Author: Sarita Jena

  • Verdict Today in Shocking Doctor Rape and Murder Case in Kolkata

    Verdict Today in Shocking Doctor Rape and Murder Case in Kolkata

    Today, at 2:30 PM, a court in Sealdah, Kolkata, will announce its decision on the tragic rape and murder of a young Post Graduate Trainee doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This awful incident happened in August last year and sparked protests all over India, leading to an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

    Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, is the main suspect in this case. His arrest came just a day after the doctor’s body was discovered in a seminar hall at the hospital. While the CBI investigated, they also arrested former RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh and former police officer Abhijit Mondal for tampering with evidence. However, both received “default bail” since the CBI did not file all necessary paperwork on time.

    The victim’s father said, “We want justice and believe multiple people were involved. How can Sanjay Roy be the only one?” He emphasized the family’s fight for the truth and hopes that the court considers all evidence.

    Many junior doctors have joined the movement for justice, questioning how someone could enter the hospital and commit such a crime. Committed to seeking justice, they continue to fight for accountability.

    In a different but related case, a death sentence was given for the rape and murder of a young girl. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee praised the swift action of the police and the quick trial, affirming that such crimes will not go unpunished.

  • Kohli and Rahul Miss Ranji Trophy Matches: What BCCI Says

    Kohli and Rahul Miss Ranji Trophy Matches: What BCCI Says

    Star India cricket stars, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, have told the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) that they are injured and can’t play in the Ranji Trophy right now.

    Virat Kohli is having trouble with his neck. He got a shot to help with the pain on January 8, but it hasn’t worked, so he will miss Delhi’s game against Saurashtra in Rajkot. It has been a long time since Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy—his last match was in November 2012 against Uttar Pradesh, where he scored 14 and 42 runs. In his 155 first-class matches, he has made 11,479 runs, with 37 hundreds and 39 fifties. His best score is 254.

    On the other hand, KL Rahul is struggling with his elbow and won’t be playing for Karnataka in their next match against Punjab in Bengaluru. His last Ranji game was in March 2020, where he scored 26 and 0 runs.

    Recently, the BCCI announced new rules that say players must play in domestic matches to be eligible for the national team and central contracts. They want players to stay active in domestic cricket to help them improve, stay fit, and support the domestic game. Changes to this rule can only happen in special situations and must be approved by the chairman of the Selection Committee.

    Other young talents like Rishabh Pant (Delhi), Shubman Gill (Punjab), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai), and experienced player Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra) have all confirmed they will play in upcoming Ranji Trophy matches.

  • AAP’s Bold Promise: Free Utilities for Tenants in Delhi!

    AAP’s Bold Promise: Free Utilities for Tenants in Delhi!

    In preparation for the upcoming Delhi assembly election on February 5, 2025, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal announced that if AAP wins, tenants who currently do not get free electricity and water will be included in their program. The counting of votes will happen on February 8.

    Kejriwal’s party is competing against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in a closely watched election, hoping to win a third term. Recently, Kejriwal promised several benefits, including a monthly payment of ₹2,100 for women, free healthcare for older citizens, and ₹10 lakh insurance for auto drivers.

    Additionally, he said that Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) will receive funds to hire private guards to improve security if AAP returns to power. These new benefits will be added to existing services, such as improved schools, health clinics, and free electricity already provided by the AAP government.

    The election will be held on a Wednesday to encourage more people to vote, similar to a past election in Maharashtra. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar assured that the election process will be finished by February 10 and addressed concerns about eligible voters being removed from the voters’ list.

  • AIBE 19 Result 2024: How to Check and What to Expect!

    AIBE 19 Result 2024: How to Check and What to Expect!

    The Bar Council of India has not yet released the results for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) 19, which took place on December 22, 2024. If you took this exam, you can check your results at the official website: allindiabarexamination.com once they’re announced.

    After the exam, a provisional answer key was shared on December 28, 2024. If you thought there were mistakes in the answer key, you could raise objections from December 30, 2024, to January 10, 2025. Each objection costs ₹500. If your objection is valid, you will get your ₹500 back!

    There was also a note on some mix-ups between the question paper booklet numbers and OMR answer sheet numbers during the exam. Don’t worry! Your results will still be evaluated based on the question set code you wrote on your OMR sheet. This issue will not impact your result.

    How to Check AIBE 19 Results 2024:

    1. Go to the official website: allindiabarexamination.com.
    2. Click on the “AIBE 19 Result 2024” link on the homepage.
    3. A new page will open where you need to enter your login details.
    4. Click “submit” and your result will appear.
    5. Check your result and download your scorecard.
    6. It’s a good idea to print a copy for your records!

    Stay tuned for the results and best of luck!

  • Rs 11,440 Crore Plan to Revive RINL and Boost Indian Steel Manufacturing

    Rs 11,440 Crore Plan to Revive RINL and Boost Indian Steel Manufacturing

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a big plan worth Rs 11,440 crore to help Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) recover. This plan includes putting in Rs 10,300 crore as new funds to bring the company back on track. The Union Steel Minister, H D Kumaraswamy, explained that there are also plans to combine KIOCL with NMDC in the future, and a decision about merging RINL with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) will be made later.

    RINL aims to reach a steel production of 14,000 metric tonnes by January and hopes to use 92.3% of its total production capacity soon. It can produce about 7.3 million tonnes of steel each year when fully running. Two of RINL’s blast furnaces will start working in January, and another one is set to begin by August 2025.

    The money coming in also includes changing Rs 1,140 crore of a working loan into a special share that can be redeemed after 10 years to keep RINL running. RINL has already hit its borrowing limits with banks and cannot take out more loans. It has also defaulted on loan repayments in June 2024.

    RINL owes around Rs 35,000 crore, but the Minister believes this can be paid off as the plant starts making money. Officials are hopeful that RINL will become profitable by the end of this year. The decision to revive RINL was made recently, and the Salem steel plant in Tamil Nadu will also be brought back to life. Kumaraswamy noted that there is a need for special types of steel in India.

    Additionally, he mentioned the plan to merge KIOCL, which produces iron-oxide pellets, with NMDC, which meets about 20% of India’s iron ore needs.

  • FBI Closes DEI Office: Trump Calls for Records Retention

    FBI Closes DEI Office: Trump Calls for Records Retention

    The FBI decided to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office in December of last year, right after Donald Trump won the election. Trump has asked the FBI to keep all records related to this office. The FBI said it would officially close the DEI office by December 2024, but they didn’t explain why they made this choice.

    Trump’s team promised to reduce DEI programs when he became the president. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “We need to keep all the records of the closing DEI office. It should have never been started, and it should’ve closed a long time ago. Why is it closing just one day before the new president takes over? It’s because of CORRUPTION!”

    Many Republicans criticized the FBI after a terror attack in New Orleans because they think the FBI was more focused on DEI than on catching criminals. Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee asked why the FBI was even involved in DEI in the first place. She believes the FBI should concentrate on catching bad guys instead of trying to win “participation trophies.” Blackburn also wrote to the FBI’s director, Christopher Wray, expressing her concerns that the FBI was hiring less qualified people just to meet DEI goals.

    She stated that older FBI agents believe the agency is becoming less effective because it’s not hiring the best candidates anymore. Blackburn warned, “Your focus on DEI is putting our nation’s safety at risk.” She pointed out that people feel more unsafe after events like the January 1 terror attack, and she thinks the FBI’s choice to prioritize diversity over skill is a big reason why.

    Christopher Wray plans to leave the FBI when Trump takes office on January 20. Trump has chosen Kash Patel, a current national security official, to lead the FBI, but the Senate needs to approve him first.

  • 60-Year-Old Gets 12 Years for Raping and Impregnating Minor Girl

    60-Year-Old Gets 12 Years for Raping and Impregnating Minor Girl

    A Delhi court has given a 60-year-old man a harsh 12-year prison sentence for raping and getting a young girl pregnant. The judge, Susheel Bala Dagar, said that being too easy on the offender could make other victims lose faith in the justice system. The man, who lived near the girl, was found guilty of serious sexual crimes against a minor under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

    The man had tricked the girl into having a relationship in 2017, which resulted in her becoming pregnant. After giving birth, she left the baby, who was later discovered and taken to an orphanage. The court ordered the man to serve 12 years in prison and pay a fine of ₹5 lakh.

    The public prosecutor, Yogita Kaushik Dahiya, pointed out that the baby suffered because of the man’s actions. The court believed that raping a girl so young causes deep emotional and physical harm that can last a lifetime. The judge mentioned that the girl would face difficult questions and judgment from society and her own family, leading to challenges in her future, including finding a respectful relationship.

  • Kotak Mahindra Bank Earnings: Expectations for Q3 2024 Revealed!

    Kotak Mahindra Bank Earnings: Expectations for Q3 2024 Revealed!

    Kotak Mahindra Bank, India’s third-largest private bank, is likely to report a 9-11% growth in its earnings from interest in the last three months of 2024. Experts believe that the bank’s earnings from interest (known as net interest income or NII) could reach between Rs 7,140 crore and Rs 7,251 crore.

    The bank’s profit is also anticipated to grow by around 9-11.3%, with estimates suggesting it could be between Rs 3,268 crore and Rs 3,345 crore. These predictions come from four financial research companies: Nomura, Citi, Emkay Research, and Elara Capital.

    However, the bank’s net interest margin (NIM)—which shows how well it makes money from the difference between what it pays for deposits and what it earns from loans—might drop. This is happening because of a weaker CASA (Current Account Savings Account) ratio.

    Experts say that the bank will have to set aside more money for bad loans because of rising unpaid loans in unsecured categories like retail and microfinance. Kotak will reveal its quarterly earning report on Saturday, January 18.

    Brokerage Predictions:

    – Nomura: Predicts NII will grow by 9%, reaching Rs 7,140 crore. Profit might be around Rs 3,340 crore, up 11% from last year. They expect the NIM to drop to 4.9%.

    – Citi: Expects NII to be Rs 7,133 crore, an increase of 9%. However, profit could drop 2% from last quarter to Rs 3,268 crore.

    – Emkay Research: Sees NII hitting Rs 7,251 crore, with profit possibly at Rs 3,345 crore.

    – Elara Capital: Projects NII at Rs 7,175 crore, with a 11% profit increase to Rs 3,329 crore.

  • CBSE Launches Parenting Calendar to Support Students’ Learning

    CBSE Launches Parenting Calendar to Support Students’ Learning

    The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is creating a special committee to make a “Parenting Calendar” for the school year 2025-26. This calendar will help parents and schools work better together to support students, including those who learn online. The aim is to improve students’ learning, handle behavior issues, and keep track of how they are doing in school.

    The committee will have 10 members led by Anuradha Joshi, who is the Principal of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in Delhi. Other members include principals from well-known schools across India.

    Key Goals of the Committee:
    – Make it easier for parents and teachers to talk to each other.
    – Support all types of students, including those with special needs and different age groups.
    – Create a clear way to communicate about important school milestones.
    – Offer help when needed through planned meetings.

    Members of the Committee:
    1. Anuradha Joshi (Chair, Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi)
    2. Dr. Swati Popat Vats (Podar Education Network, Mumbai)
    3. Rekha Krishnan (Vasant Valley School, Delhi)
    4. Manju Arif (Delhi Public School, Bangalore North)
    5. Dr. Nivedita Ganguly (DAV International School, Ahmedabad)
    6. Minakshi Kushwaha (Birla Vidya Niketan, Delhi)
    7. Richa Agnihotri (Sanskriti School, Delhi)
    8. Annie Koshy (St. Mary’s School, Delhi)
    9. Dr. Paramjit Singh (Army Public School, Ambala)
    10. Dr. Diganta Haldar (Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti, Assam)

    What the Committee Will Do:
    – Hold online or in-person meetings.
    – Work together to make good decisions.
    – Create the Parenting Calendar according to their goals.

    The CBSE wants the committee to finish their work and share their ideas by March 15, 2025. This effort shows how much CBSE cares about keeping parents, teachers, and schools connected so that students get the support they need.

  • Trade Tensions: How U.S. Policies Impact Indian Exports

    Trade Tensions: How U.S. Policies Impact Indian Exports

    The new US President, Donald Trump, plans to set up trade restrictions that could change the way China sells its products, especially to other countries in Asia, including India. A report by Crisil says that this could make it harder for Indian businesses to sell their products both in Asia and around the world.

    Because Trump might raise tariffs (taxes on imports) on Chinese goods, China may try harder to sell its products to Asian countries. This could lead to more competition for Indian exporters, possibly slowing down India’s export growth.

    The report also mentions that India’s economic situation is facing some challenges. While exports were doing well in the first part of the year, they fell sharply in the second. In fact, in December 2024, India’s exports dropped by 1% compared to last year, mainly because of large falls in exports of gems and jewelry (down 26.5%) and oil (down 28.6%). Although there was a small growth in core exports like garments and coffee, it wasn’t enough to offset the overall decline.

    Importantly, India’s trade deficit (when the country buys more than it sells) is getting bigger, which is a worry. However, strong service exports and high remittance inflows (money sent back home by Indians working abroad) are helping keep things stable.

    Crisil believes the future of trade in the coming months will depend on how China shifts its sales and how India tackles the challenges that come with it.