Author: Sarita Jena

  • Rajya Sabha Functions Again: Key Issues Raised in Session

    Rajya Sabha Functions Again: Key Issues Raised in Session

    New Delhi:After several days of confusion, the Rajya Sabha, which is a part of India’s Parliament, started working normally again on Tuesday. Members of the House began discussing important public issues. They started with the Zero Hour, a time set aside for urgent issues, followed by the Question Hour where questions can be asked.

    Since the beginning of the Winter Session on November 25, the Rajya Sabha had not let any business happen because opposition members kept raising strong objections about various topics. These topics included serious claims of corruption against the Adani Group and recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

    On Tuesday, members of the Samajwadi Party (SP) left the House during Zero Hour, and members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) also walked out shortly. Earlier, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar mentioned that he had received 42 requests for adjournment under Rule 267, which is a record in the last 25 years of the Constitution. However, he did not approve any of these requests.

    Dhankhar also pointed out that one member had submitted more than one request under Rule 267 and said it was impossible to consider all of them. He expressed his disappointment that one request was made public before being discussed. This was called a serious issue and he said it would be talked about with leaders of different parties. He urged members to keep to high ethical standards.

    Later, the House moved on to mention important local issues. M Mohamed Abdulla (DMK) and Vaiko (MDMK) discussed the damage caused by Cyclone Fengal in Tamil Nadu. Subhasish Khuntia (BJD) asked for faster work on the new international airport planned for Puri, Odisha. Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) raised concerns about the recent violence in Sambhal. Congress member Pramod Tiwari also spoke about the same issue.

  • Devastating Floods in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Promises Relief Support

    Devastating Floods in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Promises Relief Support

    Many areas in Tamil Nadu were hit hard by heavy rains, causing flooding, damaged roads, and a lack of basic supplies. In Villupuram district, people in Arasur ran out of essential items and protested for help. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to ask about the situation and promised support from the central government.

    Cyclone Fengal caused serious damage across 14 districts, ruining roads and electricity lines and causing major flooding. This storm led to the loss of 12 lives and destroyed countless homes, huts, and livestock. It also harmed local crops and irrigation systems.

    In Arasur, 18 people who had to take shelter in a damaged temple were rescued. Similarly, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) helped evacuate people and animals in Cuddalore district. A sad incident in Thiruvannamalai district resulted in the death of seven people, including five children, when a boulder crushed their house after rolling down from Annamalaiyar Hill due to mudslides. Their bodies were found after a long rescue operation.

    State Minister E.V. Velu visited the rescue sites and noted that the area had never experienced mudslides before, despite heavy rains since 1965. Schools in the Nilgiris, Ranipet, Salem, and Thiruvannamalai districts remained closed because of the situation. Chief Minister Stalin met with officials to discuss the damage and promised to speed up relief efforts.

  • Boosting India’s Economy Through Sports: Insights from a New Report

    Boosting India’s Economy Through Sports: Insights from a New Report

    The government should find ways to use sports to help the economy grow, according to a new report. This report, called the “Future of Sports in India,” suggests that the government should create policies that encourage more investment in sports facilities, events, and related products.

    It also recommends that the government offer incentives to companies to support sports programs as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. This CSR funding could help set up high-performance training centers, equipped with experienced coaches, nutritionists, and both mental and physical trainers.

    The report states that the government should create policies to support training programs for coaches, sports managers, and jobs related to sports, especially in smaller towns and rural regions. Although the sports industry in India has made great progress, there are still some challenges, like financial struggles for athletes, unused facilities, and a need for more inclusivity. Solutions could include expanding financial aid, creating better career transition paths for athletes, and promoting an inclusive culture.

    Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of bidding for and hosting international sporting events and diversifying sports options across different states to also boost sports tourism. It notes that the Indian sports industry is growing rapidly and is expected to expand from $27 billion in 2020 to $100 billion by 2027. This growth is driven by the popularity of sports leagues, advancements in technology, and increasing interest in various sports. Areas like sports gear, clothing, and media rights are particularly contributing to this rise, with the sports media market projected to jump from $1 billion in 2020 to $13.4 billion by 2027. Finally, exciting performances by Indian athletes at the 2023 Asian Games and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics show that India is becoming more competitive in the world of sports.

  • Ongoing Protests in Lok Sabha Over Violence: Opposition Walks Out

    Ongoing Protests in Lok Sabha Over Violence: Opposition Walks Out

    New Delhi: Almost all the opposition members in the Lok Sabha, including Rahul Gandhi, walked out of the House on Tuesday to protest the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

    The commotion started when Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav asked the Speaker, Om Birla, for permission to discuss a very serious issue—the deaths of five people in the violence. But the Speaker told him that the matter could be raised during the Zero Hour, which led Yadav and his colleagues to walk out in protest.

    While SP members shouted slogans, DMK member A. Raja encouraged other opposition members, including Congress members, to join the protest. Some members of the NCP and Shiv Sena-UBT also stood up to support the SP. Rahul Gandhi then joined the protest on the floor.

    While the protest was ongoing, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju spoke with Yadav about the issue. After some time, Yadav signaled to his party’s MPs to leave and the opposition members, including Gandhi, walked out together. They later returned to take part in the Question Hour.

  • Deloitte Launches AI Center in India: New Opportunities Ahead!

    Deloitte Launches AI Center in India: New Opportunities Ahead!

    Deloitte is planning to open a new center called the Global AI Simulation Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, India. This center will focus on new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), especially a type called generative AI. In an interview, Nitin Mittal, who leads Deloitte’s global generative AI, explained why India was chosen for this exciting project.

    Why Did Deloitte Pick India?
    Deloitte decided on India for a few important reasons. First, India has a lot of skilled workers in the field, not just in Deloitte but also in startups and schools. Second, many big companies, like those on the Fortune 500 list, operate here. In Bengaluru alone, 38% of these companies are located. Other places, like the Nordic countries, may have talent but not at the same level or price. India offers unique benefits that help both global and local clients.

    How Much Money is Deloitte Investing?
    Deloitte is investing between $5 to $10 million in this new AI center and some related initiatives. This money will be used for things like technology, software, and other resources.

    Will Generative AI Make Services Cheaper?
    While it might seem like costs will go down, generative AI is actually helping create more business opportunities. More clients are interested in working with Deloitte, which means more projects and new areas of advice.

    What Will Change with Generative AI?
    Old methods of giving advice, like creating presentations, are changing. Now, Deloitte uses generative AI to gather insights first and then adds expert opinions. This approach helps clients visualize and interact with information in new ways, leading to more successful deals with new clients.

    Will Deloitte Use Generative AI in Services?
    Yes! In the past 18 months, Deloitte has worked with over 700 clients using generative AI. Currently, about one-third of their clients want to see this type of AI in their projects. In the next 18 months, this number is expected to grow to about two-thirds.

  • Shraddha Kapoor Rents a Stunning Luxury Apartment in Juhu, Mumbai!

    Shraddha Kapoor Rents a Stunning Luxury Apartment in Juhu, Mumbai!

    Bollywood star Shraddha Kapoor has just rented a fancy apartment in Juhu, Mumbai, for a steep price of Rs 6 lakh every month. This big apartment is about 3,929 square feet and is located on the third floor of a luxury building. Shraddha signed the lease for one year and has already paid for the whole year in advance. The deal, registered on October 16, also gives her special access to four parking spots in the building.

    The apartment is in a popular luxury tower that many other movie stars and rich people love. Juhu is known for its beautiful beach, nice restaurants, and many other cool places, making it a top choice for celebrities. This lease shows how much Bollywood stars like to live in fancy homes in Mumbai’s elite areas.

  • ICC Under Fire: U.S. and Russia Challenge Court’s Authority

    ICC Under Fire: U.S. and Russia Challenge Court’s Authority

    The head of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, is upset with the United States and Russia for interfering with the court’s work. She called their actions terrible and compared them to terrorizing the ICC.

    U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, whose party will control Congress soon, called the ICC a “dangerous joke” and said anyone who tries to help the ICC will face sanctions. He got angry after the ICC decided to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister for serious crimes during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This is the first time the ICC has gone after a leader from a major Western ally.

    The ICC is struggling because it doesn’t have its own police and relies on countries to carry out its arrest orders. Some countries, like France, say they will think about the legal protections Netanyahu might have before acting. Austria said it would follow the warrant reluctantly, while Hungary expressed support for Israel instead of the ICC.

    Global legal expert Janina Dill warned that these threats could hurt international justice efforts. Meanwhile, Karim Khan, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, is facing serious personal allegations. He is accused of trying to pressure a coworker into a relationship. An investigation is starting, but it’s uncertain if this will be discussed at the ICC meeting.

    The ICC was created in 2002 to bring people who commit terrible crimes to justice, but it has faced criticism for not being effective and not being able to capture wanted leaders.

  • IIT Kanpur Class of 2025: 579 Job Offers on Placement Day 1!

    IIT Kanpur Class of 2025: 579 Job Offers on Placement Day 1!

    The Class of 2025 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has kicked off the 2024-25 placement season with an impressive start! On the very first day, students landed 579 job offers. Out of the 523 students looking for jobs, many got positions through campus hiring and Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs), which are job offers given to students before the placement week starts. Some students received more than one offer, and 199 students decided to accept their PPOs right away.

    In addition, 13 students succeeded in getting international job offers. This exciting day saw strong participation from 74 well-known companies. Big names like Microsoft, Texas Instruments, Databricks, Google, American Express, SLB, and Deutsche Bank were among the top companies hiring students from IIT Kanpur.

    Professor Manindra Agrawal, the director of IIT Kanpur, said, “The high number of job offers, including many international ones, shows how much the world values IIT Kanpur’s high-quality education and our talented students.”

  • Partha Chatterjee’s Bail Hearing Delayed Amid Serious Money Laundering Claims

    Partha Chatterjee’s Bail Hearing Delayed Amid Serious Money Laundering Claims

    On Monday, the Supreme Court paused the hearing about TMC leader Partha Chatterjee’s bail request. Chatterjee is involved in a money laundering case related to a job scam in West Bengal. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan wanted to look at more documents before making a decision.

    During the hearing, Chatterjee’s lawyer shared information about how long he has been in custody for other cases. The Court asked for details about how long Chatterjee has been in police custody and judicial custody. This case is about problems with hiring primary school teachers, and many witnesses are expected to speak, but the trial hasn’t started yet.

    Chatterjee, who is 73 years old, has been in jail for almost 2.5 years. His lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, told the Court that there are 183 witnesses in this case, but things are moving slowly. On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), warned that the charges against Chatterjee are serious. The ED found over Rs 21 crore in cash connected to Chatterjee.

    The Supreme Court recognized the seriousness of the case and mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and the conviction rates in money laundering cases are low. It was shared that a chargesheet has been filed, but the investigation is still continuing. It was also noted that Chatterjee is in judicial custody for another case with the CBI.

    Chatterjee was arrested by the ED in July 2022 for his part in the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam, which involves problems in hiring teachers and non-teaching staff for government schools. His associate, Arpita Mukherjee, was also arrested. The ED discovered over Rs 49 crore in cash, gold bars, and important documents linked to Chatterjee and Mukherjee.

    After Chatterjee’s arrest, he was removed from his ministerial duties, and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) kicked him out of all party roles, including secretary general. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the CBI to investigate illegal hiring for several staff positions and teachers in the state.

  • Kerala Braces for Heavy Rain: IMD Issues Alerts for Cyclone Fengal

    Kerala Braces for Heavy Rain: IMD Issues Alerts for Cyclone Fengal

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Monday that Kerala will have heavy rain because of cyclone Fengal. This cyclone is now a strong low-pressure area over northern Tamil Nadu and is expected to grow stronger as it moves towards the Arabian Sea, passing through northern Kerala and Karnataka by December 3.

    Rainfall Forecast in Kerala
    Today, the IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall in most parts of Kerala, with some areas likely to see very heavy rain and thunderstorms. Tomorrow, heavy rain is expected in the northern and central parts of the state, along with some light to moderate rain and occasional thunderstorms over the next five days.

    Weather Alerts for Multiple Districts
    Red alerts are in place for five northern districts: Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram, due to heavy rains. Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts are under an orange alert, while Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta have a yellow alert.

    School Holidays in Affected Areas
    Due to the weather, the district administration in Kasaragod announced that all schools, including professional colleges, tuition centers, anganwadis, and madrasas, will have a holiday on Tuesday. However, model residential schools will remain open. Similar holidays were also announced on Monday in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, and Wayanad districts.

    Government Advice
    Kerala’s Revenue Minister K Rajan urged everyone to be careful as rain is expected to get stronger in northern Kerala. According to the IMD, a red alert means very heavy rainfall over 20 cm in 24 hours. An orange alert means rain between 11 cm and 20 cm, while a yellow alert warns of rain between 6 cm and 11 cm.

    Residents are advised to stay informed about the weather and follow local instructions.