Amitabh gifts sewer cleaning machines to BMC

MUMBAI: After the death of seven persons while cleaning the septic tank of a hotel in Gujarat, actor Amitabh Bachchan gifted 25 sewage cleaning machines and a truck to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Bachchan revealed his donation while responding to a message on Twitter by industrialist Anand Mahindra. Referring to the incident Mahindra tweeted about an automated scavenging machine called Bandicoot which was developed by students. Responding to Mahindra, Bachchan said, “Anand I had gifted 25 machines to the BMC and a truck. Never publicised it because that is not the reason for the gift.” TNS

5 lakh-yr-old human fossil found in Telangana

Hyderabad: Archeologists have discovered a human fossil in Telangana, expected to be over five lakh years’ old during a routine excavation. Evoking wide interest among archaeologists in the region, sources said the fossil resembles a human rib. The find was stumbled upon by the Telangana Jagruthi history team in Jaipur area of Mancherial district in northeastern part of the state. The team that discovered the fossil has said the find could prove that Telangana was a host to human civilisation even five lakh years ago. TNS

Ban on liquor, non-veg around Varanasi temples

Varanasi: A total ban has been imposed on the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian food within a 250-m radius of all temples and heritage sites in Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier in April announced a ban on liquor shops and sale of non-vegetarian food at all places of worships, including Varanasi, Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Deoband, Dewa Sharif, Misrikh-Naimisharanya. IANS