Sun Nov 03 05:38:44 UTC 2024: ## India News Roundup: Fashion Icon Passes, Air Quality Worsens, and International Headlines
**New Delhi, India (November 2, 2024):** A day of both tragedy and triumph in India saw celebrated fashion designer Rohit Bal pass away at 63, while the Indian Test team secured a crucial win against Australia.
Bal, known for his exquisite designs, succumbed to a heart attack in a south Delhi hospital. Meanwhile, in a somber turn of events, two non-local workers were shot and injured by suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district.
On a brighter note, India’s Test team won a thrilling match against Australia in Mumbai, drawing cheers from over 20,000 spectators at the Wankhede Stadium.
Beyond India’s borders, several international incidents grabbed headlines.
* A concrete roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, tragically killed at least 13 people, with fears of more casualties under the rubble.
* In Bangladesh, tens of thousands of minority Hindus protested, demanding protection from attacks and harassment from the interim government.
* The United States and India are set to begin a joint military exercise on Saturday in Idaho, aiming to enhance special forces capabilities in desert environments.
Back in India, air quality continues to be a major concern. Ninety-nine of the 265 cities monitored reported “poor” air quality, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The Congress party sharply criticized the Election Commission’s response to their complaints about the upcoming Haryana elections, accusing the commission of losing its neutrality.
With Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20th, political developments in the state remain highly volatile, with rebellions and internal disputes within various political parties adding to the uncertainty.
First Piper 