Latest news with #Manju
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Uncles came home to meet 9-year-old's father and drank. Then they raped her
Noida: "I just sit in one place all day." Whether it's about herself, her family, her school, or how she spends her days, nine-year-old Manju (name changed) says little. When we met her on Friday morning, she was running a temperature and had to leave soon to record her statement before the Child Welfare Commission (CWC). If it was a rare morning when she had both her parents by her side, her vacant expression betrayed nothing, her hands firmly clasped. Do you have friends, we ask her. "No," comes the reply. Do you like chocolates? "No." How about ice cream? "No." Her manner began to change soon after school closed for summer vacations on May 15. Both parents were at hand but neither noticed the girl withdrawing into a shell. Every other afternoon, the house – a small servant's quarter of a bungalow of a township in central Noida – had guests. Three of them, her father's friends. They would sit with him and drink. Her father would drink the most, till he passed out. But the friends wouldn't leave when he did. They would, instead, walk up to her next. One day, a packet of chips, another day, chocolates. When they called her "Gudiya", it would make her freeze. The touch would make her recoil. For a month, the three men sexually assaulted her. She could not confide in her alcoholic, ill-tempered father. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Laxmi Ji Idol For Wealth, Peace & Happiness Luxeartisanship Shop Now Undo Her mother was not available – busy with her other family, after she divorced and married again, though a court had ordered she would stay with her. The horrifying sexual exploitation the girl she went through would reveal itself when a doctor examined her on June 17 and asked some questions. She had fallen ill and had high fever. Her father had taken her to the district hospital in Sector 30. "When the doctor asked her if she was feeling any pain during the examination, she pointed to her chest and groin. When the doctor prodded a little further, the child revealed what happened. She said 'three uncles' had stripped and assaulted her repeatedly for nearly a month," a medical staffer at the hospital told TOI. During an examination that followed, no external injuries were found, sources said. "We informed her father and asked him to report the matter to the police," a hospital employee said. "But he began arguing with us. So, we called the police." Police took a statement from her father, and an FIR was filed on June 18. The three men identified by the girl, a security guard, a driver and a man who irons clothes, were arrested. On Friday, as Manju was produced before CWC, she was unable to give a statement. Dr KC Virmani, chairperson of CWC, told TOI, "The child was silent and is displaying signs of trauma. She has been sent to a childcare institute for the time being. She will stay there till it can be assessed that her family environment is safe for her. We have also ordered that her statement should be recorded at the magisterial court on Monday. We will be holding multiple sessions of counselling with the child to speak to her till she feels comfortable to share what happened to her. She will also be sent to a govt hospital for psycho-analysis in line with procedures for safety of children." One of police investigators in the case told TOI the girl's sudden illness was a blessing in disguise. "This case might not have come to light had she not fallen ill and the accused would have continued to exploit her," the officer said. Based on the father's complaint, a case under sections 137(2) (kidnapping) and 75 (sexual harassment) of BNS, along with relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act was registered at Sector 20 police station. After the medical exam, rape charges were added to the FIR. "Over the last month, the three accused took turns on different occasions and raped her," a police officer said.
DW
11-06-2025
- General
- DW
In Tamil Nadu, tribal groups turning forest weed into fuel – DW – 06/10/2025
In the Sathyamangalam forest in Tamil Nadu, tribal communities are cutting down the invasive species lantana camara and converting it into fuel briquettes. Lantana camara might look like just another flowering shrub, but in the forestsof India, it's a silent invader. Introduced during colonial times, this aggressive weed has overrun native vegetation and disrupted local ecosystems. But in Tamil Nadu's Erode district, a green solution is taking root. A social enterprise, TAMS Tribal Green Fuels, is working with Indigenous communities to clear the weed and convert it into biochar briquettes — a sustainable fuel alternative. Turning invasive forest weeds into jobs The initiative isn't just tackling an ecological threat — it's creating stable employment. Workers like Manju, a local tribal woman, now earn a steady income by harvesting lantana, a far cry from the sporadic agricultural work they once relied on. Since 2023, over 500 tonnes of lantana have been collected and processed. Using a combination of mechanical tools and manual techniques, workers cut, shred and transport the weed to a facility where it's turned into high-calorific biochar — ideal for tea factories and industrial boilers. The return of native plant species is showing early signs of environmental recovery, and the cleaner-burning briquettes meet India's eco-regulations. By converting an invasive species into a renewable resource, this initiative solves multiple problems at once: environmental degradation, unemployment and industrial pollution. With over 300 people already employed, the project is scaling not only in impact but also in vision. CEO Jollan Siruvadivel emphasizes long-term goals, supporting budding local entrepreneurs and building a more sustainable future. This is a powerful example of how grassroots innovation, environmental restoration and economic empowerment can work together to turn a crisis into a catalyst for change.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rly staff killed by wife's lover, aide
Lucknow: A railway employee was allegedly killed by his own wife and nephew, who were in an illicit relationship. The murder was carried out with the help of a hired killer, whom the duo paid ₹40,000—₹5,000 of which was paid in advance, police said on Wednesday. The crime occurred on the night of May 24 in Banthra, when Manju Devi, 38, reported that her husband Siddhi Prasad was missing. She claimed he stepped out around 10:30 pm and never returned. His body was found the next morning in a dry pond behind their house in Dariyapur village, bearing head injuries and strangulation marks. "At first, it appeared to be an accidental death. But inconsistencies in Manju's statement and inputs from local sources led to suspicion," said Additional DCP (south) Amit Kumawat. A joint investigation by Banthra police and the south zone surveillance cell revealed the murder was pre-planned. Manju, frustrated with her husband's gambling and alcoholism, conspired with her husband's 25-year-old nephew Akash Verma—her alleged lover—to eliminate Siddhi. The duo roped in Akash's friend Sanjay Kashyap, a Gonda native working in a namkeen factory in Lucknow. "Manju tipped off the killers when the family was away attending a wedding. Akash and Sanjay entered the house, strangled Siddhi with a rope and smashed his head with an iron pipe to ensure his death," said DCP (South) Nipun Agarwal. They then dumped the body in a nearby pond, staging it to look like an accident by placing his slippers, phone, and clothes close by. On Akash's confession, police recovered the murder weapons—rope and iron pipe—from a nearby drain. A case under Section 103(1) of the BNS was registered, later enhanced with sections 238A and 353(3) BNS based on confessions and forensic evidence. While Manju and Akash have been arrested, Sanjay Kashyap is absconding.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actress Manju Pathrose REVEALS painful experience shooting Mammootty's ‘Utopiayile Rajavu': 'I cried a lot, didn't like the costume'
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Actress Manju Pathrose has candidly revealed that her experience working in the Mammootty-starrer 'Utopiayile Rajavu' was far from joyful. In a recent interview with Kaumudi Movies, Manju said she was deeply unhappy on set, largely because of issues related to her costume. 'I can't predict what will become a controversy, but I can't lie — so I have to say, I didn't enjoy doing 'Utopiayile Rajavu'. I completed that shoot with a lot of sadness and tears,' she confessed. 'I cried so much and said I wouldn't wear it' Manju, who was still new to the film industry at the time, explained that she initially focused more on costumes than character details. She played the role of a maid in the film and was told her costumes would be sarees and nighties. However, when she arrived on set, the team had prepared a mundu and blouse — the blouse, she says, had been altered to have an extremely wide neckline. 'I cried so much and said I wouldn't wear it,' she recalled. 'Even if you look at the film now, you'll see I pulled the blouse up as much as possible. I was so scared to bend down.' Manju added that it was an emotionally difficult project, one she doesn't even remember fully. She admitted that after the film's release, she never went to watch it in theaters. Utopiayile Rajavu: Official trailer 'Everyone says Mammootty has a lot of attitude' Despite her struggles on set, Manju spoke warmly about Mammootty, the film's lead star. She rejected common perceptions that Mammootty is an arrogant figure. 'Everyone says Mammootty has a lot of attitude, but that's not true. He's a down-to-earth person who gives value to others. Honestly, I have a little extra fondness for him,' she shared. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Hans India
14-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Schools reopen across several districts in Raj
Jaipur: Amid easing tensions, schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutes, and Anganwadi centres have reopened on Tuesday in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer, and Sri Ganganagar. However, educational institutions in Jaisalmer remain closed. In Sri Ganganagar, while institutions reopened and the blackout was lifted, parents and students were confused early in the morning due to the last-minute announcement. Attendance in schools was noticeably lower than usual. Meanwhile, Maharaja Ganga Singh University (Bikaner) has announced that its exams, previously postponed from May 9, will resume from May 15. Examination Controller Rajaram Choyal confirmed that the revised schedule is available on the university's website. Further, as public life in Jodhpur appears normal with bustling markets and reopened institutions, Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Jodhpur Airport for May 13. In contrast, IndiGo Airlines has confirmed that its services to Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore, and Bengaluru will continue as scheduled. In Sri Ganganagar, markets were shut by 7 p.m. on Monday as part of a voluntary blackout appeal by the district administration. District Collector Manju has also imposed a ban on the use of Pakistani SIM cards across the district to curb cross-border communication threats. She has further withdrawn the order regarding holiday in government, non-government schools, colleges, universities, private coaching institutes and Anganwadi centres late at night. According to the new order, all types of educational institutions in the district will be able to conduct regular educational activities from May 13. Meanwhile, locals reported suspicious aerial activity in Jhunjhunu district on Monday night. District Collector Ramavatar Meena confirmed that, as a precautionary measure, a blackout was enforced in select areas.'The administration is fully alert. There is no need for anyone to panic,' he assured, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with safety protocols.
