The Sandeshkhali issue in West Bengal has drawn national attention due to serious allegations of sexual exploitation and land grabbing by local leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The issue first came to light in January 2024 and has since escalated into a major controversy, sparking widespread protests and political debates. Sandeshkhali is a region located in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, near the India-Bangladesh border. It is part of the Sundarbans, an area known for its unique ecosystem and fragile environment. The region is primarily inhabited by marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The crisis in Sandeshkhali reportedly began with allegations of sexual exploitation by Sheikh Shahjahan, a member of the local Zila Parishad and a leader of the TMC. According to victims and their families, women in the area were systematically targeted and sexually abused by TMC members, often being taken to the party office under the ...
Introduction: In 1962, a peculiar and unprecedented event occurred in the village of Kashasha, near the western shore of Lake Victoria in Tanganyika (now Tanzania). It started at a mission-run boarding school for girls and rapidly transformed into a widespread phenomenon. This event was the Tanganyika laughing epidemic. In this blog, we delve into the details of this bizarre occurrence, exploring its causes, effects, and implications. The Onset: The incident began in January 1962 when three girls at a boarding school started laughing uncontrollably. This laughter, however, was no sign of amusement; it was involuntary and often accompanied by other symptoms such as crying, fainting, and pain. Remarkably, this peculiar condition started spreading rapidly among the students. The Spread: The epidemic didn't remain confined to the school. As students were sent home to prevent further spread, the condition disseminated across the neighboring communities. In total, 14 schools were shu...