Category: India

  • Uttar Pradesh’s Forest Cover Grows: A Step Toward Sustainability

    Uttar Pradesh’s Forest Cover Grows: A Step Toward Sustainability

    Uttar Pradesh (UP) is making great strides in increasing its forest and tree cover. According to a statement from the state government, UP recorded an increase of 559 square kilometers, making it the second-highest in the country! This news was shared during the release of the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) in Dehradun.

    Arun Kumar Saxena, the Minister of Forests and Environment, praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for guiding everyone to plant more trees. Thanks to teamwork, UP achieved this impressive result, coming in second place for growing its green cover. Only Chhattisgarh did better!

    As a whole, India’s forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445 square kilometers since 2021, now covering 25.17% of the country. This means a lot more trees are helping clean our air! The report also stated that India has added a carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes since 2005.

    The country aims to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes by 2030 to meet its goals under the Paris Agreement. Currently, India’s forest cover stands at 715,343 square kilometers, which is 21.76% of the land. The tree cover has also gone up by 1,289 square kilometers, now accounting for 3.41% of the geographical area.

    In summary, the major states that saw the biggest rises in forest and tree cover were Chhattisgarh (+684 sq km), Uttar Pradesh (+559 sq km), Odisha (+559 sq km), and Rajasthan (+394 sq km). This shows how much progress is being made in protecting our environment!

  • Devotee Demands iPhone Back from Temple: A Clash of Beliefs”

    Devotee Demands iPhone Back from Temple: A Clash of Beliefs”

    The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has said no to a man who wanted his iPhone back after it accidentally fell into a donation box at the Sri Kandaswamy temple. The phone is now considered the temple’s property.

    Dinesh, the man who lost his phone, was trying to make a donation when the phone slipped from his hand. After finding out the phone was in the donation box, he asked temple officials to give it back. However, they told him he could only retrieve the data from it, not the phone. Dinesh was not happy with this answer and wanted his phone back.

    HR and CE Minister P K Sekar Babu responded to this situation by saying that anything that goes into the donation box belongs to God. He explained that all donations are considered offerings to the deity of the temple. Therefore, the rules say they cannot return any items dropped in the donation box.

    He mentioned he would talk with department officials to see if they could help Dinesh in some other way.

    This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. In May 2023, a woman named S Sangeetha dropped her gold chain into a donation box at the Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple in Palani. After checking the security footage and seeing the chain fell by accident, the temple chairman bought her a new gold chain to help her out.

    According to the temple rules set in 1975, anything put into the donation boxes belongs to the temple and cannot be returned to the owner.

  • How Sci-Fi Became Our Reality: The Fast-Paced World of Technology

    How Sci-Fi Became Our Reality: The Fast-Paced World of Technology

    Many years ago, when I was younger, I loved reading and watching science fiction. It showed me a world of amazing technology. I imagined computers that could solve problems in an instant, chatbots in our cars or on our wrists, sunglasses that could take pictures, and touchscreen gestures that seemed magical. Fast forward to now, and a lot of that imagination has become real. But technology is coming at us so fast these days, it feels almost too strange to believe, even though it’s true!

  • PM Modi’s Landmark Visit to Kuwait: Strengthening India-Kuwait Relations

    PM Modi’s Landmark Visit to Kuwait: Strengthening India-Kuwait Relations

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just arrived in Kuwait for a two-day visit. This is a big deal because it’s the first time in 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited this Gulf country. Modi received an invitation from Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait.

    During his trip, Modi plans to talk with the leaders of Kuwait to build a better partnership for the future. He also emphasizes the strong friendship between India and Kuwait that has lasted for many years. The two countries have a lot in common, including interests in peace and stability in the West Asia region.

    Modi looks forward to meeting the Emir, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait. Plus, he will attend the start of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup event.

    Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait back in 1981. Today, India is one of Kuwait’s top trading partners, with a trade amounting to around USD 10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24.

    The Indian community in Kuwait is very vibrant and large, making up 21% of Kuwait’s total population, which is about 1 million people. Indians also form 30% of the workforce in Kuwait, both in the private and domestic sectors. Indian exports to Kuwait recently reached USD 2 billion for the first time!

    Kuwait is also important for India’s energy needs since it is the sixth-largest supplier of oil to India, meeting 3% of its energy supply. India and Kuwait’s friendship goes back to a time when trade by sea was crucial for Kuwait’s economy.

  • Kejriwal Faces ED’s Legal Action Over Excise Policy Corruption!

    Kejriwal Faces ED’s Legal Action Over Excise Policy Corruption!

    Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, has allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to take legal action against Arvind Kejriwal, the head of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former Chief Minister. This decision comes just before the Delhi assembly elections.

    On December 5, the ED asked for permission to prosecute Kejriwal after finding evidence of serious corruption related to the excise policy, which is about how liquor is sold in Delhi. They detailed their findings in a complaint submitted to a court earlier this year.

    The ED claims that Kejriwal worked with a group called the South Group to receive Rs 100 crore (about $13 million) and gave unfair advantages to certain private businesses by creating a liquor policy just for them. They allege that this group was favored in several liquor shops and even allowed to manage multiple sales areas, breaking the rules designed for the Excise Policy 2021-22.

    The agency also accuses Kejriwal of using around Rs 45 crore earned from criminal activities to fund AAP’s campaign in the Goa elections, showing he knew about this money. The ED states that AAP was the main recipient of these illegal funds and that Kejriwal, as a leader in the party, was responsible for handling them.

    According to the ED, Kejriwal tried to hide this money by using illegal cash transfers, which is linked to money laundering defined by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

    In July 2022, Saxena recommended that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) look into issues with how the Delhi Excise Policy was made and applied. Kejriwal was arrested in March this year on money laundering charges but was granted bail by the Supreme Court in September.

  • PM Modi’s Significant Two-Day Visit to Strengthen India-Kuwait Relations”

    PM Modi’s Significant Two-Day Visit to Strengthen India-Kuwait Relations”

    On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started a two-day trip to Kuwait, invited by Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait. This is the first time in 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Kuwait!

    During his visit, PM Modi will attend the opening of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as a special guest and meet with the Indian community at the ‘Hala Modi’ event in Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Sports Complex. He shared on social media that he is excited to meet the Crown Prince of Kuwait and strengthen India’s long history with Kuwait.

    Arun Kumar Chatterjee, from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, explained that this visit is very important because it shows the strong friendship between India and Kuwait. PM Modi will be honored with a guard of honor at the Bayan Palace (Kuwait’s main palace) and will have meetings with Kuwaiti leaders to discuss various topics like trade and culture.

    This visit is expected to create new opportunities for cooperation between India and Kuwait and will also improve relationships with other countries in the Gulf. Chatterjee mentioned that PM Modi will visit a labor camp to show that India cares about its one million workers in Kuwait

  • Cold Wave Hits North India: Stay Warm and Safe!”

    Cold Wave Hits North India: Stay Warm and Safe!”

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a cold wave will affect parts of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan until December 24. From December 20 to 24, cold conditions can be especially strong in Himachal Pradesh. After that, on December 25 and 26, some colder areas will still feel a chill.

    The IMD also reported that cold wave conditions are expected in Punjab and Rajasthan on December 21 and 22. People in these areas should be ready for very cold weather!

    Fog has been a big problem too, with thick fog likely in some parts of Himachal Pradesh and East Rajasthan until December 22. Recent days have seen biting cold in Punjab and Haryana. Faridkot, for example, reached a chilly 2 degrees Celsius on December 19.

    In Pathankot, Punjab, the minimum temperature dropped to 4 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the towns of Bathinda and Gurdaspur both felt the cold with temperatures around 4.6 and 4 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    Haryana is not warming up either. The coldest place there was Sirsa, which saw a low of 4.2 degrees Celsius. Hisar was chilly at 5.6 degrees, and Karnal felt it too at 6.8 degrees. Bhiwani reported a low of 6.9 degrees Celsius.

    In Kashmir, the weather was even colder. Srinagar recorded its coldest night this season, dropping to -6.2 degrees Celsius, just a bit lower than -6 degrees the night before. The weather team has said that dry weather will continue until December 26 but light snowfall is possible in higher areas overnight on December 21-22.

  • Haryana Schools Closed as State Mourns Former CM Om Prakash Chautala

    Haryana Schools Closed as State Mourns Former CM Om Prakash Chautala

    The Haryana government has declared a holiday for all schools on Saturday, December 21, after the passing of Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala, a former Chief Minister of Haryana and leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). To honor him, the state will observe three days of mourning from Friday, December 20, to Sunday, December 22. During this time, the national flag will be lowered to half-mast on all government buildings.

    All state government functions will be canceled, and there will be no official celebrations. The government also announced that Saturday would be a public holiday for all state offices to show respect for Chautala.

    Chautala’s funeral will take place at 3 PM on Sunday at his family’s farm in Sirsa district. He was 89 years old when he passed away on Friday in Gurugram after suffering a cardiac arrest. His family includes two sons and three daughters. His wife Sneh Lata passed away five years ago.

    Many political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shared their condolences. Modi called Chautala a dedicated politician who worked hard for the state. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed sadness at Chautala’s passing, sayingit is a great loss for Haryana and the country.

  • Rahul Gandhi Faces Charges After Parliament Fight: Here’s the Story

    Rahul Gandhi Faces Charges After Parliament Fight: Here’s the Story

    On Friday, the Delhi Police moved the case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to the Crime Branch. This is after he was accused of hurting BJP MPs during a fight at the Parliament. The clash happened when members from the NDA and INDIA blocs were trying to enter the house for a protest about disrespecting BR Ambedkar.

    Two BJP MPs, Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, got hurt in the incident and even had to go to the hospital. The BJP claims Rahul pushed them while trying to enter, but Rahul says it was the BJP MPs who threatened and blocked him. He believes they are making these accusations to divert attention from the Adani Group being criticized in the U.S.

    An FIR (First Information Report) against Rahul was filed for various charges, including causing injury and using criminal force. It was registered at the Parliament Street Police Station. Congress also filed a complaint because they say BJP MPs treated Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge badly.

    A senior police officer mentioned that they will look at video footage of what happened and have also received the Congress complaint. Doctors said the BJP MPs were recovering well after their treatment.

    Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul’s sister, spoke out, saying that these police efforts show the BJP is feeling desperate. She mentioned that the BJP keeps filing new cases against Rahul as a way to distract everyone.

  • Government Panel Recommends Major Changes to Rural Job Scheme (MGNREGS)

    Government Panel Recommends Major Changes to Rural Job Scheme (MGNREGS)

    NEW DELHI: A government panel is suggesting big changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). This program was set up to give jobs to people in rural areas by promising 100 days of work each year for every household. The panel believes that areas with more poor families should get more job opportunities. They also want to start a special program to improve rural infrastructure where there are more job opportunities.

    The nine-member committee, led by Amarjeet Sinha, shared its ideas with the government after studying how different states are managing this scheme. Some of the main recommendations include:

    – Increasing the number of workdays per job card from 100 to between 150 and 200 days, especially in areas with more disadvantaged families.
    – Regularly adjusting wages based on a five-year schedule.
    – Making sure community development plans work hand in hand with MGNREGS projects.
    – Finding ways to better manage and track how MGNREGS is working, using reliable, real-time data.

    The report also pointed out issues like low wage rates affecting productivity, problems with a mobile monitoring system, and payment delays. It stressed that the wage should be set based on an index that considers inflation, like the Consumer Price Index for Rural Laborers.

    While speaking about the scheme’s performance over 19 years, the committee recognized that it has helped many families during tough times. However, they also noted that it has had its share of problems due to poor implementation.

    The government is expected to discuss these recommendations soon, and some changes could happen quickly. Still, any major changes needing more money will involve discussions with the finance ministry.