Rajnath Singh calls for “new United Nations” at International Chief Justices Conference in Lucknow
Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the 26th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World organised by City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, where jurists and dignitaries from 52 countries are taking part. The event is being held at the CMS Kanpur Road auditorium from November 20 to 23.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the conference in the morning, while Rajnath Singh inaugurated the cultural evening organised in honour of the visiting Chief Justices and global delegates.
Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh said that global conflicts and changing geopolitical conditions required reforms in the United Nations. He said the world needed a UN with “new energy, a new working style and a renewed perspective”. During the programme, Singh presented the “Key to the City of Lucknow” to former Croatia President Stjepan Mesić. The “Hope of Humanity Award” was given to Dr. Augusto López-Claros from Spain, and Justice Rosa María Acon of Costa Rica received the “Mother Teresa Award”.
CMS Manager and conference convener Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon welcomed the delegates and said that the conference, now in its 26th year, had helped position Lucknow globally as a centre for dialogue on unity and peace.
In his inaugural address earlier in the day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the conference offered a platform to discuss justice, morality, international law and global cooperation. He noted that collective efforts were essential to address global challenges.
During various parallel sessions, President Mesić said the judiciary remained the “last line of defence” for universal values, adding that justice was a shared interest of all humanity. Adel Omar Sherif, Deputy Chief Justice of Egypt, spoke about the importance of judicial independence in maintaining peace. He also recalled the words of the conference’s founder, the late Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, who had stressed that a divided world could not survive.
Sessions through the day saw discussions on global governance, international law, multilateralism, corruption, cybercrime, climate and health-related legal frameworks, judicial cooperation, dispute resolution and protection of global commons and outer space.
CMS Communications Head Rishi Khanna said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh Rana will attend the conference on Saturday. Guests from India and abroad will also visit the Chief Minister’s residence at 5 Kalidas Marg for a dinner hosted in their honour.
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3 killed, 15 injured in fire after blast at firecracker unit in MP's Dewas; CM orders probe
Dewas/Indore (PTI): At least three workers were killed and 15 persons injured after a fire broke out following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Thursday, an official said.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an investigation. The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment, he said in a post on X.
Three persons were killed in the fire at the firecracker unit located in Tonk Kalan area, and around 15 injured persons were sent to hospitals in Indore and Dewas, Collector Rituraj Singh told reporters after inspecting the site.
Videos of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing thick white smoke billowing from the factory along the Agra–Mumbai national highway. The clips also showed people rushing the injured for treatment amid cries for help, with body parts seen scattered at the site.
The collector said the fire has been brought under control. The administration has taken possession of explosives stored at another location within the unit, he said.
The work to manufacture small firecrackers at the factory of a person named Anil Malviya had begun only 15 days ago, and a licence has been issued for the unit, the collector said.
A detailed investigation is underway into the incident, he added.
CM Yadav said, "I have directed Deputy Chief Minister and Dewas district guardian minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary and senior officials to visit the spot. An inquiry has also been ordered into the incident."
Local residents said there was a massive explosion at the factory, and the victims' body parts were found scattered far away from the site.
They said construction work was underway at the site and different sheds were being built there.
