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Approximately 93 people, mostly patients, lost their lives to a fire that started in the basement of the privately-owned AMRI Hospital, Kolkata. Though the reason behind the blaze is yet to be ascertained, the fire reportedly started in the basement and swiftly spread up the floors. Most patients in the Intensive Care Unit were choked to death. After the incident, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed that six members of the AMRI Board, including industrialist S.K. Modi, had been arrested. The members were later produced in the Alipore Court and were remanded to 10-day police custody. Banerjee also ordered a probe into the fire after cancelling the hospital’s licence, which led to staff protests. For now, the hospital has been sealed off by the authorities. The state government has announced a `3-lakh compensation for the victims’ families or employment to the next of kin. The AMRI authorities also announced a compensation of `5 lakh for the families and promised to treat the injured for free. Allegedly, the fire was first detected at 1:00am by the people in the neighbourhood. When they tried to warn the hospital authorities, they were driven away by the staff and security, who later fled as the fire spread. Reports state that after spotting smoke pouring out of the windows, the local people forced their way in to the hospital to start an impromptu rescue operation, which led to several lives being saved. Some of these samaritans also called the police and the fire brigade. After the fire, reports of the hospital flouting several fire safety rules poured in. Allegedly, the authorities used the basement to set up an oncology department, a medicine shop, a car park and a waste dumping area when they had an NOC to use it as a car park. Also, one of the hospital structures was reportedly an unauthorised building, lacking fire-fighting equipment. However, the hospital authorities have rubbished all claims and have stated that safety equipment was in place, while regular fire drills were also held. The basement was later checked for radiation, but no leakage was found. So far, the government has ordered an official investigation, led by the state Joint Commissioner Damayanti Sen, and a judicial inquiry, headed by retired Calcutta High Court Judge Tapan Mukherjee. Their investigation has allegedly revealed that the centrally airconditioned building did not have a vertical fire stop which could have prevented smoke from the basement reaching the upper floors. In all centrally air-conditioned buildings, the maintenance shaft at every alternate floor is sealed off by the vertical fire stop that allows only cables carrying electric wires and the air-conditioning duct, which regulates the movement of smoke and air.
Tata Sons appointed Cyrus P. Mistry as its Deputy Chairman. Mistry will take over from Chairperson Ratan Tata after his retirement in December 2012. He was inducted into the Board in September 2006 and his family has 16.5 per cent stake in Tata Sons.
CRPF-Maoist encounter in West Bengal brings the end of an eraWith the death of top Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, the third wave of the Naxalite Movement has reportedly come to an end. He was killed in an encounter with Central Reserve Police Force jawans in Jhargram forest in West Midnapore, West Bengal. According to police sources, a tip-off regarding Kishenji’s presence in the area came from the local people. The Naxalite leader had allegedly convened a meeting of staff committee members there. Several Maoists sympathisers, including poet Varavara Rao, have alleged that Kishenji was killed in a fake encounter like Azad, another Maoist leader. Rao has demanded a judicial probe into the matter. After Kishenji’s death, a group of 100 Maoists gathered in Latehar and avowed to avenge their leader’s death. Following which 10 persons, including eight policemen, were killed in Latehar, when the party members attacked the convoy of MP and former Jharkhand Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari, who escaped unhurt. The Maoist top gun’s death may have dealt a body blow to the rebel leadership in West Bengal, but they still have the men and firepower for retaliatory strikes, believes the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau — a central intelligence agency. Their report details the status of squads active in Jangalmahal (forest areas of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia).
Virender Sehwag became the second batsman to hit a double century in One Day International cricket after scoring a fast and furious 219 off 149 balls against West Indies. He reached this milestone at the Holkar Stadium, Indore, on December 8, 2011. The dashing Indian opener raced to the elusive mark in 140 balls when he square-cut Andre Russell for a boundary in the 44th over of the Indian innings, thus eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar who had taken 147 balls to reach there. In the process, Virender Sehwag also became the highest individual scorer in ODI cricket — Tendulkar had scored exactly 200 off 147 balls against South Africa at Gwalior in February 2010. It was a typical Sehwag innings which included 23 boundaries and seven sixes. Sehwag lost his wicket in the 47th over miscuing a shot off Kieron Pollard’s bowling. He was caught by the substitute fielder Anthony Martins. However, by that time India were comfortably placed for a total of over 400 runs.
The Centre’s decision to allow 51 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail sector met with protests in Parliament in November. The Centre had also decided to remove the cap on the single brand format which could pave the way for global chains such as WalMart, Carrefour and Tesco to open mega stores in the country. The decision, which was hailed by the corporate sector, managed to create a deadlock in Parliament. The biggest blow came from within the United Progressive Alliance, with allies Trinamool Congress and DMK raising their voices against the issue. Financial experts predict that the entry of FDI in India will help generate employment. With global chains entering the retail market, 80 lakh new jobs will be created. However, due to the impasse in Parliament, the Centre has now decided to put the issue on hold. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, however, is hopeful of implementing the policy by March 2012 after the completion of Assembly Polls in five states. Congress scion Rahul Gandhi has come out in full support of the decision, stating that his party will remain firm on the decision. He also slammed the Opposition for trying to “sabotage” a move which will reportedly grant the Indian farmers a high return on their produce.