Surat: A massive fire was observed at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plant in Surat, Gujarat early this morning. The fire has now been brought under control, ONGC said, adding that no casualty or injury was reported in the incident.

"Around 3 am, three consecutive blasts took place at ONGC Hazira Plant which led to the fire. Firefighters are present at the spot. No casualty has been reported so far. The activity of depressurizing the pressurized gas system is underway by ONGC officials," Dr Dhaval Patel, Surat Collector told news agency ANI.

The sound of the blast was heard as far as 10 km, according to eye witnesses. Fire engines are present at the spot. All terminals have been closed down as a precautionary measure, reports NDTV.

 

This story is being updated.

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Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.

AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.

“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.

He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.

“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.

According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.

In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.

AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.