Nation

New Delhi: The opposition erupted in protest after the Parliament passed the ‘Viksit Bharat–Ji Ram Ji’ bill, which replaces the MNREGA scheme. While ruling party leaders defended the move as a necessary reform, Union Minister and LJP-R MP Chirag Paswan sharply criticized the opposition, questioning why they were objecting to a name that invokes Lord Ram, a name revered by Mahatma Gandhi. Opposition Stages Protest The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha during the day and in the Rajya Sabha late at night. TMC MPs led the opposition, staging a 12-hour sit-in on the Parliament steps. Paswan questioned their protest, asking: “Why oppose in the name of Ram? It was Mahatma Gandhi’s most beloved name, and he uttered it in his last moments—‘He Ram’.” Chirag Paswan Targets TMC MPs Addressi...

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha has approved the Sustainable Harnessing of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, a landmark legislation aimed at strengthening India’s nuclear energy regulations. The bill legally codifies the security of nuclear power plants, marking a significant shift from past practices where safety measures largely depended on government directives and post-incident actions. Opening Doors for Private Sector ParticipationThe SHANTI Bill not only enhances security but also opens opportunities for private companies to participate in India’s nuclear energy sector. With an eye on meeting the country’s clean energy requirements by 2047, the government has emphasized that the bill establishes a robust, continuous regulatory framework rather than relying on one-tim...

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the critical role of India’s strategic projects in securing the nation’s assets and enhancing its defence capabilities. Speaking at the Air Force Commanders’ Conference, he highlighted that the Sudarshan Chakra project is set to play a significant role in safeguarding national assets in the coming years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced this ambitious national defence shield initiative on 15 August earlier this year. Indigenous Jet Engine Development Becomes National MissionAddressing senior Air Force officers, Rajnath Singh said that the development of indigenous jet engines has now become a national mission. He stressed that the government is fully committed to achieving these strategic defence goals, reflecting India’...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has made a significant remark in the case of 31-year-old Harish Rana, who has been in a coma for the past 13 years. His parents have petitioned the court to allow passive euthanasia for their son. The court indicated that the time has come for it to make the final decision. Harish Rana, who fell from the fourth floor on 20 August 2013, has undergone treatment in multiple hospitals, but his condition has not improved. AIIMS Delhi submitted a second medical board report as per the Supreme Court’s direction, which, like the first report, states that Harish has virtually no chance of recovery. Supreme Court Bench RemarksThe bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Vishwanathan, described the AIIMS report as “very tragic.” Before proceeding furt...

New Delhi: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has upheld a father’s will, ruling that his daughter Shaila Joseph is not entitled to any share of his property. The court emphasized that when a will is clear, the testator’s wishes are supreme and cannot be overridden. Background of the Case The father, N.S. Shridharan, had excluded Shaila from his estate among his nine children because she had married outside their community. Earlier, both the trial court and the High Court had ordered the property to be equally divided among all nine children, questioning the validity of the will. The Supreme Court has now reversed those rulings. Supreme Court Verdict A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddeen Amanullah and K. Vinod Chandran stated, “No interference is permissible with a wil...

New Delhi: Pakistan is now shifting its focus toward Europe, targeting nations with strong ties to India. In recent months, Islamabad has been actively strengthening political and economic relations with Poland, one of India’s long-standing friends in the region. High-Level Engagement According to Pakistani media reports, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski visited Pakistan in October to explore enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defense, education, and counter-terrorism. During the visit, both countries formalized a significant bilateral deal, particularly emphasizing collaboration in mining and energy, building on the success of Polish oil and gas projects in Pakistan. Expanding Bilateral Trade A report in Pakistan’s leading E...

New Delhi: After allegedly defrauding Indian Overseas Bank, Pune, of ₹17 crore in 2013, Ashutosh Pandit disappeared without a trace. Known as the director of the private company “House of Laptops,” Pandit had evaded authorities for over a decade. By April 2018, a court had formally declared him a fugitive. Disappearing Act Like a Magician Pandit vanished as if performing a magician’s trick. Taking refuge in the sun-kissed coastal state of Goa, he assumed a new identity. Neighbors in the quiet Bambolim area knew him as Yatin Sharma, a law-abiding citizen, unaware of his past. Fake Identity and Documents Under his assumed name, Pandit had secured PAN and Aadhaar cards, creating an impenetrable web of false documentation. He even obtained a passport from Delhi, which he renewed wi...

New Delhi: India faces its most severe diplomatic and strategic challenge since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The escalating crisis in Bangladesh, marked by political instability and rising violence, threatens India’s security, regional influence, and the well-being of minorities in the neighboring country. A parliamentary committee led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has identified five critical crises India must contend with. 1. Threats to Minority Communities The committee report highlights that the decline of the Awami League, rise of youth-led nationalism, increasing Islamic influence, and growing Chinese and Pakistani presence have created a turning point in Bangladesh. Minority communities, particularly Hindus, are bearing the brunt of violence. Recent attacks include the ...

New Delhi: With air pollution in Delhi-NCR reaching hazardous levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued strict new directives to curb the open burning of waste across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The commission has also instructed authorities to submit monthly compliance reports to monitor progress. Key Directives for Delhi Legacy Waste Clearance: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) must eliminate 1.4309 million metric tons of legacy waste by December 2027. Monthly Processing Targets: Approximately 350,000 metric tons of waste must be processed every month, with monthly reports submitted to CAQM. Expansion of Facilities: All waste processing facilities must be upgraded without delay to ensure timely waste management. Enhanced Monitoring:...