Junior Digest

12,2024:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled projects worth Rs 55,600 crore in the Northeast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel, in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.

Situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the strategically important Sela Tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Following the tunnel’s inauguration, PM Modi, in a speech, said, “You must have heard of ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’. You will understand its significance once you visit Arunachal. The entire Northeast bears witness to this. I laid the foundation of the Sela Tunnel here in 2019, and today it has been inaugurated.”

PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the project in February 2019, but its completion was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, the project consists of two tunnels and over 8 km of approach roads, with a total length of approximately 12 km. The first tunnel is a single-tube tunnel spanning 980 metres, while the second serves as an emergency escape route, measuring 1.5 km in length.

Situated near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Sela Tunnel is strategically crucial, providing year-round access to Tawang and other forward areas bordering China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled projects worth Rs 55,600 crore in the Northeast. The PM unveiled the projects spread across Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh at a programme in Itanagar. The PM inaugurated the Sela tunnel by flagging off an Arunachal Pradesh State Transport bus that went through it. In all, the PM unveiled development projects worth more than 41,000 crore in Arunachal Pradesh

Chennai, Jan 14,2024: Dr. V. Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, ISRO.

He assumed charge yesterday afternoon from outgoing Chief S.Somanath at the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.

In a release, the Space Agency said, prior to this, Dr Narayanan served as the Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), one of the major Centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with its headquarters at Valiamala in Thiruvananthapuram and a unit at Bangalore.

As Director, he provided techno-managerial leadership to LPSC, which is engaged in the development of Liquid, Semi-Cryogenic and Cryogenic Propulsion Stages for Launch Vehicles, Chemical and Electric Propulsion Systems for Satellites, Control Systems for Launch Vehicles and Transducer development for propulsion system health monitoring.

ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) located at Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu) is a unit of ISRO responsible for Assembly, Integration and testing of Liquid Propulsion systems. As Chairman of LPSC-IPRC Coordination Committee, he was responsible for reviewing and executing the activities.

Dr. Narayanan as the Chairman of Project Management Council-Space Transportation System
(PMC-STS), the decision making body in all Launch Vehicle projects & programmes, guided the operational and development activities of launch vehicle of ISRO. He was also the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) of Gaganyaan programme.
Dr. Narayanan, who is a Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion Expert, joined ISRO in 1984 and functioned in various capacities before becoming Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in January, 2018.
Hailing from a humble family background, he completed his M. Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur where he was awarded a Silver Medal for achieving the first rank in M. Tech programme. He has also been honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and the Life Fellowship Award 2023 by IIT, Kharagpur.

He started his career, initially with TI Diamond Chain Ltd, Madras Rubber Factory, BHEL, Trichy and BHEL, Ranipet for one and half years before joining ISRO in 1984. In ISRO, he has completed 40 years of Meritorious service including 7 years as Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.

Due to his hard work and contributions, he was promoted to the highest level Distinguished Scientist (APEX Scale). Under his leadership, LPSC delivered 226 Liquid Propulsion Systems and Control Power plants for Launch Vehicles and Satellites of ISRO.

When India was denied the Cryogenic Technology for GSLV Mk-ll vehicle, he designed the engine systems, developed necessary software tools, contributed for establishing the necessary infrastructure / test facilities, testing and qualification and completing the development of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) and making it operational.

As Project Director for C25 Cryogenic Project of LVM3 vehicle, he led the team in successfully developing C25 Cryogenic Stage powered by a 20-tonne thrust Engine and played vital role in the successful launch of LVM3 vehicle in its maiden attempt and made the stage operational.

His M.Tech thesis work and Ph.D. work were employed in the cryogenic propulsion systems development.

The development of Cryogenic Propulsion Systems made India one among six countries to have this capability and ensured self-reliance in Launch Vehicle.

Towards the LVM3-M1/Chandrayaan-2 and LVM3/Chandrayaan-3 missions, he led the teams and developed &delivered the L110 Liquid Stage and C25 Cryogenic Stage for the LVM3 vehicle and the propulsion systems which took the spacecraft from Earth to the Moon’s orbit and Throttleable propulsion system of the Vikram lander used for soft landing near the south pole of the moon.

He was the Chairman of the National Level Expert Committee which pinpointed the reasons for Chandrayaan-2 hard landing and recommended necessary improvements which eventually contributed to the success of Chandrayaan-3 and made India as the first country to soft-land near south-pole of Moon.

For PSLV C57/Aditya L1 mission, he led the teams in realisation of 2nd and 4th Stages and Control Power Plants of the launch vehicle and the propulsion system used for traversing the spacecraft from Earth’s orbit to L1 point of the Sun and retaining it in the Halo orbit. As the Chairman of the Mission Readiness Review, he reviewed the mission and ensured India becoming the fourth country to have a successful satellite to study Sun.

Towards Human Space Flight Gaganyaan Programme, he contributed to Human Rating of LVM3 vehicle, development of Human rated L110 and C32 Cryogenic Stages, Environmental Control and Life Support System, Service and Crew module propulsion systems and Test vehicle for Crew escape system demonstration. As Chairman of Gaganyaan Certification Board, he contributed to certification process of various systems for Human Space Flight.

Under his leadership, the development of a new cryogenic stage (C32) was completed successfully and the stage was delivered for the first Gaganyaan mission. He was also leading the development activities like, 200-tonne thrust LOX-Kerosene Semi Cryogenic Rocket System for improving LVM3 payload, a 110T thrust LOX-Methane engine for future launch vehicles, Electric and green propulsion systems for spacecrafts.

As Chairman of Project Management Council of Space Transportation System, he guided the teams for the operational and new launch vehicles. He was also responsible for the Propulsion Systems for Venus Orbiter, Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) and Next Generational Launch Vehicle programme cleared by Cabinet recently.

Dr. Narayanan has been honoured with 26 awards. He is a recipient of the Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), ASI Award for Rocket and Related Technologies, Team Award from High Energy Materials Society of India (HEMSI), Performance Excellence Award and Team Excellence Award of ISRO, National Design Award from NDRF, Institution of Engineers, India and National Aeronautical prize from Aeronautical Society of India, Honorary Degree of Doctor of
Science (Honoris Causa) from Sathyabama University, Chennai, Distinguished Alumnus Award-2018 by IIT, Kharagpur, APJ Abdul Kalam Award 2023, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s award for Chandrayaan-3, Life Fellowship Award of IIT-Kharagpur in 2023 and awarded 2024 Laurels for Team Achievement for Chandrayaan-3 by International Academy of Astronautics.

Dr. Narayanan is a Member of Space Propulsion Committee of International Astronautical Federation(IAF), Member of International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering, Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India), Fellow of Indian Cryogenic Council, Fellow of Aeronautical Society of India, Fellow of Astronautical Society of India, National President of Indian Systems Society of Science & Engineering. He has served as Governing Council Member of INAE for 6 years, and Member in various National and International Professional Bodies. Member of IIST Board and Governing Council. Dr. Narayanan has published large number of technical papers including 1200 internal ISRO reports, 50 Journal & conference papers and few numbers of book chapters.

New Delhi, Jan 31,2025: Highlighting the rapid infrastructure development in the country and underscoring the positive impact of various flagship schemes of the government, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said Indian economy has demonstrated remarkable stability and resilience despite global concerns such as the Covid pandemic, its aftermath, and war-related uncertainties.

“Over the past decade, India has achieved several milestones in constructing world-class infrastructure. This modern infrastructure has strengthened India’s image globally, increased investors’ trust in the nation, boosted industries, and created new employment opportunities,” Murmu said while addressing the joint session of the Parliament.

The President said that 10 years ago, the budget for capex was around Rs 2 lakh crore which has now increased to over Rs 11 lakh crore.

Murmu said that initiatives like the construction of 12 crore toilets under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 10 crore free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, ration for 80 crore needy citizens, the Saubhagya Yojana, and the Jal Jeevan Mission have given poor the confidence that they can live with dignity.

“Due to such efforts, 25 crore people have overcome poverty and are moving forward in life. They have formed a Neo Middle Class, a group that is infusing new energy into India’s growth journey,” she said.

The President said that the government is steering India towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

“To ensure that the journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ continues to be guided by the ideals of our Constitution, the government has placed four key principles—service, good governance, prosperity, and pride—at the core of its governance,” she said.

The President said that the government is making rapid advances in its commitment to reform, perform, and transform.

“The guiding mantra of my government is “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” and its goal is the creation of a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” the President said.

Dec 26,2024: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh has died at the age of 92.
Singh was one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers and he was considered the architect of key liberalising economic reforms, as premier from 2004-2014 and before that as finance minister.
Among those who paid tribute to Singh on Thursday were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wrote on social media that “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders”.

Modi said that Singh’s “wisdom and humility were always visible” during their interactions and that he had “made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives” during his time as prime minister.
Singh was the first Indian leader since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after serving a full first term, and the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post. He made a public apology in parliament for the 1984 riots in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed.

But his second term in office was marred by a string of corruption allegations that dogged his administration. The scandals, many say, were partially responsible for his Congress party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 general election.

Singh was born on 26 September 1932, in a desolate village in the Punjab province of undivided India, which lacked both water and electricity.

After attending Panjab University he took a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge and then a DPhil at Oxford.

While studying at Cambridge, the lack of funds bothered Singh, his daughter, Daman Singh, wrote in a book on her parents.
“His tuition and living expenses came to about £600 a year. The Panjab University scholarship gave him about £160. For the rest he had to depend on his father. Manmohan was careful to live very stingily. Subsidised meals in the dining hall were relatively cheap at two shillings sixpence.”

Consensus builder

Singh rose to political prominence as India’s finance minister in 1991, taking over as the country was plunging into bankruptcy.
His unexpected appointment capped a long and illustrious career as an academic and civil servant – he served as an economic adviser to the government, and became the governor of India’s central bank.

In his maiden speech as finance minister he famously quoted Victor Hugo, saying that “no power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come”.

That served as a launchpad for an ambitious and unprecedented economic reform programme: he cut taxes, devalued the rupee, privatised state-run companies and encouraged foreign investment.

The economy revived, industry picked up, inflation was checked and growth rates remained consistently high in the 1990s.
‘Accidental PM’

Manmohan Singh was a man acutely aware of his lack of a political base. “It is nice to be a statesman, but in order to be a statesman in a democracy you first have to win elections,” he once said.

When he tried to win election to India’s lower house in 1999, he was defeated. He sat instead in the upper house, chosen by his own Congress party.

The same happened in 2004, when Singh was first appointed prime minister after Congress president Sonia Gandhi turned down the post – apparently to protect the party from damaging attacks over her Italian origins. Critics however alleged that Sonia Gandhi was the real source of power while he was prime minister, and that he was never truly in charge.
Critics said Mr Singh always played second fiddle to Sonia Gandhi

The biggest triumph during his first five-year term was to bring India out of nuclear isolation by signing a landmark deal securing access to American nuclear technology.

But the deal came at a price – the government’s Communist allies withdrew support after protesting against it, and Congress had to make up lost numbers by enlisting the support of another party amid charges of vote-buying.

A consensus builder, Singh presided over a coalition of sometimes difficult, assertive and potentially unruly regional coalition allies and supporters.

Although he earned respect for his integrity and intelligence, he also had a reputation for being soft and indecisive. Some critics claimed that the pace of reform slowed and he failed to achieve the same momentum he had while finance minister.
When Singh guided Congress to a second, decisive election victory in 2009, he vowed that the party would “rise to the occasion”.

But the gloss soon began to wear off and his second term was in the news mostly for all the wrong reasons: several scandals involving his cabinet ministers which allegedly cost the country billions of dollars, a parliament stalled by the opposition, and a huge policy paralysis that resulted in a serious economic downturn.

Singh adopted the pragmatic foreign policies pursued by his two predecessors.

He continued the peace process with Pakistan – though this process was hampered by attacks blamed on Pakistani militants, culminating in the Mumbai gun and bomb attack of November 2008.

He tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet which had been closed for more than 40 years.
Singh increased financial support for Afghanistan and became the first Indian leader to visit the country for nearly 30 years.
He also angered many opposition politicians by appearing to end relations with India’s old ally, Iran.

A low-profile leader

A studious former academic and bureaucrat, he was known for being self-effacing and always kept a low profile.

A man of few words, his calm demeanour nevertheless won him many admirers.

After his time as premier, Singh remained deeply engaged with the issues of the day as a senior leader of the main opposition Congress party despite his advancing age.

In August 2020, he told the BBC in a rare interview that India needed to take three steps “immediately” to stem the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic, which had sent the country’s economy into a recession.

The government needed to provide direct cash assistance to people, make capital available for businesses, and fix the financial sector, he said.

History will remember Singh for bringing India out of economic and nuclear isolation, although some historians may suggest he should have retired earlier.

New Delhi, December 9,2024: Air India on Monday confirmed that it placed an order to purchase 100 more Airbus aircraft, comprising 10 widebody A350 and 90 narrowbody A320 Family aircraft, including A321neo.
These 100 new aircraft are in addition to the firm orders of 470 aircraft that Air India had placed with Airbus and Boeing last year.
The latest order takes the total number of aircraft that Air India ordered with Airbus in 2023 from 250 aircraft, comprising 40 A350 and 210 A320 Family aircraft, to 350.
Air India also announced it has selected Airbus’ Flight Hour Services-Component (FHS-C) to support the maintenance requirements of its growing A350 fleet.
The new materials and maintenance contract will help Air India to optimise the reliability and performance of its A350 fleet, with comprehensive engineering services and integrated component services including on-site stock at Delhi provided by Airbus.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, of Tata Sons and Air India, said, “With India’s passenger growth outpacing the rest of the world, its significantly improving infrastructure and an aspirational young population increasingly going global, we see a clear case for Air India to expand its future fleet beyond the firm orders of the 470 aircraft placed last year.”
“These additional 100 Airbus aircraft will help to position Air India on the path to greater growth and contribute to our mission of building Air India into a world-class airline that connects India to every corner of the world,” he added.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, said, “Having personally witnessed the formidable growth of the Indian aviation sector in recent months, I am glad to see Air India renew its trust in Airbus with this additional order for both our A320 Family and A350 aircraft.”
“Through this continued partnership, we are committed to supporting the success of Air India’s “Vihaan.AI” transformation plan under Tata’s vision and leadership,” the CEO added.
With the order for 100 additional aircraft, Air India currently has a total of 344 new aircraft incoming from Airbus, having received six A350s so far. Air India in 2023 had also placed orders for 220 widebody and narrowbody aircraft with Boeing, of which 185 aircraft remain to be delivered.
Air India is the first Indian airline to operate the Airbus A350, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Delivering exceptional fuel-efficiency, passenger comfort, and long-range capabilities, the A350s now offer an all-new Air India flying experience to travellers flying non-stop from Delhi to London and New York.
The A320 Family fleet, powered by CFM LEAP 1-A engines, is a backbone of Air India’s domestic and short-haul operations, delivering world-class flying experiences to millions of the airline’s customers as well as remarkable operational efficiency and flight economics.

Bengaluru, Jan 12,2024: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission has reached a significant milestone with a successful trial docking attempt. The operation advanced to a distance of 15 metres before progressing further to just 3 metres.

To ensure safety, the spacecrafts were subsequently manoeuvred back to a secure distance, adhering to all prescribed protocols during this critical phase.

ISRO scientists are now analysing the data collected during the trial to chart the mission’s next steps. The actual docking process will commence after a comprehensive evaluation of the findings.

“A trial attempt to reach up to 15 m and further to 3 m is done. Moving back spacecrafts to safe distance. The docking process will be done after analysing data further. Stay tuned for updates,” ISRO said in an X post on Sunday.

Earlier, ISRO provided an exciting update on the mission’s progress, highlighting its approach to a landmark docking event. “At 15m we see each other clearer and clearer, we are just 50 feet away for an exciting handshake,” the space agency noted in a statement.

The SpaDeX mission represents a pivotal achievement in India’s space programme, aiming to demonstrate autonomous docking capabilities in orbit. This technology is crucial for future space endeavours, including human spaceflight and deep-space exploration.

The mission is being closely monitored by ISRO’s mission control, with scientists expressing optimism about achieving a successful docking. “This achievement showcases India’s engineering expertise and innovation, underlining our capacity to lead in cutting-edge space technology,” an ISRO official remarked.

Further updates are anticipated as the mission advances to the final stages of the docking sequence.

December 10, 2024: The Centre on Monday announced the appointment of Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, a day before incumbent Governor Shaktikanta Das’s six-year term comes to an end on Tuesday (December 10, 2024).
A 1990-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service of the Rajasthan cadre, Mr. Malhotra is a computer science engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and has a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Princeton University, U.S.A, and will take charge of the country’s monetary policy framework and banking regulation at Mint Street on December 11.

January 27,2025: Uttarakhand has officially become the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Monday, a move that has stirred political debates and national attention.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the UCC portal and rules at an event in Dehradun. The Chief Minister also launched the Gazette Notification for the UCC. He earlier said the law will bring uniformity in society while ensuring equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens.
“Today, by implementing UCC in Uttarakhand, we are paying our true tribute to the makers of the Constitution, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and all the respected members of the Constituent Assembly,” Dhami said on the occasion.

“Uniform Civil Code has been fully implemented in Uttarakhand from this very moment and the constitutional and civil rights of all the citizens of the state of Uttarakhand have become equal and from this very moment, women of all religions have got equal rights,” he added.
The UCC addresses various societal issues, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. Key aspects of the law include the registration of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships to ensure equal property rights and protect children’s rights, with penalties for non-compliance.
UCC is a set of laws that aims to standardise personal laws across religions. The move has sparked both support and criticism, with proponents arguing for equality and opponents warning of potential societal divisions.
The UCC clarifies legal requirements for marriage, stating that only mentally capable individuals aged 21 (for men) or 18 (for women) who are not already married may enter into a union. Marriages can be performed according to religious customs, but registration will be mandatory to ensure legal recognition.
The law also addresses issues related to the creation and cancellation of wills and codicils under testamentary succession. Marriages solemnized before March 26, 2010, or those outside the state will be eligible for registration if legal requirements are met.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Act was notified on March 12, 2024, after getting the nod from President Droupadi Murmu. “The Uniform Civil Code is just an offering made by our state in the great ‘yagya’ being performed by the prime minister to make the country a developed, organized, harmonious and self-reliant nation,” he said.
However, the opposition Congress said the UCC implementation in Uttarakhand is nothing but “kickstarting a pilot project” without proper consensus. “Can a uniform civil code be state-specific. You talk of the ‘uniform’ civil code and then make it state-specific,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi.
What Is The Uniform Civil Code?

The UCC refers to one law that would be applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, maintenance etc. India has a uniform or one set of ‘criminal code’ for all its citizens but doesn’t have uniform civil law.

After much debate, tribals have been kept out of the UCC ambit, and has a complete ban on practices like halala, iddat, and talaq (customs related to marriage and divorce in Muslim Personal Law).

The UCC, which has 392 sections under seven schedules, is based on a 750-page draft, spread over four volumes, prepared by an expert committee formed by the government in June 2022, to examine the way the law can be introduced in the state.

The five-member expert committee, headed by Retd. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, had submitted its draft to Uttarakhand on February 2, 2024, which was subsequently passed by the State Cabinet on February 4. The Bill, after it was passed in the Assembly during a special session, was sent for Governor’s nod and was approved by the Lt. Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) on February 28. This received presidential assent in March 2024.

What Are The UCC Provisions On Marriage?

According to the government, a public welfare system promoting the protection of individual rights and social harmony has been provided in the Uniform Civil Code Act to streamline and simplify the legal processes related to marriage.

Under this, marriage can be solemnised only between those parties, none of whom has a living spouse, both are mentally capable of giving legal permission, the man should have completed at least 21 years of age and the woman 18 years of age and they should not be in the ambit of prohibited relationships.

Marriage rituals can be performed in any form under religious customs or legal provisions, but it is mandatory to register marriages taking place after the implementation of the Act within 60 days.

Moreover, the acceptance and acknowledgement of marriage registration is also required to be completed promptly. After receiving the application, the sub-registrar has to make an appropriate decision within 15 days. If no decision is taken in that period, then that application will be automatically forwarded to the registrar.

The implementation of the UCC was a major commitment of the BJP in the run-up to the 2022 assembly polls in Uttarakhand which saw the party storm to power for a second consecutive term.

Gorakhpur, Dec 1,2024: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that the Uttar Pradesh government has successfully facilitated 3.84 lakh marriages under its Mass Marriage programme in the last seven years with the number expected to exceed 4 lakh by the end of this session.

Addressing a gathering at a mass marriage ceremony, Yogi said that the state government’s mass marriage program, organized by the Social Welfare Department, symbolizes both social equality and a strong stand against the dowry system, a deeply ingrained social ill.

He said that the programme is inclusive, with no restrictions based on caste, religion, region, or language. “Hindus, Muslims, and followers of other faiths are all uniting in marriage according to their respective traditions. The program also serves as a government-led campaign against dowry, child marriage, and untouchability”, he said.

At the ceremony, 1,200 couples, including Hindus and Muslims, were married. CM Yogi praised the couples for setting an example by not accepting or giving dowry, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring that no daughter remains unmarried due to dowry.

The CM said that good governance leads to positive changes. He mentioned key initiatives launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, such as the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign, free LPG connections, and individual toilets in every village to protect women’s dignity

Additionally, free ration and housing were provided to those in need, and Ayushman cards were issued to ensure medical treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh. CM Yogi emphasized that, before these initiatives, the lack of toilets and the harmful smoke from wood and coal stoves compromised women’s dignity and health.

“With LPG cylinders now available in every home, this issue has been resolved, and the government also provides free cylinders during Diwali and Holi”, he said.

Yogi said that the government’s welfare measures, such as the establishment of Atal Residential Schools offering free education to workers’ children and the provision of an annual pension of Rs 12,000 to one crore people, including the destitute and disabled, benefit all sections of society. Under the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, a package of Rs 25,000 is being provided to empower 20 lakh daughters.

Dec 26,2024: MT Vasudevan Nair, one of Malayalam literature’s most revered and celebrated writers, passed away in Kozhikode on December 25, at the age of 91. Known fondly as MT, Vasudevan Nair left an indelible and deeply profound mark on the world of Malayalam literature and cinema, earning accolades for his eloquent storytelling, poignant narratives, and deep understanding of the human condition.

Born on July 15, 1933, in the village of Kudallur in Kerala’s Palakkad district, MT’s literary works—often drawing from the rich landscapes of rural Kerala—touched upon themes of love, struggle, social change, and the complexities of human relationships. His writings, which spanned novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays, brought to life unforgettable characters and narratives that resonated deeply with generations of readers.

Some of the literary giant’s most celebrated works include his debut novel Naalukettu (Ancestral Home), which he wrote at the age of 23, winning him his first Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award; Manju (Mist); Kaalam (Time); Asuravithu (The Prodigal Son); and Randamoozham (The Second Turn). A lot of his fiction was set against the social backdrop of the matrilineal Nair tharavaadu (ancestral homes) in Kerala. His novels and stories were known for their empathy, lyricism, and the ability to weave intricate human emotions within complex social contexts. Randamoozham, a retelling of the Hindu epic Mahabharata from Bhima’s perspective, remains one of the most groundbreaking works in Malayalam literature, offering a new lens to view upon the literary work and reshaping the discourse around it.

In addition to his literary prowess, MT’s contributions to Malayalam cinema were also monumental. He played an instrumental role in the creation of many iconic films, both as a screenwriter and director. His collaboration with acclaimed filmmakers such as P Bhaskaran, A Vincent, KS Sethumadhavan, IV Sasi, Bharathan, Hariharan and Sibi Malayil defined an era of Malayalam cinema that was rich in intellectual creativity and thought-provoking social criticism. His partnership with legendary director Hariharan in particular paved the way to masterpieces such as Panchagni (1986), Nakhakshathangal (1986), Abhayam Thedi (1986), Amrutham Gamaya (1987), Aranyakam (1988), Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha (1989), Parinayam (1994), and Ennu Swantham Janakikutty (1998)—films still remembered by the Malayali audience for their narrative depth.

MT has also donned the cap of a director multiple times, helming much-celebrated films such as Nirmalyam (1973), Bandhanam (1978), Manju (1983) and Oru Cheru Punchiri (2000)—many of them adapted from his own classic literary works.

As significant as his literary and cinematic contributions is his legacy as a political and cultural commentator. Seamlessly intertwining art with political critique, MT’s voice resonated far beyond the realms of fiction, making him one of the most influential cultural figures in modern Kerala. His works, both in literature and cinema, were deeply reflective of the social and political realities of his time.

He was a keen observer and critic of Kerala’s evolving political climate, known for his engagement with contemporary issues, whether through interviews, essays, or public speeches.

Many prominent young writers of Malayalam literature would also recall him as a top-notch literary editor, spotting new talent and giving them the right nudge to blossom in their field.

Throughout his life, MT received numerous accolades, including the Jnanpith Award, the highest honour for a writer in India, which he was awarded in 1995 for his immense contribution to Malayalam literature. He has also received the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award in 1970 for his novel Kaalam; the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in the years 1958, 1982, and 1986; India’s third highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan in 2005; multiple national and Kerala state film awards as a director and screenplay writer; and several other honours for his multifaceted contributions to the world of art and culture.

New Delhi, Dec 6, 2024: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a petition seeking directions to prevent members of the Bar Council of India (BCI) and State Bar Councils from affiliating with political parties.

A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan observed that bar associations are intellectual bodies and that having a political ideology does not necessarily harm their functioning. “The bar bodies are intellectual. Their functioning won’t change just because the President or Chairman has an ideology. We are a country with firm faith in democracy. We cannot direct Parliament to enact a law or anything of the sort,” the Court stated.
The plea argued that, like judicial officers, government employees, and armed forces personnel, members of the Bar Councils should also be restricted from joining political parties or holding political positions. The petitioner contended that such affiliations could compromise the independence of bar bodies, which are integral to the justice delivery system.

However, the Court was not persuaded by these arguments, emphasizing that there was nothing inherently improper about bar members holding political ideologies. When the petitioner raised specific concerns about the functioning of the BCI and State Bar Councils, the Bench suggested, somewhat pointedly, that the petitioner should consider joining a political party to better understand such dynamics.
The Court also clarified that it lacked the authority to direct Parliament to legislate on the matter.
Dismissing the plea, granted the petitioner liberty to seek recourse from other appropriate forums.

Chennai, Jan 1,2024: A busy New year 2025 lies ahead for ISRO which has lined up some key launch missions, according to Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh.
He said ISRO start the new Year with is historic 100th Mission from the spaceport of Sriharikota when it would launch NVS-02 part of NAVIC constellation in mid-January and the Vyommitra mission, sending a female humanoid robot which will undertake astronaut-like tasks for the Gaganyaan mission un February, besides a crew escape mission, a PIB release said.
It would be followed by the launch of the world’s expensive Rs 12,500 crore Indo-US NASA-ISRO’s Earth observation NISAR satellite for mobile communication in February 2025.
He also highlighted the achievements in 2024, such as the Aditya L1 solar mission and the launch of satellites for international clients.
About the December Spadex Mission launched using PSLV-C60, Dr Jitendra said it marked a groundbreaking achievement, placing India on par with global leaders in space docking technology.
Hailing the mission as a milestone, he said, the SPADEX mission is a pivotal project by ISRO aimed at developing and demonstrating technologies for spacecraft rendezvous,docking, and undocking using two small satellites.
These capabilities are critical for future missions, including satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary exploration, he said.
The primary objectives of SPADEX, include Demonstrating technology for spacecraft rendezvous and docking, Showcasing controllability in docked conditions to extend the life of target spacecraft and Testing power transfer between docked satellites.
The mission also includes post-docking activities, with spacecraft conducting independent payload operations.

According to Dr. Jitendra Singh the docking is expected to occur on January 7, 2025, at noon.
He also highlighted a significant collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and ISRO to explore the application of biology in Space.
“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India will lead in ‘Space-Biology’ by studying
physiological changes in space environments,” he said
According to Dr. Singh, the space economy—valued at USD 8.4 billion in 2023—is projected to grow by five times to USD 44 billion by 2033.
Investments in the sector reached Rs 1000 crore in 2023 alone, placing India as a frontline player globally.
India’s space sector has emerged as a significant foreign exchange earner.
Of the USD 220 million earned through launching foreign satellites, USD 187 million—85% of the total—was generated in the last eight years.
Countries benefiting from ISRO’s services include the USA, France, Japan, and more, the Union Minister said.
Reflecting on the transformation of India’s space journey, Dr. Jitendra Singh credited Mr Modi for liberating the sector from a “veil of secrecy” that limited resources and innovation for decades.
He noted the pivotal role of the 2023 New Space Policy, which for the first time allowed private sector participation in ISRO’s activities.

This policy has led to a surge in space startups, growing from a single-digit count in 2021 to nearly 300 in 2023. Notable startups include AgniKul Cosmos, which established a private launchpad on ISRO premises, and Skyroot, which executed India’s first private sub-orbital launch. “These startups are reinforcing ISRO’s infrastructure and attracting global attention from companies like SpaceX,” Dr. Singh said.

He said the diverse applications of space technologies in agriculture, defense, water resource management, smart cities, and infrastructure development. Initiatives like Mission Mausam for weather forecasting demonstrate the impact of India’s growing space capabilities.

Expressing expressed optimism about India’s space sector, the Minister said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s space and science capabilities are at their peak.

The upcoming years will witness unparalleled achievements and contributions to global space exploration,” he added.

December 20,2024: Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo and former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala passed away in Gurugram on Friday, December 20, at the age of 89. Om Prakash Chautala died after a cardiac arrest.
Om Prakash Chautala, son of former Deputy Prime Minister of India Chaudhary Devi Lal, served as the seventh chief minister of Haryana.

Chautala was awarded a four-year jail term in a 16 years old disproportionate assets case on 27 May 2022 by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court and became the oldest prisoner of the Delhi’s Tihar jail aged 87. He was released in 2020.

Om Prakash Chautala’s wife Sneh Lata died in August 2019. Chautala has three daughters and two sons, including Abhay Singh Chautala and Ajay Singh Chautala.

Abhay Singh Chautala is a an MLA from from the Ellenabad constituency of Haryana and has also been the Leader of Opposition in the Haryana Legislative Assembly from October 2014 till March 2019.

Om Prakash Chautala’s grandson, Dushyant Chautala, is the leader of Jannayak Janata Party and has served as the deputy chief minister of Haryana. He is also a former Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from the Hisar constituency.

New Delhi, December 26,2024: The Winter Session of Parliament which commenced on November 25 was adjourned sine die on 20,Friday . During its 26-day tenure, the session facilitated 20 sittings of the Lok Sabha and 19 sittings of the Rajya Sabha.
According to PRS Legislative Research, the Lok Sabha functioned for 52 per cent of its scheduled time and the Rajya Sabha functioned for 39 per cent of its scheduled time. In the first week, both Houses functioned for less than 10 per cent of the scheduled time. Lok Sabha sat an extra day on a Saturday to discuss the workings of the Constitution.
During the session, two key bills were passed by Parliament. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, which replaces the Aircraft Act, of 1934, aims to modernize the regulatory framework governing civil aviation while retaining most provisions of the original Act.
The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2024, another notable legislation, authorizes additional expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India for the fiscal year 2024-25. As a Money Bill, it was passed by the Lok Sabha and deemed approved by the Rajya Sabha without amendments. This bill was introduced during the Budget Session, 2024.
Five new bills were introduced during this Winter Session, targeting various legislative priorities. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to enable simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, a significant step towards electoral reforms. The bill however was moved to a Joint Parliamentary panel on demand by opposition parties.
Similarly, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims for synchronized elections for the legislatures of Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir alongside Lok Sabha polls. Both bills have been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination.
The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, introduced on December 10, proposes reforms to replace the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. It focuses on ship registration, maritime training, seafarer welfare, and pollution control.
Another maritime-focused bill, the Coastal Shipping Bill 2024, seeks to regulate vessels engaged in trade within India’s coastal waters and is pending in the Lok Sabha.
Progress was also made on bills introduced in earlier sessions. Legislation such as the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed by Lok Sabha. Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were also advanced through one House.
Several other older bills, including the Pesticide Management Bill, 2020 and the Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy Pharmacy Bill, 2005, continue to await resolution. These examples highlight the extensive legislative backlog and the complexity of parliamentary deliberations.
As the session concluded, 33 bills remained pending in Parliament. This includes newer introductions like the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, as well as older proposals such as the Seeds Bill, 2004, and the Delhi Rent (Amendment) Bill, 1997, which have been under consideration for decades.
According to PRS Legislative Research, in this session, Question Hour did not function in Rajya Sabha for 15 out of 19 days. While, in Lok Sabha, Question Hour did not function for more than 10 minutes on 12 out of 20 days.
The Constitution remained a key topic of this Parliament Session. The issue was discussed for 16 hours in Lok Sabha and 17 hours in Rajya Sabha. However, no half-an-hour or short-duration discussions were held. These discussions require Ministers to respond to issues raised by members.
While several notices for adjournment motions were received in Lok Sabha, none of them were accepted. In Rajya Sabha, several notices were filed under Rule 267. None of these were accepted or discussed. These devices allow scheduled House business to be set aside to discuss matters of urgent importance.
The first supplementary budget for 2024-25 was discussed for 7.3 hours in Lok Sabha. An additional expenditure of Rs 44,143 crore was approved, which amounts to 1 per cent of the total expenditure for 2024-25.
Before Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved a motion that the two bills concerning ‘One Nation, One Election’ be referred to a Joint Committee of the two Houses.
The motion, which had names of 27 members from the Lok Sabha, was approved amid din in the House. The committee will have 12 members from the Rajya Sabha.
The Committee will submit its report to Lok Sabha by the first day of the last week of the next session.
Speaker Om Birla said maintaining the dignity of Parliament is a collective responsibility.
He said that there should be no protest at any of the “dwars” of Parliament, saying it is not appropriate. He said the Parliament will have to take appropriate action in case of violation.
Parliament witnessed parallel protests from both the Treasury and Opposition benches outside the parliament on Thursday morning.
INDIA Bloc MPs led by Rahul Gandhi held a protest in the Parliament premises and demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar. The ruling BJP MPs were protesting in the Parliament’s premises against the Congress party for “insulting” Babasaheb Ambedkar.

New Delhi, Dec 20,2024: Lok Sabha on Friday referred the “One Nation, one Election” Bills to the Joint Parliamentary Committee l(JPC) to examine the two bills, one of which proposes a constitutional amendment.

The parliamentary panel of 39 members will deliberate on the bill which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.

Among the Lok Sabha members, 17 are from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, including 12 from the BJP.

Union law minister Arjun Meghwal tabled the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill) 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Congress and Member of INDIA alliance against the bills which led to a lengthy and heated debate. After a division vote, the bills passed the first hurdle with ease. A total of 269 MPs voted in favour, while 198 opposed it. Following this, the bills were referred to a JPC for ‘wider consultation’.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha speaker today adjourned the house sine die, shortly after the lower house of the Parliament came to session at 11:00 am, amid protest over the Amit Shah remarks over Dr Ambedkar.

On the last day of the Parliament winter session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reiterated that it is each and every person’s collective responsibility to maintain the dignity of the Parliament and peace in the House.

As the House convene in the morning, the paper was laid by Arjun Singh Meghwal informing the House on the Bill to amend the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 be referred to as a Joint Committee of the Houses consisting of the 27 Members from this House.

Meanwhile, MP of both BJP and INDIA protested the parliament accusing each other over yesterday’s scuffle which led to an injury, two of BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput.

Opposition MPs also staged a protest at Vijay Chowk ,demanding that Home Minister Amit Shah apologise and resign for allegedly “insulting” Dr. BR Ambedkar. They also held a march from Vijay Chowk to Parliament.

To counter it, the Member of parliament of NDA also held a protest, outside the parliament premises alleging that the Congress party disrespected Dr BR Ambedkar.

Speaking to media, parliament affairs minister Kirien Rijiju said, “NDA MPs are very agitated over the conduct of Rahul Gandhi yesterday. He insulted one of the MPs from Nagaland and then injured two other MPs. Speaker has said that no protest should be done at Parliament gate. So, our MPs protested at the Mahatma Gandhi statue.”

New Delhi, November 30,2024: Noting that a transparent process is followed with the involvement of candidates and their agents at every stage of the voting process, the Election Commission has invited a Congress delegation to meet it on December 3 over its apprehensions concerning the voting percentage in Maharashtra elections. Congress had also raised some apprehensions about the EVM process after the Haryana assembly polls.
The poll panel has said it will review all legitimate concerns of Congress and provide written response after hearing the party’s delegation.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), in its interim response to Congress, reaffirmed that there is a transparent process with the involvement of candidates or their agents at every stage.
In its interim response, ECI also reiterated that there is a transparent electoral roll updation process with the involvement of political parties. The Commission has still assured Congress of further review of all its legitimate concerns, the officials said.
Responding to the issue raised by Congress regarding voter turnout data, EC asserted that there is no discrepancy in voter turnout data which is available with all candidates polling station-wise and is verifiable.
“The gap in 5 PM polling data and final voter turnout is due to procedural priorities, as presiding officers perform multiple statutory duties near the close of the poll before updating voter turnout data. As an additional disclosure measure, ECI press note, at around 11:45 pm, was thus introduced during the 2024 General Elections and followed subsequently during all assembly elections thereafter,” the poll panel said.
Congress on Friday alleged that the “integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised” and slammed the Election Commission.
The issue was discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting and the party said it will launch a “national movement.”
“The Congress Working Committee (CWC) believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission. Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take up these public concerns as a national movement,” the Congress statement said.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, who briefed the media, said that “electoral malpractices” also influenced the result of the Haryana Assembly election.
“The CWC also acknowledged that the party’s performance in Haryana has been contrary to all expectations. The INC should have formed the government in the state by a convincing margin, but it didn’t. However, there have been electoral malpractices that influenced the result in the state, which have been overlooked,” he alleged.
He said that the CWC accepted the party’s performance in Maharashtra, that was “unexplainable and shocking,” and it appears to be a clear case of “targeted manipulation.”
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole also wrote to the ECI seeking to know how voter turnout increased by 7.83 percentage points after the official polling time had ended.
“Doubts are being raised from many levels on the 7.83 per cent increase in votes. Looking at the vote figures announced by the Election Commission, there must have been long queues at the polling stations after 5 pm on the day of voting. In how many constituencies in the state were there long queues of voters after 5 pm?” Patole said his letter to the apex poll body.
He further demanded that the Election Commission announce “evidence,” including video footage.
“According to the official figures released by the Election Commission, 65.2 per cent voting was done till 11.30 pm on November 20. The official figures released on the next day, i.e. on November 21 at 3 pm, were 66.05 per cent. Where did the 1.03 per cent discrepancy in the figures officially released by the Election Commission itself come from? How did a whopping nine lakh ninetynine thousand and three hundred and fifty nine votes increase in a single day?” he asked.
The opposition has raised questions over EVMs, mentioning the rise in voting percentage in the Maharashtra polls.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi – comprising the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by Sharad Pawar and the Congress – won just 46 seats.
The BJP emerged as the biggest winner with 132 seats in the Maharashtra assembly while its allies–the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar–won 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20 and the results were declared on November 23.

Thursday 05,2024: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time, after Mahayuti’s landslide victory in the Assembly Elections 2024. Mahayuti, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance, includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Of the 288 seats, Mahayuti secured 230 seats – with BJP winning 132, Shiv Sena in 57 and NCP in 41 seats.

The swearing-in ceremony, which started at 5:30 pm Thursday, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of religious and political leaders.

Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers.

After taking oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis said that “in a coalition government, consultation has to be done on a very large scale” while talking about “delay” in forming government in the state.

“I don’t believe that there is any such delay (in forming the goverment). Even before this, in 2004, there was a delay of about 12-13 days. In 2009, there was a delay of about 9 days. We will have to understand that when there is a coalition government, many decisions have to be taken. In a coalition government, consultation has to be done on a very large scale. We have done that consultation and we have almost finalized the portfolio as well, there is some left, we will do that as well…,” he said in an interview to news agency ANI.

New Delhi, Dec 3,2024: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a series of directives to strengthen the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Protection, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).

The law, enacted to safeguard women against harassment at workplaces, has faced challenges in uniform enforcement across the country.

A bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh directed Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to ensure that District Officers are appointed in every district to oversee the implementation of the Act.

These officers, under the provisions of Section 5, are required to form Local Committees (LCs) as stipulated in Section 6, to address workplace harassment complaints in districts without Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs).

Justice Nagarathna emphasized the critical role of these committees and officers, stating that District Officers must also appoint nodal officers in every taluka or area to facilitate complaint management and direct submissions to LCs. “There is a pressing need to implement these provisions in States and Union Territories where they are yet to be enforced,” she remarked.

The Apex Court also emphasized the need for transparency and accessibility. It directed that the names of nodal officers must be publicly available on the SheBox portal, a centralized online platform for filing sexual harassment complaints.

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) informed the Court about its existing mechanisms to support complainants. These include a helpline (15100) that connects directly to District Legal Services Authorities, an online Legal Services Management System to handle complaints and assistance through legal services clinics and para-legal volunteers.

However, counsel for NALSA admitted that comprehensive data on the effectiveness of these mechanisms is not yet available.

Concerns were raised during the hearing about the lack of private-sector organizations registered on the SheBox portal.

The Court agreed and directed States and Union Territories to survey workplaces in private and public sectors to ensure compliance with the POSH Act.
In a significant move, the Top Court instructed Chief Secretaries to ensure that Deputy Commissioners or District Magistrates survey workplaces to identify those that have not yet constituted ICCs. Such organizations will be directed to comply with Section 4 of the Act, and penalties will be imposed under Section 26 for non-compliance.

The Court further directed that District Officers upload the details of ICCs and LCs on the SheBox portal through the Labor Department or Department of Women and Child Development in their respective States. It also called for the creation of SheBox portals in States and Union Territories where they do not exist.
The Bench reinforced its commitment to ensuring a safer and more equitable workplace environment for women across India.