festival, on Sunday at Bondi Beach. The attack resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including the gunman Sajid. Police said the youngest victim was a 10-year-old girl who later died at a children's hospital, while the oldest victim was 87 years old. Sajid was fatally shot by police during the attack, while the second shooter, his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, was wounded and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. The attack is now being described as the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades, in a country known for its strict gun control laws. Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the terror attack targeting the Jewish community and offered condolences to the families of the victims. He also expressed India's support in the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism. "Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones," PM Modi posted on X. "We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

15 December,2025 11:36 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. (Pic/PTI)

PM Modi's three nation tour to boost trade, invesment ties

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman on Monday, bolstering economic and trade ties is among the key agenda items of his visit.  PM Modi's visit is expected to open far-reaching opportunities to enhance the country’s economic footprint across West Asia and Africa. Last week, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Oman, aimed at deepening trade and investment relations between the two countries. The approval also came after Oman's Shura Council approved the Gulf nation’s proposed FTA with India. The talks for the trade agreement, officially termed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), formally began in November 2023. India and Oman share a long-standing and multidimensional Strategic Partnership supported by strong trade ties, energy cooperation and cultural linkages. The economic and commercial relations between India and Oman are robust and buoyant. The bilateral trade between the two nations reached $8.947 billion during FY 2023-2024, and for FY 2024-25, it stood at $10.613 billion, according to an official statement. Bilateral investment flows have also been strong, as reflected in numerous joint ventures established both in India and Oman. Moreover, there are over 6,000 India-Oman joint ventures present in Oman, estimated to be adding $7.5 billion to Oman’s economy in the form of total capital investment over a long period. PM Modi will hold high-level talks with the Sultan of Oman in Muscat and discuss strengthening the Strategic Partnership as well as the strong commercial and economic relationship between the two nations. Notably, India is Jordan's third-largest partner, with bilateral trade at around $2.8 billion. Jordan is a key supplier of fertilisers to India, particularly phosphates and potash. Although the size of India-Ethiopia bilateral trade was around $550 million in FY25, India was the second largest trading partner for the African nation. India’s key exports include primary and semi-finished iron and steel products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, fertilisers and machinery, among others. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

15 December,2025 11:34 AM IST | New Delhi [India] | IANS
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Congress targets Centre over air pollution, calls for long-term action

Asserting that India simply cannot afford to pollute its way to prosperity, the Congress on Monday said increased pollution need not and must not be the price the people are compelled to pay for faster growth, reported news agency PTI. The opposition party also stressed that the Graded Response Action Plans (GRAPs) cannot remain the dominant focus of clean-air action. In a statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said these plans are essentially reactive, with the emphasis being on crisis management and not crisis avoidance. "We need tough multi-sectoral actions with scale and speed round the year and not just in the winter October-December months," Ramesh said, reported PTI. On December 9, 2025, the Modi Government declared in the Rajya Sabha that "there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of death/disease exclusively due to air pollution", he said. "This is the second time that it has shown shocking insensitivity by denying that air pollution contributes to mortality or morbidity. It had previously made the same claim on 29th July 2024 also in the Rajya Sabha," Ramesh said, reported PTI. The most recent publicly available scientific evidence reveals that in early July 2024, a study published in the prestigious Lancet journal showed that 7.2 per cent of all deaths in India are associated with air pollution - about 34,000 deaths each year in just 10 cities. The evidence also reveals that in August 2024, a study by the Mumbai-based International Institute of Population Sciences used government data from the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS V) to show that in districts where air pollution exceeds National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAOS), there is a 13 per cent increase in premature mortality for adults and around 100 per cent increase in mortality for children, Ramesh said. "In December 2024, a study published in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that long-term exposure to polluted air contributes to roughly 15 lakh additional deaths in India each year compared with a scenario in which the country met the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended safe-exposure limits," he said, reported PTI. In November 2025, a report prepared by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, USA found that about 2 million deaths in India were linked to air pollution-a 43 per cent jump since the year 2000, Ramesh said. About 70 per cent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease deaths were on account of air pollution, he said. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) were last promulgated in November 2009 after wide consultations, Ramesh said. "They were considered progressive then. But today it needs to be updated and, more importantly, ruthlessly enforced. The present standard for PM2.5 is 8 times the WHO guideline for annual exposure and 4 times the guideline for 24-hour exposure," he said, reported PTI. Despite the launch of the National Clear Air Programme (NCAP) in 2017, PM2.5 levels have continued to rise and every single Indian lives in areas where these levels far exceed the WHO guidelines, he said, adding that the NCAP itself needs an overhaul. GRAPs cannot remain the dominant focus of clean-air action: Jairam Ramesh "The Graded Response Action Plans (GRAPs) cannot remain the dominant focus of clean-air action. These plans are essentially reactive, with the emphasis being on crisis management and not crisis avoidance," Ramesh said. "We need tough multi-sectoral actions with scale and speed round the year and not just in the winter October-December months. The Air Pollution (Control and Prevention) Act, 1981 that was more than adequate for four decades now, may itself need to be revisited since a public health emergency was not the background to the enactment of that law," he said, reported PTI. The National Green Tribunal established in October 2010 by an Act of Parliament with the support of all political parties has, sadly, been emasculated over the past decade and needs a fresh and renewed lease of life, Ramesh claimed. He said emission norms that have been relaxed for power plants and other changes made in laws and regulations need to be rolled back. "India simply cannot afford to pollute its way to prosperity. Increased pollution need not and must not be the price the people of the country are compelled to pay for faster growth," Ramesh said, reported PTI. Delhi choked under a thick blanket of smog on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, which falls in the higher spectrum of 'severe' category. (With inputs from PTI)

15 December,2025 11:13 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
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Delhi airport operations hit as dense fog reduces visibility

Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were disrupted on Monday morning as dense fog significantly reduced visibility, marking the season’s first major spell of winter fog in the national capital. Several departures were delayed as airlines adjusted their schedules to ensure safe operations amid challenging weather conditions, reported news agency IANS. Delhi International Airport Limited issued a passenger advisory, cautioning that dense fog could lead to disruptions in flight operations. The airport operator said it is working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience and advised passengers to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. "Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused,” the airport advisory said, reported IANS. Airlines issue travel advisories IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, stating that reduced visibility around the airport was impacting flight movements and that some departures could take longer than usual. The airline assured passengers that its ground staff and operations teams were fully deployed to assist travellers and manage schedules efficiently during the disruption. Taking to the social media platform X, IndiGo said, "Low visibility and fog over Delhi will impact flight schedules. We're keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support." "Here's hoping clearer skies help us serve you better soon and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time," IndiGo added. Air India also issued a travel advisory and said, "Poor visibility due to dense fog is impacting flight operations in Delhi and parts of Northern India. Please check your flight status at: http://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport." The advisory comes at a time when IndiGo flights have faced multiple operational challenges in recent weeks, including weather-related delays and air traffic congestion at major hubs. The airline has repeatedly urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport to avoid inconvenience. Delhi once again woke up to a thick layer of smog, as the air quality remained in the 'severe' category across the National Capital Region (NCR), raising serious health concerns for residents. At the same time, visibility dropped sharply in several parts of the region. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 457 as of 6 am, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi. Visuals from across the national capital showed a dense haze suspended in the air, making it difficult to see even a short distance ahead and affecting early morning movement. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a dense fog warning for the morning and forenoon hours, with such conditions reported from the Safdarjung observatory. The maximum temperature in the national capital city was recorded at 23 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature settled at 8 degrees Celsius. Pollution levels remained alarming across multiple monitoring stations in Delhi. In the Akshardham area, the AQI was recorded at 493, which falls under the 'severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Similar conditions were observed in Dwarka Sector-14, where the AQI stood at 469. (With inputs from IANS)

15 December,2025 10:46 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
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Thick smog blankets Delhi-NCR as air quality stays in severe zone

Delhi once again woke up to a thick layer of smog on Monday, as the air quality remained in the 'severe' category across the National Capital Region (NCR), raising serious health concerns for residents, reported news agency IANS. At the same time, visibility dropped sharply in several parts of the region. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 457 as of 6 am, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, reported IANS. Visuals from across the national capital showed a dense haze suspended in the air, making it difficult to see even a short distance ahead and affecting early morning movement. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a dense fog warning for the morning and forenoon hours, with such conditions reported from the Safdarjung observatory. The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 23 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature settled at 8 degrees Celsius. Pollution levels remained alarming across multiple monitoring stations. In the Akshardham area, the AQI was recorded at 493, which falls under the 'severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Similar conditions were observed in Dwarka Sector-14, where the AQI stood at 469. At Wazirpur, Rohini and Ashok Vihar, the 24-hour average AQI touched 500, the maximum level recorded by monitoring instruments, underscoring the gravity of the pollution crisis gripping the city, reported IANS. According to the pollution board, air quality is categorised as 'moderate' when the AQI ranges between 101 and 200, 'poor' between 201 and 300, and 'very poor' between 301 and 400. When the AQI exceeds 400, air quality is classified as 'severe'. For mitigation measures, levels of 450 and above are termed 'severe plus', though CPCB values do not go beyond 500, a threshold already considered extremely hazardous by the agency. GRAP Stage-IV invoked in Delhi With Delhi's air quality plunging well beyond critical limits, the Commission for Air Quality Management activated Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan across the entire National Capital Region. The highest level of restrictions comes into force when the AQI crosses 450 and is aimed at preventing further deterioration while reducing public exposure to toxic air. Under GRAP Stage-IV, stringent measures are now in place, including a complete halt on construction and demolition activities across Delhi-NCR. Stone crushers, mining units and associated operations have also been ordered to shut down, as they significantly contribute to dust and fine particulate matter. Restrictions on vehicles have been further tightened, particularly targeting polluting four-wheelers on major urban roads, as authorities scramble to curb emissions amid the worsening air quality situation. (With inputs from IANS)

15 December,2025 09:19 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Lionel Messi (centre) is surrounded by security personnel at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. Pics/PTI

Only permit holders allowed on main ground during Messi’s Delhi visit: DDCA

Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) Secretary Ashok Sharma said the police are taking strict measures to ensure security during Lionel Messi's visit, following the chaotic opening event in Kolkata. Messi is set to conclude his GOAT India Tour 2025 in New Delhi on Monday and will participate in multiple events at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Sharma further added that the decision has been made to restrict access to the main ground, allowing only those with permits to enter. This move aims to prevent a repeat of the Kolkata incident. Messi's Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour descended into chaos on Saturday as fans who paid high ticket prices at Salt Lake Stadium's event began throwing bottles and attempting to break the gates between the stands after the Argentine legend left early. Angry fans resorted to vandalism at the Kolkata stadium, alleging poor event management and criticising VIPs and politicians for hogging the football icon's attention and time to the extent that fans did not even get a glimpse of Messi. "The first event that took place in Bengal yesterday, keeping that in mind, we had a meeting with the DCP of our area yesterday. We have made a difficult decision: no one will be allowed on the main ground. Whoever has the permit, they will go. And the way there was a complaint and the way the whole atmosphere was ruined, so looking at that, the police are quite alert," Ashok Sharma, DDCA Secretary, told ANI. Sharma also clarified that the DDCA has rented out the Arun Jaitley Stadium to an event company and is providing the required facilities. He emphasised that the event company is responsible for managing the event and its logistics. "We have given up our ground on rent, and we are giving them what they want. But every responsibility is of the event company that has taken the ground. And as far as his arrival is concerned, Delhi welcomes everyone with open arms," Sharma added. However, Messi's visit to Hyderabad was a fun experience for everyone involved. He took part in a 7-on-7 exhibition football match featuring the state's Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, soaked up the love from a passionate, loud audience, and met the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Similarly, it was a memorable day for cricket and football fans alike present at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium as Lionel Messi graced the venue with his presence as a part of his 'GOAT India Tour' 2025 and met Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri and the country's 'Bharat Ratna', the cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

15 December,2025 08:26 AM IST | New Delhi | ANI
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Bengaluru: Four arrested for impersonating cops and robbing man

Four people have been arrested for allegedly posing as police and robbing a man of over Rs 1 lakh, officials said on Sunday. According to the police, the robbery had occurred at the Vidyaranyapura police station limits on December 7. "A person had filed a robbery case stating that when he was alone at home on December 7, three people came to his house and one of them was wearing a Police Sub Inspector uniform, while the other two claimed to be crime constables. They accused the person of indulging in illegal activities like selling ganja," Sajeeth VJ, DCP North East Division Bengaluru said. Speaking to reporters, he said, they threatened him, and took Rs 55,000 cash that was at home and Rs 87,000 through online transfer. The accused persons also searched the house and made a video recording, he said. A case was registered based on a complaint, and four persons have been arrested in this regard. Police have seized a car and a two-wheeler and Rs 45,000 cash from the accused. The accused have been identified as Mallikarjun S (27), Promod V (30), and Vinay H T (36), who posed as police, and Hruthvik P (24), who assisted them, police said. The robbery was allegedly planned based on a tip-off from Hrithvik, who had been observing the victim. According to the DCP, the main accused, Mallikarjun, who is from Ballari district, was a PSI aspirant and had also written the exam for the post in 2021-22, but did not succeed. Since then, he had been posing as a police officer, wearing a uniform, in his village near Siraguppa in Ballari. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

15 December,2025 08:20 AM IST | Bengaluru | PTI
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SC advises hybrid hearings as Delhi-NCR air quality turns 'very poor'

In view of prevailing weather conditions and deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Supreme Court has advised members of the Bar and parties-in-person to avail the hybrid mode of appearance, wherever convenient, for matters listed before the apex court. A circular issued by the Supreme Court Registry said that the advisory was issued on the directions of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, urging the use of video-conferencing facilities in appropriate cases, if convenient.  The circular has been circulated to the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, all notice boards, and other concerned authorities for wider dissemination.  Earlier this month, the CJI Kant-led Bench had expressed strong concern over Delhi’s toxic air, making it clear that it could not remain a "mute spectator" while millions of the national capital's residents continue to breathe polluted air. While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on controlling air pollution in Delhi, the Bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to submit an "actionable" report addressing the recurring air crisis.  The CJI Kant-led bench had also cautioned against oversimplifying the causes of pollution by singling out stubble burning alone, stressing that multiple factors, including construction activity and vehicular emissions, contribute to the problem.  "We do not want to comment on stubble burning, as it would be incorrect to burden the people who are hardly represented in the court," the apex court had observed.  In an earlier hearing, the apex court had emphasised the need for a "long-term strategy" to tackle Delhi-NCR's recurring air pollution crisis instead of short-term responses every winter.  "You can give suggestions, but they cannot be for two days, one week, or three weeks. We need a long-term solution so that this problem reduces gradually every year," CJI Kant-led Bench had told the Centre.  Last month, Justice P.S. Narasimha had urged lawyers to shift to virtual hearings in view of Delhi’s "very, very serious" pollution levels, and cautioned that the situation could cause "permanent damage".  "Situation is very, very serious! Why are you all appearing here?" Justice Narasimha had remarked.  "We have the virtual hearing facility. Please avail it. This pollution will cause permanent damage," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

15 December,2025 08:12 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pic/PTI

PM Modi to begin three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a three-country tour starting Monday, which will include Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman. PM Modi will arrive in Jordan on Monday at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein. During the two-day visit to the Hashemite Kingdom, Prime Minister Modi will meet King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan, and exchange perspectives on regional issues. This visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-Jordan bilateral engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity, and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability. In the second leg of the visit, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister Modi will pay a State Visit to Ethiopia from December 16. This will be PM Modi's first visit to the African nation. "He will be holding wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of India–Ethiopia bilateral ties. As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation," read a statement issued by the MEA. In the final leg of his visit, at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, Prime Minister Modi will visit Oman from December 17-18. "India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership underpinned by centuries-old bonds of friendship, trade linkages and strong people-to-people ties. The visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and follows the State visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023. This visit will be an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," the MEA stated. This will be PM Modi's second visit to Oman. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

15 December,2025 08:08 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
The Atulyam-4 hostel building and the adjoining canteen complex stand abandoned, with entry strictly prohibited. File pic/Nimesh Dave

BJ Medical College hostel still bears scars of deadly Ahmedabad plane crash

Six months after the AI-171 plane crash, the BJ Medical College hostel complex in Ahmedabad stands as a haunting reminder, with its charred walls and burnt trees replacing the once lively chatter of students with an eerie stillness. Scattered across the crash site are grim remnants of daily life - burnt cars and motorcycles, twisted beds and furniture, charred books, clothes and personal belongings. The Atulyam-4 hostel building and the adjoining canteen complex stand abandoned, with entry strictly prohibited. For residents near the site, memories of the incident still linger, casting a lasting shadow on their lives, with some of them saying they are still afraid to look up at the sky when an aircraft passes overhead. On June 12, Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed moments after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 persons. The aircraft slammed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex in Meghaninagar, turning a lively student neighbourhood into a landscape of ruin and grief. “The area now lies very silent, only a few birds chirp here,” Sanjaybhai, a security guard deployed at the premises by authorities to prevent trespassing, told PTI. Tinaben, a resident of Meghaninagar, said she never imagined something like this could happen in Ahmedabad. “Despite being close to the airport, this area always felt safe,” she said. As an aircraft roared overhead during the conversation, Tinaben paused, looked up nervously and said, “It’s still scary.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

15 December,2025 06:56 AM IST | Ahmedabad | Agencies
The survey reported that most bullying happens between the ages of 12 and 15 years. Pic/IStock

Survey finds LGBTQIA+ youth face highest discrimination at home and school

A recent survey found that LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents face the highest levels of discrimination and bullying in their own homes, schools and neighbourhoods, with activists and stakeholders urging for concerted efforts to address these issues to help them get equal opportunities. A recent survey of over 900 LGBTQ+ individuals by a Kolkata-based organisation, ‘Bridge’, which works for the rights of the community across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, reported that most bullying happens between the ages of 12 and 15 years. Many young people are forced to drop out of school, losing out on education, future employment, and income security, Bridge’s founder director Prithviraj Nath told PTI. “Even after the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2018, the NALSA judgment in 2014, and Transgender Protection Act of 2019, LGBTQ+ people continue to face systematic exclusion in education, health care, workplaces, and public life,” he said. Basic human rights still remain out of reach for many and it is extremely important that we bring to light the lived realities and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and have dialogues with the larger society towards equal rights and inclusion of the community, Nath added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

15 December,2025 06:37 AM IST | Guwahati | Agencies
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