Month: June 2023

UCC: BJP’s number game to get the legislation through Parliament

Manish Kumar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest pitch for a Uniform Civil Code for all Indians has sparked speculation that the BJP will try to push through legislation to implement this with an eye on the 2024 general election. The big question is: does the ruling party have the required numbers to get the legislation through Parliament? Lok Sabha, where the BJP has a clear majority, will be a cakewalk. But what about Rajya Sabha? Now, a statement by one of the BJP’s bitter rivals, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has opened…

India removed from the UNGA report on children and armed conflict due to the Indian government’s “better protect children” measures

Manish Kumar

India removed from the UNGA report on children and armed conflict for the first time since 2010. India was mentioned in the UNGA report for over a decade, along with countries like Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and the Philippines, since 2010 for alleged recruitment and use of boys by armed groups in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India has officially been removed from United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Security Council report on Children and Armed Conflict by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the first time since 2010, owing…

World’s most common artificial sweeteners, to be declared possible cancer-causing Substance by WHO: Report

Manish Kumar

One of the world’s most common artificial sweeteners is set to be declared a possible carcinogen next month by a leading global health body, according to two sources with knowledge of the process, pitting it against the food industry and regulators. Aspartame, used in products from Coca-Cola diet sodas to Mars’ Extra chewing gum and some Snapple drinks, will be listed in July as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” for the first time by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization‘s (WHO) cancer research arm, the…

Ukrainian forces advancing ‘slowly but surely on frontlines; counter offensive ramps up

Manish Kumar

Ukrainian forces are advancing “slowly but surely” across frontlines in the east and southeast of the country.  Forces recaptured clusters of villages in the southeast, as well as made ground along the flanks of the highly contested city of Bakhmut.    The number of people killed by a Russian missile attack on a pizza restaurant in Kramatorsk has risen from 11 to 12.  Russia has opened criminal cases against 160 foreigners accused of acting as mercenaries on behalf of Ukraine.  Ukrainian forces are advancing “slowly but surely” across frontlines in…

About 2.74 lakh posts vacant in Indian Railways, over 1.7 lahks in safety category: Rly replies to an RTI query

Manish Kumar

Railways said 2,74,580 posts are vacant in the Group C category, including Level 1 or entry-level staff. This includes 1,77,924 vacancies in the safety category.  On the safety category, it said there are more than 9.82 lakh posts of which over 8.04 lakh are filled.  In December 2022, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament that 3.12 lakh non-gazetted posts were vacant in the Railways.  After the Balasore tragedy, the Railways directed its zones to launch a “special drive” to fill promotional vacancies, especially in the safety category,  More than 2.74…

ChatGPT now can answer in Hindi, and a few other Indian Languages; read to know How

Manish Kumar

ChatGPT has disrupted the tech space.  Tech companies are hurrying into building their own AI chatbots.  ChatGPT can now answer your queries in Hindi, Assamese, Bengali and other Indian Languages.  ChatGPT has disrupted the tech space and since its launch various tech companies are hurrying into building their own AI chatbots. For instance, Google launched Bard and Microsoft introduced Bing – powered by ChatGPT — months after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman launched ChatGPT. But the AI tool offered by OpenAI is way more powerful, smart, and advanced. In the latest…

Death toll in pizza restaurant attack rises to 10; Russia has no qualms about sending missiles into civilian areas

Manish Kumar

The number of people killed in a Russian missile attack on a pizza restaurant has risen from nine to 10.  Data indicates the explosion was caused by a Russian short-range ballistic missile system. Earlier reports stated the missile was a S-300 – a long-range surface-to-air missile system.  “Russia doesn’t hit civilians, only military targets,” a Kremlin spokesman told News agency in response to the latest atrocity being attributed to a Russian missile.  It is a lie that has been repeated throughout this war.  Hitting civilian targets is a modus operandi…

ED arrests real estate firm Supertech’s chairman in money-laundering case

Manish Kumar

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested real estate company Supertech’s chairman and owner R K Arora on money-laundering charges, official sources said. Arora was taken into custody under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following a third round of his questioning at the federal agency’s office He is expected to be produced before a special PMLA court here on Wednesday, where the ED will seek his further remand. The money-laundering case against the Supertech group, its directors, and promoters stems from a clutch of FIRs registered…

Opposition parties against the implementation of UCC: read to know why

Manish Kumar

PM Modi gave a strong push to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during a BJP public event.  His advocacy triggered massive political reactions as Congress and other Opposition parties like- DMK, AIMIM, and JD-U opposed the law.  Congress and other Opposition parties would not like BJP would take credit for UCC implementation in upcoming elections.  Politicians in the northeastern states often express views that the UCC will pose a threat to their highly diverse societies.  Adivasi activists and politicians often protest UCC claiming the law would adversely affect the distinct…

Uniting in Festive Spirit: PM Modi Sends Festive Greetings on Ashadhi Ekadashi”

Manish Kumar

PM Modi Extends Warm Wishes on Ashadhi Ekadashi, Spreading Joy and Spiritual Bliss” “Celebrating Ashadhi Ekadashi: PM Modi Sends Heartfelt Greetings to the Nation” “Embracing Divine Blessings: PM Modi Conveys Best Wishes on Ashadhi Ekadashi” “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Inspiring Message on the Auspicious Occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi” “Uniting in Festive Spirit: PM Modi Sends Festive Greetings on Ashadhi Ekadashi“ Prime Minister Modi’s greetings on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, highlighting the significance of the festival and the Prime Minister’s warm wishes to the people of India. “Wishing everyone a…