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  • PM Modi’s Vision for Year-Round Tourism in Uttarakhand

    PM Modi’s Vision for Year-Round Tourism in Uttarakhand

    Dehradun: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for Uttarakhand to become a year-round tourist destination. He wants to take steps to make sure the state doesn’t have an “off-season” for tourists. Currently, many people visit Uttarakhand during the summer months of March, April, May, and June, but interest drops after that, leaving hotels and home stays empty throughout winter. This seasonal tourism harms the local economy and the environment, Modi explained during an event in Uttarkashi to promote winter tourism.

    Modi suggested a “360-degree approach to tourism,” which would create jobs for local youth all year and help the state reach its economic potential. “When the rest of the country is foggy in winter, Uttarakhand enjoys sunshine,” he noted, encouraging the promotion of “Gham Tapo Tourism” (which means basking in the sun). He also encouraged businesses to hold meetings and events in the area to boost winter tourism.

    During his speech, Modi talked about the ongoing projects by both the central and state governments to improve tourism. These include the all-weather Char Dham road, modern expressways, and upgrades to rail and air services. He also mentioned two new ropeway projects for Kedarnath and Hemkund, which recently received approval. The Kedarnath ropeway will make travel from Sonprayag to Kedarnath much faster, cutting the journey from 8-9 hours down to just about 30 minutes. The total cost for both ropeway projects is ₹6,811 crore and should be finished in about 4 to 6 years.

    The number of people visiting the Char Dham Yatra has increased from 1.8 million per year before 2014 to about 5 million now. This year, the budget includes funding to develop 50 tourist spots, which will improve facilities and create more jobs.

    PM Modi also talked about the Vibrant Village Programme launched in 2023 to help develop certain villages along India’s northern border, calling them the “first villages” of the country now. He stressed the importance of new homestays in boosting tourism and helping local families earn more money. Those who build homestays can benefit from financial support under the Mudra Yojana program.

    He concluded by kicking off a trek and bike rally from Harsil to the tribal village of Jadung to help promote tourism in border areas. Modi reassured that efforts are being made to make these places livable again, especially the village of Jadung, which was evacuated during the 1962 India-China war. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami added that winter tourism is important for many families during the Char Dham Yatra and highlighted that new winter tours are being started thanks to Modi’s guidance.

  • PTET 2025 Registration: Apply Now for B.Ed & B.A B.Ed/B.Sc B.Ed Courses!

    PTET 2025 Registration: Apply Now for B.Ed & B.A B.Ed/B.Sc B.Ed Courses!

    The Office of Coordinator in Rajasthan has started the registration for the PTET 2025. If you want to enroll in B.Ed, B.A B.Ed, or B.Sc B.Ed courses, now’s your time! You can register online at ptetvmoukota2025.in.

    Here’s what you need to know:
    – Registration Starts: Today!
    – Last Date to Apply: April 7, 2025
    – Application Fee: ₹500 for one course. If you apply for both the 4-year BA B.Ed and B.Sc B.Ed, it will cost ₹1000.

    Steps to Register:
    1. Go to ptetvmoukota2025.in.
    2. Click the link for either B.Ed or B.A B.Ed/B.Sc B.Ed courses.
    3. Fill in your details to register.
    4. Log in to your account.
    5. Complete the application form and pay the fee.
    6. Submit the form and save a copy for your records.

    The Pre-Teacher Education Test (PTET) will happen on June 15, 2025. Don’t forget to check the website for updates!

  • Tendulkar’s Vintage Show Stuns as Australia Masters Prevail in IML 2025!

    Tendulkar’s Vintage Show Stuns as Australia Masters Prevail in IML 2025!

    The best way to enjoy cricket is to watch Sachin Tendulkar bat. Don’t believe it? Just ask Shane Watson! When Watson saw Tendulkar hit a straight drive during a cricket match, it took him back 15 years. The crowd at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara was excited to see Tendulkar perform like a pro in a match between India Masters and Australia Masters during the International Masters League (IML) 2025.

    Even though Watson (110 runs) and Ben Dunk (132 runs) helped Australia Masters win by 95 runs, everyone was buzzing about Tendulkar’s incredible batting. He scored a quick 64 runs in just 33 balls, which included seven fours and four amazing sixes. The best moment was when he hit a straight six off bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, which Watson called the “shot of the night.”

    Watson said, “We won the match, but Sachin played the best shot. That straight drive took me back in time instantly. The boys were cheering silently. His shots were so good, especially that straight six and the cover drive. Sachin looked so happy after hitting them.”

    The IML is giving fans a chance to see some of cricket’s greatest players back on the field, with the final match happening in Raipur on March 16. Watson enjoyed playing in the tournament and spoke highly of it. “It’s so much fun to be back, playing against Sachin and sharing the field with my friends from the Australian team. The quality of cricket is fantastic. If people at home aren’t entertained, I don’t know what will entertain them!”

    Chasing a target of 270 runs, India Masters were bowled out for 174, with Xavier Doherty taking five wickets for just 25 runs.

  • Supreme Court to Revisit ED’s Authority Under Money Laundering Act

    Supreme Court to Revisit ED’s Authority Under Money Laundering Act

    The Supreme Court announced on Thursday that it will decide in April if it should rethink its 2022 decision that supported the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) power to arrest and seize property under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

    A panel of judges, Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, mentioned that the case was supposed to be reviewed by a larger group of three judges, but it was mistakenly assigned to them. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, agreed and suggested the case be postponed until late April or the first week of May.

    Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who is representing the person challenging the decision, urged that the case should be heard quickly by the three-judge panel. Justice Surya Kant noted that he had asked for the case to be sent to the larger panel, and he was confused about why it came to the two-judge panel instead.

    Justice Surya Kant promised to provide a specific date for the hearing but confirmed that it would not happen before the end of April. The Supreme Court is looking at several requests to re-examine the ruling from July 27, 2022. On that date, the court had allowed the ED to keep its powers for arrest and property seizure related to money laundering cases.

    In August 2022, the court agreed to consider a request for a review of the July decision, noting that two issues—failing to provide an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and the reversal of the presumption of innocence—needed to be looked at again.

    The Supreme Court recognized the global concern about money laundering as a serious threat to the financial system. In its ruling, the court also confirmed that agencies under the 2002 PMLA law are not the same as police and that they don’t have to provide an ECIR copy in every case. Instead, they only need to explain the reasons for the arrest at the time it happens.

    The ruling came after more than 200 petitions were filed by various people and groups questioning different parts of the PMLA law, which some opposition leaders argue is misused by the government to target political opponents. The court also stated that Section 45 of the PMLA, which makes certain money-laundering offenses serious and hard to get bail for, was reasonable and fair.

  • Language Controversy in Mumbai: Why Marathi Matters

    Language Controversy in Mumbai: Why Marathi Matters

    Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, a senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), talked about the languages spoken in Mumbai and caused some confusion. He mentioned that Mumbai doesn’t only have one language. According to him, different areas speak different languages, and in Ghatkopar, for example, many people speak Gujarati. He suggested that living in Mumbai doesn’t mean you need to speak Marathi, the main language of Maharashtra.

    However, after his comments got a lot of attention, Joshi clarified his statement. He told ANI that he didn’t mean to say Marathi wasn’t important. He confirmed that while many languages are spoken in Mumbai, Marathi is still the main language, since Mumbai is in Maharashtra. He expects that people moving to the city should make an effort to learn and understand Marathi.

    In support of this, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, stated that learning Marathi is important because it is part of the state’s culture and identity. He emphasized that everyone living in Mumbai should know the language.

    Aaditya Thackeray from the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that people from other places should respect the local language, just like they do in other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

  • Indian Stocks Rise: RBI Boosts Banks and Investors Cheer Lower Oil Prices!

    Indian Stocks Rise: RBI Boosts Banks and Investors Cheer Lower Oil Prices!

    Indian stock markets experienced a positive day on Thursday for the second time in a row. Investors bought stocks that were undervalued, and financial stocks went up after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to add $21 billion in cash to banks. Energy stocks also did well due to lower oil prices. The markets were helped by U.S. President Donald Trump’s temporary decision to hold off on tariffs for car imports from Mexico and Canada.

    The main index, BSE Sensex, increased by 609.86 points, finishing at 74,340.09. The broader Nifty 50 index rose by 207.40 points to reach 22,544.70.

    Key Highlights:

    – Reliance Industries, which is one of the biggest companies on the stock market, saw its shares rise by 3%. Several financial analysts said it’s a good time to invest in this stock.
    – Energy stocks gained 2% as crude oil prices dropped. Asian Paints, a popular paint brand, saw its shares jump by 4.8%.
    – Financial stocks increased by 0.5%, helped by the RBI’s decision to provide more funds to banks. So far this year, the RBI has injected a total of Rs 4.5 lakh crore since mid-January.
    – Zydus Lifesciences shares rose by 2.1% after getting approval for a leukemia drug from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The trend in the broader market was also positive, with the Nifty Midcap 100 rising by 0.4% and the Nifty Smallcap 100 jumping by 1.3%.

    Experts are optimistic about the market, especially after Trump’s decision eased worries about trade. They also noted that falling oil prices, due to reduced demand, are giving a boost to energy and metal sectors.

    One analyst, Vinod Nair, mentioned that the market shows strength from key financial stocks. The Nifty index is recovering, and there is optimism for further gains unless it falls below 22,300.

  • India Advances to Champions Trophy Final with Epic Win Over Australia!

    India Advances to Champions Trophy Final with Epic Win Over Australia!

    Team India is going to the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 after an exciting four-wicket victory over Australia on Tuesday. Virat Kohli was the star of the match, making a fantastic 84 runs in the chase for 265 runs. He received great support from Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and KL Rahul.

    The real hero of the day was Hardik Pandya. He scored a quick 28 runs when India needed them the most, hitting three huge sixes and one four. His powerful batting changed the game and helped India secure the win. The match became very tense towards the end, and the Indian players were really nervous.

    In a fun video shared on Instagram, Hardik was seen chatting with Axar Patel, trying to ease the tension. Hardik said, “I was smiling. I knew I would hit those sixes. I could tell everyone in the dressing room was a bit tense, but I was calm inside.”

    Axar joked about the nervousness in the dressing room, saying, “We were thinking about running twos and singles, hoping Hardik and Rahul would keep the game going.” KL Rahul, who scored an important 42 runs without getting out, added that Hardik’s runs helped reduce the pressure on him. He said, “Hardik hit those crucial sixes, and it made my job easier. I’m really happy we won!”

    With this victory, India is set to play New Zealand in a thrilling final for the Champions Trophy title!

  • Bangladesh’s Election Hopes: Nahid Islam’s Vision for Change

    Bangladesh’s Election Hopes: Nahid Islam’s Vision for Change

    Bangladesh’s temporary government is struggling to keep people safe, making it hard to hold elections this year, said Nahid Islam, the leader of a new political party. Last August, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power after big protests led by students, some of which turned violent. The interim government, led by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, recently announced that elections might not happen until the end of 2025, even though protests are still going on.

    Islam, a 26-year-old former student leader who recently became the head of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), feels the situation is not safe enough for a national election. He shared his views during his first interview as party leader at a government-provided house in Dhaka. His comments are significant because he was an adviser in the interim government and is the first important politician to question Yunus’s election timetable.

    Experts think that this young party could change the long-standing politics in Bangladesh, which has been controlled by Hasina’s Awami League and Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party for many years. Both of these traditional parties want elections to happen soon, believing a democratically elected government should take charge again.

    There have been incidents of violence, such as attacks on government symbols and clashes among different student groups. Reports also suggest there are attacks on homes and businesses, especially targeting Hindus and other minority groups, although the interim government claims these reports are exaggerated.

    Islam stated that the NCP, formed just last week, will be ready for the elections whenever they occur. However, he stressed that before the elections can be held, everyone needs to agree on a document called the ‘Proclamation of the July Revolution.’ This document is being created with input from political parties and student activists and should reflect what the Bangladeshi people want.

    If they can agree on this document within a month, elections could happen quickly. However, if it takes longer, they should wait to hold elections. Islam also mentioned that many wealthy people in Bangladesh are helping to fund the NCP, and they plan to raise money through crowdfunding for a new office and for the election.

  • U.S. Halts Military Planes for Deporting Illegal Immigrants

    U.S. Halts Military Planes for Deporting Illegal Immigrants

    The U.S. government is stopping the use of military planes to deport illegal immigrants. According to the Wall Street Journal, this decision is based on high costs. The military flights to send back illegal immigrants were found to be much more expensive than regular civilian flights. For example, deporting people to India cost about $3 million per flight, and even flights to Guantanamo Bay cost over $20,000 per person.

    Using military planes made these flights take longer and carry fewer people, which added to the costs. A recent flight to deport immigrants was canceled, and officials said this pause might continue for a long time. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that breaking the law could lead to serious consequences, hinting that some might end up in Guantanamo Bay.

    So far, military planes have taken several migrants back to different countries, including India and Guatemala. Many deportees reported being handcuffed and chained during their flights, which does not sound comfortable at all.

    Overall, the Trump administration is focused on cracking down on illegal immigration, but now they have to find a more affordable way to handle deportations.

  • Humayun Saeed: Pakistan’s Wealthiest Actor and His Journey to Stardom

    Humayun Saeed: Pakistan’s Wealthiest Actor and His Journey to Stardom

    Before the Partition of India in 1947, Lahore and Calcutta were the hotspots for movies in India, followed by Bombay. After 1947, Bombay became Bollywood’s main city and saw a huge boom in films. Calcutta kept making Bengali movies, but Lahore’s film industry slowed down. Recently, there have been efforts to bring back Lahore’s film scene, and the Pakistani film industry has been growing. With bigger markets and a larger audience around the world, films are making more money, making stars richer too. Some Pakistani film stars are now wealthier than their Bollywood counterparts!

    Pakistan’s Richest Actor

    According to various reports, Humayun Saeed is the richest actor in Pakistan today, with a net worth of about $50 million (PKR 1380 crore or INR 435 crore). This makes him richer than famous Pakistani stars like Fawad Khan ($5 million), Mahira Khan ($7 million), Maya Ali ($15 million), and Shaan Shahid ($20 million).

    Saeed vs. Bollywood Stars

    Humayun Saeed is often called the ‘Shah Rukh Khan of Pakistan’ because like Shah Rukh, he is the wealthiest actor in his country. Even though his $50 million is much less than Shah Rukh Khan’s $770 million, he surpasses many Bollywood stars. For example, actors like Ranbir Kapoor ($40 million), Prabhas ($35 million), and even Rajinikanth ($48 million) are not as rich as Humayun Saeed!

    How Humayun Saeed Earned His Wealth

    So, how did Humayun Saeed become so successful? He earns a lot from his acting roles, but that’s not his only source of income. He is also a film producer and started his own company called Six Sigma Plus Productions. Plus, he’s one of the few Pakistani actors to make it in the West. His role as Hasnat Khan in Netflix’s The Crown has helped him gain more recognition and earn even more money than his peers!