Author: Rasmita Jena

  • Karnataka’s Proposed 4% Muslim Contractor Quota: What You Need to Know

    Karnataka’s Proposed 4% Muslim Contractor Quota: What You Need to Know

    The Congress party in Karnataka is planning to introduce a new law in the current legislative session. This law would give Muslim contractors a special 4% share when awarding government contracts. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing pressure from party leaders who represent Muslims. They claim that the Congress won many votes from Muslims in the recent elections, helping them secure 136 seats in the assembly.

    Currently, contractors from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) get a 24.1% reservation for government contracts. Recently, the government also expanded this benefit to other communities in Category 1. They have also increased the contract size limit from Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 1 crore.

    According to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999, all departments must follow these quotas when giving out contracts for projects costing up to Rs 1 crore. Departments like minor irrigation, rural development, urban development, public works, and health regularly issue these contracts.

    Muslim leaders have pointed out that there are only two ministers from their community, which they believe is not enough. They argue that since many Muslims supported the Congress in the elections, they deserve better representation and opportunities.

    The proposed law has upset the opposition party, BJP. BJP state president BY Vijayendra argues that creating a special quota for Muslims is unfair and will divide society based on religion. He stated that while the BJP supports welfare measures for all minority communities, this particular move seems like playing politics with Muslim voters.

    Vijayendra also criticized the Congress for only acknowledging Muslims as minorities and said that giving quotas based on religion is not right.

  • Arsenal Shines in Champions League with 7-1 Win Against PSV Eindhoven!

    Arsenal Shines in Champions League with 7-1 Win Against PSV Eindhoven!

    Kolkata: Arsenal finally found their groove, scoring seven goals in a huge 7-1 victory against PSV Eindhoven. This win not only gave Arsenal a strong start in the Champions League knockout stage but also set a record for the most goals scored by any team in an away knockout game.

    In the first half, Arsenal dazzled the crowd with three goals in just 13 minutes! Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, and Mikel Merino each found the back of the net. The second half was just as exciting, with Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard scoring two quick goals. Odegaard scored again and assisted Riccardo Calafiori for the final goal. This game was full of action and thrill!

    Despite missing key players like Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal showed they could cope. Young star Nwaneri, only 17, scored and became one of the youngest players to score in a Champions League knockout match!

    This performance puts Arsenal among great teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who also had massive wins in the past. PSV, who were doing well earlier in the season, struggled against Arsenal’s attacks.

    Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, praised the players, saying, “Thank you for your special performance tonight.” Arteta aims to keep improving the team’s gameplay, and they definitely delivered this time, dominating PSV in every way.

    With six of their seven goals scored from inside the box, Arsenal sent a clear message: they mean business! PSV managed to score just once using a penalty kick, but they couldn’t keep up with Arsenal’s energy and skill.

    Overall, it was an unforgettable night for Arsenal fans, and they look like strong contenders to meet a Madrid team in the next round.

  • New Ropeways for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib: Fast and Easy Pilgrimage

    New Ropeways for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib: Fast and Easy Pilgrimage

    The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for two ropeway projects at the important religious sites of Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand. These new ropeways will make it easier for pilgrims to reach these places, which are visited by millions every year.

    The Kedarnath ropeway will stretch 12.9 km and connect different stops, making the journey faster and more comfortable. Instead of taking about 8 to 9 hours to travel around 16 km by foot or pony, it will now take just 36 minutes! This is great news for elderly people and those with disabilities. The ropeway can carry 1,800 passengers every hour, which means it can move 18,000 people in one day. The project will cost ₹4,081.28 crore and will be built as a partnership between the government and private companies.

    Kedarnath, located high in the mountains at 3,583 m (11,968 ft), is an important place for Hindu pilgrims. The temple here is open for about six to seven months each year and attracts around two million visitors during that time.

    The Hemkund Sahib project is another exciting development. This ropeway will be 12.4 km long and will help visitors reach the holy site for Sikhs and the stunning Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts between 150,000 to 200,000 visitors each year. The project will cost about ₹2,730.13 crore and will use a different type of gondola system to carry passengers.

    Additionally, the government has rolled out a new disease control program for livestock that focuses on important issues like foot and mouth disease and brucellosis. The total budget for this program is ₹3,880 crore over the next two years and will also include initiatives to provide better access to veterinary medicines.

    With these projects, the government aims to improve travel to these spiritual sites while also supporting local communities.

  • How FDA Approval Impacts Pharma Stocks Beyond Nifty Numbers

    How FDA Approval Impacts Pharma Stocks Beyond Nifty Numbers

    Let’s take a closer look. Imagine the Nifty is at 26,000 points or maybe at 22,000 points. Does it change how well a pharmaceutical company is doing after it just got approval from the US FDA for one of its factories? After four years of hard work, the answer is no, it doesn’t.

    However, the Nifty’s points do matter when it comes to the stock price of that company. Even so, what truly counts for the stock price in the long run is how well the company is making money. Some people may say that other factors, like tariffs, can have an impact too, but at the end of the day, money is what matters most.

  • Meghan Markle Accused of Racism Over Awkward Moment with Mindy Kaling

    Meghan Markle Accused of Racism Over Awkward Moment with Mindy Kaling

    Meghan Markle, now known as the Duchess of Sussex, is under fire for what some people think was a racist reaction toward Mindy Kaling, a popular actor and comedian of Indian descent. This incident came from a scene in Meghan’s Netflix show, “With Love, Meghan.”

    During the second episode, Meghan invited Mindy to her home in Montecito. Mindy complimented Meghan, saying, “By the way, I wanna ask about your look.” However, she mispronounced the word “look” as “lewk.” Meghan seemed confused and didn’t understand at first. She asked, “My who?” and needed Mindy to repeat herself. When Mindy clarified, saying “Your look, Meghan,” the Duchess jokingly repeated, “My lewk?” which many viewers thought was disrespectful.

    This lighthearted moment quickly sparked outrage on social media, with some accusing Meghan of pretending not to understand Mindy because of her accent. Mindy Kaling was born in India but grew up speaking English. Despite this, some people felt that Meghan’s response was rude and insensitive, especially since it seemed like she was making fun of Mindy’s pronunciation.

    Many users on social media expressed their disappointment and called Meghan’s actions “racial bullying” and “mean girl behavior.” They felt Meghan should have laughed it off instead of correcting Mindy on a small mistake.

    One user declared, “It’s incredibly rude to correct someone, especially on worldwide TV.” Another person shared their shock, saying, “I can’t believe they actually aired that. It felt very passive-aggressive.”

    This incident has generated a lot of conversations online about accents, respect, and kindness.

  • Delhi CM Gupta Vows to Fulfill Election Promises Amid AAP’s Pressure

    Delhi CM Gupta Vows to Fulfill Election Promises Amid AAP’s Pressure

    Delhi’s Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, responded strongly to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday. She said that the AAP cannot control what her government does, and she promised that the BJP will keep the promises made during the election. The AAP has been pushing the BJP to start its plan of giving Rs 2,500 every month to women. They have been talking about this in the assembly meetings and organizing protests.

    In a press conference, Gupta said, “No one needs to remind us how much time we have left. We’ll work on our plan, and they can’t tell us what to do.” She mentioned that her government is talking to women’s groups to prepare the upcoming Delhi budget, focusing on important issues like health, safety, and helping women in their careers. Gupta assured that all women’s expectations will be included in the government’s plans.

    Over the next three days, Gupta plans to visit slum areas to talk with women and learn about their needs. She also wants to hear from young people. Gupta is committed to creating a budget that meets the hopes of Delhi’s people. The AAP is putting pressure on the BJP by putting up posters across the city, reminding everyone that there are only three days left to keep the promise of giving Rs 2,500 to women by March 8, which is International Women’s Day. The AAP is asking the new BJP government for a clear timeline about when this money will be given to women.

  • Daredevil: Born Again – Charlie Cox and Original Cast Return!

    Daredevil: Born Again – Charlie Cox and Original Cast Return!

    Daredevil: Born Again” is the exciting new series that brings Daredevil to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While the character has made guest appearances in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “She-Hulk,” this new Disney+ show is the first time Daredevil has his own series in the MCU.

    One of the coolest parts of the show is that the original cast from the Netflix series “Daredevil” is back! Fans are thrilled to see Charlie Cox return as Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, also known as The Kingpin. Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll are also back as Foggy Nelson and Karen Page, two characters loved by fans.

    Elden Henson shared how special it is to be playing Foggy again after so many years. He explained that when Netflix canceled the original show in 2019, they didn’t get to say goodbye to these characters. “I love the character so much, and it’s great to come back,” he said.

    Charlie Cox also expressed his joy at having his co-stars back. He said, “It feels special. It wouldn’t feel right without these characters.” He joked about the script that said, “the years have been kind to them,” saying it made him laugh because life has been tough for these characters.

    “Daredevil: Born Again” is not only part of the MCU, but it also continues the story from the original Netflix show that aired for three seasons from 2015 to 2018. The series will start streaming on JioHotstar in India, with new episodes coming every week starting March 5.

  • Should NRIs Be Taxed in India? A Controversial Suggestion Sparks Debate!

    Should NRIs Be Taxed in India? A Controversial Suggestion Sparks Debate!

    An American woman named Dana Marie, who lives in Bengaluru, suggested that non-resident Indians (NRIs) should pay taxes in India. She shared her ideas on a social media platform called Threads. Dana mentioned that many Indians feel overwhelmed by high taxes and some even think about moving to other countries just to lower their tax bills.

    She argued that if NRIs paid taxes, it could help India a lot. This extra money could improve the country and encourage talented Indians to stay and work there instead of going abroad. Dana said she didn’t want NRIs to pay as much tax as Indian residents, but she felt they should contribute something.

    Dana’s suggestion sparked mixed reactions online. Some users pointed out that NRIs live outside India and do not use the country’s services daily, so it wouldn’t be fair to tax them. Others said that if NRIs were taxed, they might not want to return to India.

    Mitesh Aswani, an NRI living in Dubai, responded by saying that NRIs already help India’s economy through various means, like sending money back home, buying property, and paying taxes on their investments in India. He believes NRIs make a significant contribution to India’s development.

  • Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty Dazzle at HT Awards – Looking Timeless!

    Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty Dazzle at HT Awards – Looking Timeless!

    Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty recently lit up the HT India’s Most Stylish Awards with their amazing dance! They performed their famous song, “Chura Ke Dil Mera,” from the movie “Main Khiladi Tu Anari,” and fans couldn’t stop cheering.

    What made it even more exciting was how great they both looked! A video shared by a Reddit user showed them dancing together after 30 years, both dressed in stunning white outfits. Akshay wore a sharp white suit, and Shilpa looked beautiful in a white net saree.

    Fans who saw them were filled with nostalgia and remarked on how youthful they appeared. One Reddit user said, “How does she keep her body looking so good?” Another fan exclaimed, “They look like they haven’t aged at all!” Many were amazed by their appearance in their 50s, saying they looked fantastic and still have so much charm. Some even suggested filmmakers should cast them together in a romantic comedy.

    Akshay and Shilpa have worked together in several films, including “Main Khiladi Tu Anari,” “Dhadkan,” and “Jaanwar.” Their song “Chura Ke Dil Mera,” sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik, remains a favorite among fans.

    What’s Next for Akshay?
    Akshay was last seen in the movie “Sky Force,” which featured stars like Veer Pahariya and Sara Ali Khan. He’s busy with many upcoming films, including “Kesari Chapter 2,” “Housefull 5,” “Bhooth Bangla,” “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Hera Pheri 3,” and “Jolly LLB 3,” starring Arshad Warsi.

  • Kieron Pollard Hits Six Sixes in a Historic T20I Match!

    Kieron Pollard Hits Six Sixes in a Historic T20I Match!

    On this day in 2021, Kieron Pollard made history by hitting six sixes in one over during the first T20I match against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. He became only the third player ever to do this in international cricket, joining Herschelle Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh. Pollard’s amazing achievement was even more exciting since it happened right after Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya took a hat-trick in his last over, dismissing three West Indies players in a row.

    Sri Lanka batted first and scored 131 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka was their best player, scoring 39 runs. The West Indies bowlers, especially Obed McCoy, who took 2 wickets for 25 runs, did a good job keeping the Sri Lankan batting under control.

    The West Indies started strong, with openers Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons putting up 52 runs in just 19 balls. Lewis scored 28 runs, and Simmons added 26. But then, Dananjaya changed the game with a stunning hat-trick in the fourth over, taking out Lewis, Chris Gayle, and Nicholas Pooran in consecutive deliveries. Suddenly, the West Indies went from a great position at 52 without losing a wicket to 52 for 3.

    Pollard didn’t let this faze him. In the sixth over, he faced Dananjaya and unleashed a fierce attack. He hit six sixes in that over! He started with a powerful shot over midwicket, followed by another huge hit straight over the sightscreen. Then he blasted one over long-off, and the next sailed over wide long-on. Even with one hand off the bat, he sent the fifth ball flying over the leg-side boundary. Finally, he flicked the last ball over deep midwicket.

    This incredible display made Pollard part of an elite group, being only the third batsman to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket and the second in T20 matches. Earlier, Herschelle Gibbs did it in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup against the Netherlands, and Yuvraj Singh did it in the first-ever ICC World T20 against England the same year.

    Pollard scored a rapid 38 runs off just 11 balls, turning the game back in favor of the West Indies. Although he got out soon after, Jason Holder helped secure the win by scoring 29 not out, finishing the chase at 134 for 6 in just 13.1 overs, hitting the winning six.

    “I just had to come out and back myself. It was something the team needed. I didn’t see the hat-trick, I only heard. But I still had to come out and do what the team required at that point in time. After the third six, I felt it was possible. I went for it and it paid off,” Pollard said after his amazing performance. For Sri Lanka, it was a wild game, filled with excitement from Dananjaya’s hat-trick to the disappointment of giving up six sixes in two overs.