Author: Rasmita Jena

  • New Bill to Change India’s Election System: One Nation, One Election

    New Bill to Change India’s Election System: One Nation, One Election

    Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is set to introduce a new bill called “The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024” in the Lok Sabha on December 16 (Monday). This bill aims to change how elections are held in India.

    The main idea is to have Lok Sabha (national) elections and State Assembly elections happen at the same time. The bill also includes plans to align elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.

    Some leaders from opposition parties are not happy with this idea. Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh raised concerns about what would happen if a state government loses power. He asked, “If a state government falls within six months, will that state remain without a government for the next 4.5 years?” He believes that it is unfair to expect people to wait so long for new elections.

    Another Congress MP, Jairam Ramesh, said that the “One Nation, One Election” bill should be discussed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. He believes the bill goes against the principles of democracy. This concern was echoed by Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge last year in a letter opposing the bill.

    Earlier this week, the “One Nation, One Election” bill was approved by the Union Cabinet. The hope is that these changes could save time and make elections across the country easier. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision, calling it a significant step for India’s democracy.

  • OpenAI Researcher Suchir Balaji Dies by Suicide at Age 26

    OpenAI Researcher Suchir Balaji Dies by Suicide at Age 26

    Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former researcher at OpenAI, has sadly died by suicide in his San Francisco apartment. The local medical examiner confirmed this news. Suchir previously voiced his worries about OpenAI’s use of copyrighted materials, sharing his thoughts in an interview with The New York Times last month.

    Balaji was a bright student who studied computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He worked at OpenAI for four years, contributing to projects like WebGPT and the team behind ChatGPT. After leaving OpenAI, he expressed concerns about how AI technology could negatively impact society, especially related to copyright laws.

    Just before his passing, Balaji was mentioned in a copyright lawsuit involving OpenAI. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Police Department found him after a wellness check was requested, and there were no signs of foul play at the scene.

    In an X post, Balaji shared that he became interested in copyright issues after noticing many lawsuits against companies that create generative AI products. He believed that these products could confuse or compete with the original data they were trained on.

    After the news of his death, an OpenAI spokesperson said they were heartbroken and sent condolences to Balaji’s family.

    If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please reach out for help. You can call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

  • Pushpa 2: The Rule Hits ₹758.93 Crore Amidst Controversy Surrounding Allu Arjun

    Pushpa 2: The Rule Hits ₹758.93 Crore Amidst Controversy Surrounding Allu Arjun

    The movie “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, completed 9 days since its release. On its second Friday, it made around ₹32.63 crore in India, bringing its total earnings to about ₹758.93 crore.

    In its first week, the film earned ₹725.8 crore, including ₹10.65 crore from its premiere and an impressive ₹164.25 crore on the first day. Though it faced some challenges on its first Friday with a collection of ₹93.8 crore, the weekend saw a big boost with earnings of ₹119.25 crore on Saturday and ₹141.05 crore on Sunday. During the following week, it also made ₹64.45 crore, ₹51.55 crore, ₹43.35 crore, and ₹37.45 crore.

    Allu Arjun’s Arrest and Bail

    During the premiere in Hyderabad, a chaotic situation arose as many fans flooded the theater, leading to a stampede. This unfortunate event resulted in the death of one fan, while her son was critically hurt. On Friday, Allu Arjun was arrested due to the situation, as police claimed he hadn’t informed them beforehand. However, a leaked letter showed that the theater management had contacted the police for help.

    The Telangana High Court granted Allu Arjun a 4-week interim bail after he was placed in a 14-day judicial remand. In response to his arrest, many stars including Varun Dhawan, Rashmika, and others expressed their support for him.

  • Supreme Court Acquits Man Over Reliance on Unreliable Witness Testimony

    Supreme Court Acquits Man Over Reliance on Unreliable Witness Testimony

    On Friday, the Supreme Court said that just because someone is a close relative or connected to a case (an “interested witness”), their testimony shouldn’t be ignored. However, it should be looked at more carefully.

    In this case, a man named George was found guilty of murder in 2015. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had upheld George’s conviction. But, the Supreme Court disagreed.

    The Supreme Court judges, Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, pointed out that George’s conviction relied only on the testimony of the father of the victim. They noted that the same father was not believed when it came to the other two suspects, which made things strange. The judges wondered how the court could trust the father’s statement for George but not for the others involved.

    The high court had doubts about the father’s story and gave the other two men a chance to go free. They found it hard to believe that the father had seen the incident as he claimed.

    Based on all of this, the Supreme Court said it was wrong for the high court to convict George while letting the other two go free. They ruled that George’s conviction was based on guesswork and not solid proof.

    Therefore, the Supreme Court canceled the high court’s decision from November 2019 and set George free from all charges. They instructed that he should be released unless he was needed for any other case.

    The incident happened in May 2015 in Thoothukudi district when the father reported that his son was attacked by three men while he was chatting with friends outside a church.

  • PM Modi: Mahakumbh Promises Unity and Economic Growth for All

    PM Modi: Mahakumbh Promises Unity and Economic Growth for All

    New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared exciting news about the upcoming Mahakumbh, a huge pilgrimage that takes place at the Sangam in Prayagraj every 12 years. He called it a “great ceremony of unity” because it brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures, and communities. This time, the event, which will happen in January next year, will also use new technology like artificial intelligence and chatbots to help visitors and boost the local economy.

    During a rally in Prayagraj, Modi talked about how important it is for everyone, regardless of caste or community, to come together at the holy Ganga river. He said the Mahakumbh will attract millions of people and many projects worth a lot of money have been started to prepare for it. “This event is a living symbol of our beliefs, spirituality, and culture,” he said.

    Modi highlighted how Mahakumbh will give a big boost to the economy. Many people from nearby areas will also benefit from the increase in visitors. “Over 6,000 boatmen, thousands of shopkeepers, and many others will have job opportunities,” he explained. With lots of visitors arriving by plane and train, economic activity in the region will increase.

    He mentioned that this time, modern technology will play a crucial role in the Mahakumbh. “People now have smartphones, and it’s easier to access information,” Modi noted. He introduced a new Mahakumbh Sahayak Chatbot that can chat with users in 11 different languages.

    The Prime Minister also took a moment to criticize the previous governments, stating they didn’t care enough about the pilgrims. He said, “Our government respects Indian beliefs and works hard to provide good facilities for pilgrims.”

    Modi explained that several tourist circuits related to important figures like Lord Ram, Buddha, and more are being developed now. He said that the Nishad (boatmen) community and sanitation workers will find plenty of jobs during this grand event with over 15,000 cleaners expected to help maintain cleanliness.

  • Rahul Gandhi Summoned Over Controversial Savarkar Remarks

    Rahul Gandhi Summoned Over Controversial Savarkar Remarks

    On Friday, a local court summoned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear on January 10, 2025. He is being accused of spreading hatred through his comments about the freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The court’s decision came after a complaint was filed by a local lawyer named Nripendra Pandey. Initially, the court dismissed the complaint in June 2023, but a higher court reversed that decision in October 2024, sending the case back for more review.

    The investigation revealed that Gandhi made the controversial statement during a press conference in Akola, Maharashtra on November 17, 2022, while on his Bharat Jodo Yatra. The complaint claims that he labeled Savarkar a “servant of the British” who accepted money from them, which angered many and disrupted unity among communities. The court found that Gandhi’s statements, which were widely shared on TV and social media, were likely aimed at spreading division among people.

  • Exciting New Café Launch at Kolkata Airport: Affordable Travel Treats!

    Exciting New Café Launch at Kolkata Airport: Affordable Travel Treats!

    New Delhi: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is planning to open a new café to help travelers get affordable snacks and drinks. K Rammohan Naidu, the civil aviation minister, announced this news at an event on Friday, marking the start of a special celebration for Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which has been operating for 100 years.

    The first café, called “Udaan Yatri Cafe,” will open at Kolkata airport as a test to see how it works. The café will have tasty food at good prices, so passengers can enjoy quality meals without spending too much money. Naidu said these small cafés will serve drinks like tea and coffee, snacks, and bottled water in the airport’s departure area.

    The minister shared that the goal is to make flying more affordable for everyone, as the civil aviation industry in India is growing fast. The sector not only helps the economy but also creates jobs. In the last ten years, air travel in India has become one of the biggest in the world. The minister believes the country can become the top domestic aviation hub globally.

  • INS Nirdeshak: New Indian Navy Ship to Boost Maritime Strength

    INS Nirdeshak: New Indian Navy Ship to Boost Maritime Strength

    The Indian Navy is ready to welcome its newest survey ship, INS Nirdeshak, in a special ceremony at Visakhapatnam on December 18. This ship is unique because over 80% of it was made in India, showing the Navy’s commitment to self-reliance, called ‘Aatmanirbharta’. The Defense Minister, Sanjay Seth, will lead the ceremony, which will also have many important guests, including senior naval officers.

    INS Nirdeshak, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, is 110 meters long and can carry about 3,800 tonnes. It runs on two diesel engines and has advanced tools for exploring the ocean and studying the sea floor. This ship can help with nautical surveys, improve navigation, and assist in various sailing operations.

    This new INS Nirdeshak is the second ship in the Survey Vessel (Large) Project and it takes its name from the old Nirdeshak, which served for 32 years before being retired in 2014. The ship can stay at sea for over 25 days and reach speeds of more than 18 knots.

    With its mission to map India’s waters and support operations in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Nirdeshak will be important for India’s security at sea. The Navy revealed the ship’s crest, which calls it ‘the Pathfinder of the Seas’, symbolizing India’s strength in the ocean. The design also features the nation’s commitment to protecting its waters, using advanced technology to navigate and explore underwater.

  • Manipur CM Urges Unity Amidst Violence at Cultural Festival

    Manipur CM Urges Unity Amidst Violence at Cultural Festival

    Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh recently highlighted the need for all local communities in Manipur to come together. He believes that unity is crucial, especially after many years of sharing the land. Singh said that the Manipur Indigenous People’s Cultural Exchange Festival, held at Chadong village in Kamjong district, is a big step towards bringing peace back to the area.

    He stated, “Manipur belongs to its native people, and our ancestors fought to protect this land for over 2,000 years. We are dedicated to protecting their history and culture.” The Chief Minister also encouraged everyone to learn about population and demographic details to challenge any false stories that might create division.

    Furthermore, Singh announced the destruction of 100 acres of illegal poppy farms, with help from the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and local groups. He criticized the Congress party, saying they are trying to create rifts in the state.

    Recently, violence erupted in the Jiribam district after six women and children were found dead. In a separate incident, ten armed militants died during heavy fighting. Some Kuki groups claimed those who died were not militants but local volunteers. According to Kuldiep Singh, a security advisor, the ongoing ethnic violence, which started on May 3 last year, has led to the deaths of 258 people, including militants. The conflict began after a protest march for the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status in the hill areas.

  • NHAI Unveils High-Tech Patrol Cars to Boost Highway Safety!

    NHAI Unveils High-Tech Patrol Cars to Boost Highway Safety!

    NEW DELHI: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has exciting news! They are planning to replace old highway patrol cars with new ones called ‘Rajmarg Saathi.’ These new cars will have cool dashboard cameras and smart AI features that can spot cracks, potholes, and even recognize vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, and other important things on the highway.

    Every week, these cars will collect data about the road conditions and send it to the government’s IT system. The NHAI is also making sure that patrol personnel are easily recognizable by redesigning their uniforms to bright blue with reflective stripes and NHAI logos.

    To be ready for emergencies, these new vehicles will have special cabinets for equipment, making things more organized compared to the messy open trunks they have now.

    This announcement comes just after the NHAI said that private contractors who build and maintain national highways will be rated based on their performance. If contractors score under 70 out of 100, they will not be allowed to take on new projects until they improve. This rating will be updated every six months, both for individual projects and overall contractors. You can find the ratings on the NHAI website and their social media.

    The ratings will mostly consider the pavement condition index, which looks at things like road roughness, potholes, cracking, and more. They will use advanced tools like laser systems to measure road conditions accurately.