News from West Bengal — Kolkata, Siliguri, North Bengal and districts
World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 focuses on breaking the silence around suicide and mental distress, urging people to “Start the Conversation” and build a more supportive, stigma-free society.
Padma Shri awardee and noted Baul singer Purna Das Baul, along with his son Dibyendu Das Baul, approached West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during a Janata Darbar in Salt Lake, seeking the recovery of two plots in Birbhum that they allege have been illegally occupied.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a statewide drive against child marriage after nearly 60,000 institutional deliveries involving girls below 18 were reported in the first six months of 2026. The government has ordered house-to-house verification and warned of arrests, prosecution and withdrawal of welfare benefits against those involved in underage marriages.
Jadavpur University has appointed History Professor Debjit Dutta as its new Registrar after Salim Box Mondal was removed from the post, bringing a change in the university’s administrative leadership.
A major food safety crackdown across Kolkata and adjoining areas has led authorities to suspend the licences of around 40 restaurants and eateries. Officials said inspections uncovered unhygienic kitchens, expired ingredients, unsuitable food colours, stale food and other violations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a new set of guidelines for Durga Puja 2026, including free electricity for Puja committees, a dry Mahashtami, a ban on DJ music and a new Mahalaya programme at Eden Gardens.
A special Abhinandan Samaroh will be held in Siliguri to honour Vani Vibhushan, Tyag Murti Sant Pandit Shambhu Sharan Lata Ji for his spiritual contribution, dedication and service.
The Centre has cleared ₹2,077.18 crore for upgrading a 31.02-km stretch of NH-327 between Bagdogra, Panitanki, Kharibari and Galgalia in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district, with major infrastructure planned for smoother and safer movement.
New cleanliness and civic rules have come into force across municipal corporations, municipalities and notified areas of West Bengal from September 1. Residents may face spot fines for spitting, littering, using banned plastic bags and urinating or defecating in public places.
The West Bengal government has stepped up efforts to restart flight operations from Behala Airport. State Sports Minister and Behala West MLA Indranil Khan met Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi and submitted a letter from Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari seeking the Centre’s support to revive the airport.
Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital has marked a significant clinical milestone with more than 57 successful kidney transplants. The achievement reflects the hospital's growing multidisciplinary renal transplant programme, bringing together specialists from nephrology, urology, anaesthesiology and cardio-thoracic and vascular surgery to provide comprehensive transplant care in North Bengal.
Bengali actor Kharaj Mukherjee and his wife have returned to Kolkata after being stranded in Nepal, where the actor had travelled for a film shoot. The couple faced uncertainty over their return amid the difficult situation in the neighbouring country.
