On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping claimed that his country has not provoked a conflict or war or even occupied a single inch of any foreign land - these remarks came at a dinner on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

China: Constant nibbling at neighbours' borderlands? | World News | WION

Shreyas Iyer scored a 70-ball-105 to help India reach a massive score of 397/4 against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final. It was his second century of the 2023 ODI World Cup and takes him past 500 runs for the tournament. 1996 World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore breaks down Iyer's return to form in a conversation with Wion Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo.

Shreyas Iyer goes past 500 runs in maiden World Cup

India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs to end their semi-final jinx at the ICC ODI World Cup. The Men in Blue have qualified for their fourth World Cup final and have avenged their agonizing loss to the Kiwis in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scored centuries before Mohammed Shami sealed the win with career-best figures of 7/57. 1996 World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore and Sports Editor Digvijay Singh decode India's victory.

ODI WC: India beat New Zealand to end semi-final jinx

Mohammed Shami ripped through New Zealand's batting line-up at the Wankhede Stadium in the ICC World up semi-final and finished with figures of 7/57. It is his third five-wicket haul of the tournament and takes him to the top of the wicket-taking charts in the tournament. Shami has 23 wickets, one more than Australia's Adam Zampa but has played three fewer matches. Shami was determined to make up for his dropped catch of Kane Williamson and delivered a Player of the Match performance in Mumbai as the Kiwis fell 70 short. 1996 World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore gave Shami his first break with the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team and is immensely proud of his record-breaking performances at this World Cup.

ODI WC: Mohammed Shami breaks the record for best figures by an Indian in an ODI

<p>India reported an all-time high merchandise trade deficit for October, reaching $31.46 billion, surpassing economists' predictions of $20.50 billion. The deficit was attributed in part to a substantial surge in gold imports during the festive season, a trend that significantly impacted the trade balance. &nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Reuters, government data revealed that while merchandise exports amounted to $33.57 billion, imports skyrocketed to $65.03 billion, reflecting a notable increase compared to the figures from the same period last year. The festive demand, particularly during Diwali, India's festival of lights, contributed to the surge in imports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trade ministry officials emphasised the notable spike in gold imports, which surged by 95 per cent year-on-year, reaching $7.23 billion in October alone. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Merchandise exports for the April-October period totalled $244.89 billion, while imports for the same duration reached $391.96 billion. The data indicated a broader trade scenario for India, reflecting the cumulative trade performance over the past seven months. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In October, there were $28.70 billion in services exported and $14.32 billion in services imported. September saw $14.91 billion in imports and $29.37 billion in services exports.&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;</i></p>

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India reported an all-time high merchandise trade deficit for October, reaching $31.46 billion, surpassing economists' predictions of $20.50 billion. The deficit was attributed in part to a substantial surge in gold imports during the festive season, a trend that significantly impacted the trade balance.

India reported an all-time high merchandise trade deficit for October, reaching $31.46 billion, surpassing economists' predictions of $20.50 billion. The deficit was attributed in part to a substantial surge in gold imports during the festive season, a trend that significantly impacted the trade balance. According to Reuters, government data revealed that while merchandise exports amounted to $33.57 billion, imports skyrocketed to $65.03 billion, reflecting a notable increase compared to the figures from the same period last year. The festive demand, particularly during Diwali, India's festival of lights, contributed to the surge in imports. Trade ministry officials emphasised the notable spike in gold imports, which surged by 95 per cent year-on-year, reaching $7.23 billion in October alone. Merchandise exports for the April-October period totalled $244.89 billion, while imports for the same duration reached $391.96 billion. The data indicated a broader trade scenario for India, reflecting the cumulative trade performance over the past seven months. In October, there were $28.70 billion in services exported and $14.32 billion in services imported. September saw $14.91 billion in imports and $29.37 billion in services exports. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India faces unprecedented trade deficit in October, driven by soaring gold imports 

<p>India has asked for advice from the Thai company that successfully rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018 as it races against time to save 40 men trapped in a road tunnel, officials were cited as saying on Wednesday (Nov 15).</p>

<p>Indian excavators have been removing the debris since Sunday morning (Nov 12) from a site in Uttarakhand state to create an escape tunnel for the workers, all of whom are currently alive.</p>

<p>Officials have "contacted the Thai company which rescued the children trapped in the cave", Uttarakhand's department of public relations said in an official statement while referring to a rescue operation to rescue 12 boys from a junior football team and their coach who were trapped for more than two weeks in the Tham Luang cave complex in 2018.</p>

<h2><strong>State govt reaches&nbsp;out to experts from Norway&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The Uttarakhand state authorities have also asked for help from the engineering experts in soil and rock mechanics at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute as efforts to free the men continued into a fourth day.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttarakhand-tunnel-mishap-how-will-a-3-ft-pipe-rescue-trapped-labourers-658688">Uttarakhand tunnel mishap: How will a 3-ft pipe rescue trapped labourers?</a></strong></p>

<p>On Wednesday, medicine was sent to the 40 men trapped in the road tunnel they were building.</p>

<p>"After consultation with doctors, medicine has been sent to the workers through pipes," police officer Prashant Kumar was quoted as saying by the AFP from the site. "Contact is being maintained with the workers."</p>

<h2><b>Rescue ops continue on 'war footing'</b></h2>

<p>Food and oxygen had also been sent to the trapped workers, he said.</p>

<p>The pace of drilling was "slow because of natural causes", but efforts were being made on a "war footing", Uttarakhand state police chief Ashok Kumar said in a statement on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The air force on Wednesday flew in a second drilling machine on a C-130 Hercules military plane on Wednesday to "speed up rescue work" after the first one broke down, he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Rescue mission enters day 4</strong></p>

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<p>Engineers are using heavy machinery to drive a steel pipe about 90 centimetres (nearly three feet) wide through the debris, wide enough for the trapped men to get out from.</p>

<p>"We should keep our patience and trust," Ashok Kumar was quoted as saying by the AFP.</p>

<p>"I am sure that we will rescue all the labourers."</p>

<p>The 4.5-kilometre (2.7-mile) tunnel was being constructed between the towns of Silkyara and Dandalgaon to connect Uttarkashi and Yamunotri, two of the holiest Hindu shrines.</p>

<p>The tunnel is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road project aimed at improving travel conditions between some of the most popular Hindu shrines in the country as well as areas along the Line of Actual Control with China.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India has asked for advice from the Thai company that successfully rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018 as it races against time to save 40 men trapped in a road tunnel, officials were cited as saying on Wednesday (Nov 15).

India has asked for advice from the Thai company that successfully rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018 as it races against time to save 40 men trapped in a road tunnel, officials were cited as saying on Wednesday (Nov 15). Indian excavators have been removing the debris since Sunday morning (Nov 12) from a site in Uttarakhand state to create an escape tunnel for the workers, all of whom are currently alive. Officials have "contacted the Thai company which rescued the children trapped in the cave", Uttarakhand's department of public relations said in an official statement while referring to a rescue operation to rescue 12 boys from a junior football team and their coach who were trapped for more than two weeks in the Tham Luang cave complex in 2018. State govt reaches out to experts from Norway The Uttarakhand state authorities have also asked for help from the engineering experts in soil and rock mechanics at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute as efforts to free the men continued into a fourth day. Also read | Uttarakhand tunnel mishap: How will a 3-ft pipe rescue trapped labourers? On Wednesday, medicine was sent to the 40 men trapped in the road tunnel they were building. "After consultation with doctors, medicine has been sent to the workers through pipes," police officer Prashant Kumar was quoted as saying by the AFP from the site. "Contact is being maintained with the workers." Rescue ops continue on 'war footing' Food and oxygen had also been sent to the trapped workers, he said. The pace of drilling was "slow because of natural causes", but efforts were being made on a "war footing", Uttarakhand state police chief Ashok Kumar said in a statement on Wednesday. The air force on Wednesday flew in a second drilling machine on a C-130 Hercules military plane on Wednesday to "speed up rescue work" after the first one broke down, he said. Also watch | Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Rescue mission enters day 4 × Engineers are using heavy machinery to drive a steel pipe about 90 centimetres (nearly three feet) wide through the debris, wide enough for the trapped men to get out from. "We should keep our patience and trust," Ashok Kumar was quoted as saying by the AFP. "I am sure that we will rescue all the labourers." The 4.5-kilometre (2.7-mile) tunnel was being constructed between the towns of Silkyara and Dandalgaon to connect Uttarkashi and Yamunotri, two of the holiest Hindu shrines. The tunnel is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road project aimed at improving travel conditions between some of the most popular Hindu shrines in the country as well as areas along the Line of Actual Control with China. (With inputs from agencies)

India contacts Thai cave rescue experts while racing against time to save Uttarakhand tunnel workers

Several people are feared to be trapped after a tunnel collapsed in India's Uttarakhand. Part of the tunnel under construction from the Silkyara to Dandalgaon collapsed in Uttarkashi.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Indian workers send medicines for the trapped workers | WION

Amid the festive season, the country's trade deficit has hit an all-time high, reaching a staggering $31.46 billion in October.

India's trade imbalance widens in October | World Business Watch

India, the US, and 12 other members of the Indo-Pacific economic framework for prosperity signed a groundbreaking supply chain resilience agreement in San Francisco. The agreement is aimed at mitigating economic disruptions caused by supply chain shocks, and includes benefits like the potential shift of production centers in critical sectors.

Nations forge historic supply chain resilience pact

In this ever-evolving realm of global economics, few challenges are as formidable as inflation impacting nation's economies and our daily lives.

India: Retail down to 5.02% in September 2023

The Indian cricket team under Rohit Sharma has been an unstoppable force at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Not only have they won all the ten matches they have played in the world cup, the men in blue have dominated their opponents in those clashes. 1996 world cup-winning coach dav whatmore breaks down the formula behind india's success at this tournament, so far with WION sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo.

India favourites to end ICC trophy jinx

Myanmar's military rulers are facing their biggest test since they seized power in 2021 coup, after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive capturing some towns and military posts.

Myanmar rebel groups take control of a border post with India, 200,000 people displaced

Actress Sonam Kapoor and her husband Anand Ahuja hosted football legend David Beckham at their residence in Mumbai.

Sonam Kapoor, Anand Ahuja host football legend David Beckham in India

Virat Kohli broke the World Record for most ODI centuries against New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final. Kohli's 50th ODI ton took him past his idol Sachin Tendulkar who was watching on. Tendulkar's record for most international centuries is still a fair bit away bit Kohli now can claim to be the greatest ODI player of all-time. 1996 World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore believes he has a very strong claim for that honour.

Is Virat Kohli the greatest ODI Cricketer ever? | WION World of Cricket

Significantly, almost eight months after Moscow officials had expected to sign a major contract on the supply and licensed production of Igla-S man-portable air defense systems in India, India and Russia signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to New Delhi.

Moscow and New Delhi signs contract for IGLA-S

Tensions between India and China are no secret in South Asia's heavy snow cloud Peaks diplomatic relations between the two Asian Giants currently stand on thin ice. A recent report by global Think Tank International Crisis Group sheds more light on the border dispute along India and China's line of actual control.

Think Tank report on Indo-China border dispute

In response to new u.S. Export restrictions, Chinese companies are taking assertive measures to acquire advanced chipmaking equipment in a strategic maneuver. A congressional report released today underscores the loopholes exploited by China, exposing a notable increase in semiconductor imports.

Chinese companies acquire US Chipmaking equipment despite curbs

Several people are feared to be trapped after a tunnel collapsed in India's Uttarakhand. Part of the tunnel under construction from the Silkyara to Dandalgaon collapsed in Uttarkashi. The District Magistrate and the Superintendent of police of Uttarkashi District along with Uttarakhand's State Disaster Response force and police rescue teams are present at the spot. Rescue operations are currently underway as confirmed by the Chief Minister who also reacted to the incident.

Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: Government contacts Thai company for expert advice

<p>The mutual distrust between India and China&nbsp;keeps the Line of Actual Control between two Asian powers&nbsp;prone to "sudden flare-ups of violence", with consequences that could reach far beyond the region, a global think tank has concluded in its latest report.&nbsp;The report also notes that a return to the times when boundary issue was shelved to let India-China bilateral ties get stronger "seems improbable in the short term".</p>

<p>New Delhi and Beijing, however, could begin demarcating the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the middle sector of their de-facto boundary as a confidence-building measure to de-escalate the tensions along the unresolved border between them, International Crisis Group recommended in its report titled 'Thin Ice in the Himalayas: Handling the India-China Border Dispute'.</p>

<h2><b>China's LAC incursions tripled since Xi Jinping came to&nbsp;power</b></h2>

<p>The number of Chinese incursions into Indian side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) tripled since Xi Jinping took over the corridors of power in 2013, the report points out while citing a dataset from November 2012 to November 2022.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-and-china-ramp-up-engagements-to-prevent-escalation-during-brutal-winters-657765">India and China ramp up engagements to prevent escalation during brutal winters</a></strong></p>

<p>But notably, those incursions have been relatively low in "scale and intensity" in the Middle Sector of India-China boundary,&nbsp;which is comprised on Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand states on the Indian side and Tibet in China.</p>

<p>"The number of transgressions by the Chinese troops in the last decade has been quite high in the western and eastern sectors compared to the least-disputed middle sector. So, the delineation of the border in the middle sector is the low-hanging fruit that both sides could pursue," Praveen Donthi, Senior India Analyst at International Crisis Group told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Why clarification of LAC in Middle Sector is a 'low hanging fruit'?</strong></h2>

<p>Notably in September 2000, after years of relative peace along the Line of Actual Control, Beijing under President Jiang Zemin and India under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had started the process of clarifying the Line of Actual Control in the backdrop of India's nuclear tests two years prior.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Donthi points out that when maps were exchanged between the two Asian powers to share their understanding of the Line of Actual Control, they began with the middle sector despite significant differences over Barahoti region of Uttarakhand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The number of transgressions by the Chinese troops in the last decade has been quite high in the western and eastern sectors compared to the least-disputed middle sector. So, the delineation of the border in the middle sector is the low-hanging fruit that both sides could pursue," Donthi added.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Is China's military preparing for an air offensive? Photos of build-up along India's LAC</strong></p>

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<p>The progress to clarify the LAC&nbsp;finally came to halt in 2002. Three years later, during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to New Delhi, the two sides agreed to a negotiation process over boundary issues but failed to move forward to the next phase: resolving the dispute.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After Galwan incident in June 2020, which led to the first boundary dispute-related deaths in 45 years, India maintains that restoration to pre-April 2020 status quo ante along the Line of Actual Control is integral to normalisation of its ties with Beijing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India insists China must pull back its troops and military facilities to their pre-April 2020 positions in the Western Sector.</p>

<p>So far, the two militaries have pulled troops, equipment and weapons systems and torn down structures at Patrol Point 14 in the Galwan Valley on the northern shore of Pangong Lake, PP17A near Gogra post and PP15 in Hot Springs area. In each of these locations, agreed buffer zones now physically separate the two militaries.</p>

<p>But disengagement remains incomplete as the two armies continue to face each other at Depsang and Demchok even after twenty rounds of Corps Commander-level talks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Donthi points out that while India would like to see the restoration of the pre-April 2020 status quo, "China seems unwilling", leading to an impasse.</p>

<p>"Due to the forward deployment and building of infrastructure by both sides, it might be difficult to demilitarise the border and restore the status quo ante due to the deepening of distrust to a magnitude not seen since the war of 1962. However, due to the high cost of escalation and the fear of a two-front war on both sides, Beijing and New Delhi would rather find a way out of this deadlock," Donthi added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 50,000 Indian troops remain stationed along the LAC in the Western sector. In Leh, the administrative capital of India's Ladakh which shares boundary with China&nbsp;in the Western Sector, additional troops have been stationed along with three Indian Army divisions traditionally based there.</p>

<p>China has kept over 50,000 troops close to the western sector of the Line of Actual Control since the 2020 clashes and constructed facilities that allow for up to 120,000 soldiers to stay within 100 km of the LAC.</p>


The mutual distrust between India and China keeps the Line of Actual Control between two Asian powers prone to "sudden flare-ups of violence", with consequences that could reach far beyond the region, a global think tank has concluded in its latest report.

The mutual distrust between India and China keeps the Line of Actual Control between two Asian powers prone to "sudden flare-ups of violence", with consequences that could reach far beyond the region, a global think tank has concluded in its latest report. The report also notes that a return to the times when boundary issue was shelved to let India-China bilateral ties get stronger "seems improbable in the short term". New Delhi and Beijing, however, could begin demarcating the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the middle sector of their de-facto boundary as a confidence-building measure to de-escalate the tensions along the unresolved border between them, International Crisis Group recommended in its report titled 'Thin Ice in the Himalayas: Handling the India-China Border Dispute'. China's LAC incursions tripled since Xi Jinping came to power The number of Chinese incursions into Indian side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) tripled since Xi Jinping took over the corridors of power in 2013, the report points out while citing a dataset from November 2012 to November 2022. Also read | India and China ramp up engagements to prevent escalation during brutal winters But notably, those incursions have been relatively low in "scale and intensity" in the Middle Sector of India-China boundary, which is comprised on Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand states on the Indian side and Tibet in China. "The number of transgressions by the Chinese troops in the last decade has been quite high in the western and eastern sectors compared to the least-disputed middle sector. So, the delineation of the border in the middle sector is the low-hanging fruit that both sides could pursue," Praveen Donthi, Senior India Analyst at International Crisis Group told WION. Why clarification of LAC in Middle Sector is a 'low hanging fruit'? Notably in September 2000, after years of relative peace along the Line of Actual Control, Beijing under President Jiang Zemin and India under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had started the process of clarifying the Line of Actual Control in the backdrop of India's nuclear tests two years prior. Donthi points out that when maps were exchanged between the two Asian powers to share their understanding of the Line of Actual Control, they began with the middle sector despite significant differences over Barahoti region of Uttarakhand. "The number of transgressions by the Chinese troops in the last decade has been quite high in the western and eastern sectors compared to the least-disputed middle sector. So, the delineation of the border in the middle sector is the low-hanging fruit that both sides could pursue," Donthi added. Also watch | Gravitas: Is China's military preparing for an air offensive? Photos of build-up along India's LAC × The progress to clarify the LAC finally came to halt in 2002. Three years later, during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to New Delhi, the two sides agreed to a negotiation process over boundary issues but failed to move forward to the next phase: resolving the dispute. After Galwan incident in June 2020, which led to the first boundary dispute-related deaths in 45 years, India maintains that restoration to pre-April 2020 status quo ante along the Line of Actual Control is integral to normalisation of its ties with Beijing. India insists China must pull back its troops and military facilities to their pre-April 2020 positions in the Western Sector. So far, the two militaries have pulled troops, equipment and weapons systems and torn down structures at Patrol Point 14 in the Galwan Valley on the northern shore of Pangong Lake, PP17A near Gogra post and PP15 in Hot Springs area. In each of these locations, agreed buffer zones now physically separate the two militaries. But disengagement remains incomplete as the two armies continue to face each other at Depsang and Demchok even after twenty rounds of Corps Commander-level talks. Donthi points out that while India would like to see the restoration of the pre-April 2020 status quo, "China seems unwilling", leading to an impasse. "Due to the forward deployment and building of infrastructure by both sides, it might be difficult to demilitarise the border and restore the status quo ante due to the deepening of distrust to a magnitude not seen since the war of 1962. However, due to the high cost of escalation and the fear of a two-front war on both sides, Beijing and New Delhi would rather find a way out of this deadlock," Donthi added. More than 50,000 Indian troops remain stationed along the LAC in the Western sector. In Leh, the administrative capital of India's Ladakh which shares boundary with China in the Western Sector, additional troops have been stationed along with three Indian Army divisions traditionally based there. China has kept over 50,000 troops close to the western sector of the Line of Actual Control since the 2020 clashes and constructed facilities that allow for up to 120,000 soldiers to stay within 100 km of the LAC.

India-China LAC tensions: Despite potential 'sudden flare-ups of violence' this could be a first step to peace

Australia take on South Africa in the second semi-final of the World Cup at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Five-time champions Australia enter the semi-final on the back of seven straight wins, while the Proteas are looking to reach their first-ever World Cup final. 1996 World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore sets up the clash in a conversation with Wion Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo.

In-form Australia take on South Africa in second semi-final

<p>Devotees at the Ananthapura Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Kerala were surprised&nbsp;when a new crocodile was spotted in the temple's lake, a year after the demise of the revered crocodile 'Babiya,' considered a 'reincarnated deity,' reported The Hindu.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Babiya's legacy</strong></h2>

<p>Babiya, the crocodile that had garnered popularity for its "divine connections," passed away on October 9, 2022, leaving a void in the hearts of devotees from Kerala and Karnataka.</p>

<p>Pilgrims used to visit the temple to witness daily rituals, as Babiya was known to consume the offerings for the deity.</p>

<p>Babiya's demise marked the end of an era, leading to contemplation among devotees about the spiritual significance of the crocodile's presence.</p>

<p>Uday Kumar Gatti, the temple's chairman, confirmed the presence of the new crocodile to the Hindu after a family reported its sighting on November 8, 2023.</p>

<p>Initially facing criticism on social media, the family's claims were later verified upon revisiting the temple on November 11, 2023.</p>

<p>This marks the third crocodile to make an appearance at the temple lake, with the new visitor appearing smaller in size than its predecessor.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-delhis-air-quality-in-very-poor-category-for-5th-day-in-a-row-ban-on-entry-of-these-buses-653805">Also read |&nbsp;India: Delhi's air quality in 'very poor' category for 5th day in a row</a></p>

<h2><strong>From 1945 to present</strong></h2>

<p>In 1945, folklore tells of a British soldier shooting a crocodile at the temple lake. Shortly thereafter, Babiya emerged, gaining spiritual significance.</p>

<p>To validate the recent sighting, the temple committee sent photos to a Chennai-based crocodile expert, confirming the new crocodile's species' similarity to Babiya.</p>

<p>While the temple authorities have not yet started to feed the new crocodile, various departments, including the Forest department, have been informed about the reptile's sighting.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Babiya, the god's own crocodile of Sri Anantapura Lake temple has reached Vishnu Padam.<br />
<br />
The divine crocodile lived in the temple's lake for over 70years by eating the rice &amp; jaggery prasadam of Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy &amp; guarded the temple.<br />
<br />
May she attain Sadgati, Om Shanti! <a href="https://t.co/UCLoSNDiyE">pic.twitter.com/UCLoSNDiyE</a></p>
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShobhaBJP/status/1579324069509750784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>A committee meeting is scheduled to discuss the implications of the crocodile's presence in the temple waters, rekindling the spiritual connection many felt with the late Babiya.</p>

<p>The unexpected reappearance has brought about a renewed sense of curiosity and wonder among both the temple committee members and devoted pilgrims.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Kerala serial blasts | Blasts target prayer meet</strong></p>

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Devotees at the Ananthapura Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Kerala were surprised when a new crocodile was spotted in the temple's lake, a year after the demise of the revered crocodile 'Babiya,' considered a 'reincarnated deity,' reported The Hindu.

Devotees at the Ananthapura Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Kerala were surprised when a new crocodile was spotted in the temple's lake, a year after the demise of the revered crocodile 'Babiya,' considered a 'reincarnated deity,' reported The Hindu. Babiya's legacy Babiya, the crocodile that had garnered popularity for its "divine connections," passed away on October 9, 2022, leaving a void in the hearts of devotees from Kerala and Karnataka. Pilgrims used to visit the temple to witness daily rituals, as Babiya was known to consume the offerings for the deity. Babiya's demise marked the end of an era, leading to contemplation among devotees about the spiritual significance of the crocodile's presence. Uday Kumar Gatti, the temple's chairman, confirmed the presence of the new crocodile to the Hindu after a family reported its sighting on November 8, 2023. Initially facing criticism on social media, the family's claims were later verified upon revisiting the temple on November 11, 2023. This marks the third crocodile to make an appearance at the temple lake, with the new visitor appearing smaller in size than its predecessor. Also read | India: Delhi's air quality in 'very poor' category for 5th day in a row From 1945 to present In 1945, folklore tells of a British soldier shooting a crocodile at the temple lake. Shortly thereafter, Babiya emerged, gaining spiritual significance. To validate the recent sighting, the temple committee sent photos to a Chennai-based crocodile expert, confirming the new crocodile's species' similarity to Babiya. While the temple authorities have not yet started to feed the new crocodile, various departments, including the Forest department, have been informed about the reptile's sighting. Babiya, the god's own crocodile of Sri Anantapura Lake temple has reached Vishnu Padam. The divine crocodile lived in the temple's lake for over 70years by eating the rice & jaggery prasadam of Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy & guarded the temple. May she attain Sadgati, Om Shanti! pic.twitter.com/UCLoSNDiyE — Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) October 10, 2022 × A committee meeting is scheduled to discuss the implications of the crocodile's presence in the temple waters, rekindling the spiritual connection many felt with the late Babiya. The unexpected reappearance has brought about a renewed sense of curiosity and wonder among both the temple committee members and devoted pilgrims. (With inputs from agencies) Also watch | Kerala serial blasts | Blasts target prayer meet

India: New crocodile appears in Kerala temple lake a year after demise of revered Babiya

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