Month: November 2023

Vir Das wins the International Emmy Award for Best Comedy Series, the first Indian comedian to achieve the feat

Manish Kumar

Actor-comic Vir Das won the International Emmy Award for his stand-up special “Vir Das: Landing” in the best comedy category  This was the second nomination and maiden win in the segment for the actor-comic, who shared the trophy with the popular British teen sitcom ‘Derry Girls’ season three  Renowned producer Ektaa R Kapoor was honoured with the International Emmy Directorate Award for a significant contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.  She is the first Indian woman filmmaker to be bestowed with the recognition.  Before Kapoor, media baron Subhash…

Simultaneous polls will benefit the public and Centre irrespective of party, says Ram Nath Kovind

Manish Kumar

Former President Ram Nath Kovind heads the government-appointed high-level committee on ‘one nation, one election’.  Saying that he had reached out to all national parties for their suggestions, Kovind said every party had supported the idea of simultaneous polls at some point.   Mr. Kovind said that holding simultaneous elections would benefit the public and whichever party was in power at the Centre,   “The funds saved could be used for development work.” He added.  Kovind said the issue had been examined by a parliamentary standing committee, the NITI Aayog, and…

Cash, freebies worth over Rs 1760 Cr seized in five poll-bound states, Telangana tops the list: EC

Manish Kumar

Assembly elections in five states: Cash, freebies worth over Rs 1760 cr seized, up 636% from 2018 elections, says ECI  This is an increase of 636 percent as compared to seizure figures during previous elections in the five states.  Telangana which is going to polls on 30 November reported the highest cash seizure of over Rs 659. 2 crores.  Seizures of over Rs 1400 crores were done in the past six state Assembly elections held in Gujarat, HP, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Karnataka.  The ECI further said that the seizures…

IAF to develop indigenous jammer pod for LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft

Manish Kumar

The Indian Air Force is working on a project to develop an indigenous jammer pod for the homegrown TEJAS MK-1A fighter aircraft, IAF officials said on Saturday.  “IAF’s Base Repair Depots have been tasked to indigenize many of the equipment required on its fighter and transport aircraft and other weapon systems and cut down imports,” officials added.  The LCA Mk1A is an improved variant of the indigenously developed LCA MK1.   It has additional features and improvements such as a Self-Protection Jammer.  The Indian Air Force is working on a…

Viral Photo Shows Mitchell Marsh Resting His Legs on World Cup Trophy, evoked strong reaction on social media

Manish Kumar

Australia cruised past India to win the 2023 ODI World Cup on Sunday in Ahmedabad.  This is Australia’s sixth win – the most by any team in the world.  In a photo, Marsh is seen sitting on a sofa with his legs stretched out and the World Cup trophy beneath it. The photo has evoked a strong reaction on social media.  No official handle has posted the photo, an official reaction from Marsh or the Australian Cricket Board is awaited.  Australia broke the hearts of many Indian cricket fans by…

7 trillion USD economy in 7 years is possible, Startups will play an important role in making India 3rd largest economy: CEA Nageswaran

Manish Kumar

Startups will play an important role in helping India become the third largest economy in the world, Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Union government V Anantha Nageswaran has said.   Nageswaran said that tier-2 and 3 cities have become game-changers in helping startups flourish in the country due to improvements in infrastructure and supportive policies of the government.  Seven trillion USD economy size by 2030 is possible if India maintains its present growth trajectory, and in that journey, startup entrepreneurs are going to play an important role,” he said…

An unidentified flying object was spotted within Imphal-controlled airspace, 2 Rafale Jets Dispatched

Manish Kumar

The unidentified aerial vehicle was spotted in the afternoon at 2 pm (local time).   The airport authorities later closed the ‘controlled airspace’ and stopped flight operations.  Two flights were diverted, while three were delayed.  The Indian Air Force (IAF) scrambled its Rafale fighter aircraft to search for them.  Eastern Command said, “IAF activated its Air Defence response mechanism based on visual inputs from Imphal airport. The small object was not seen thereafter.”  The Rafale fighters of the Indian Air Force are deployed at the Hashimara air base in West…

Australian Foreign Minister in India; Jaishankar, Rajnath Singh to hold 2+2 talks

Manish Kumar

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in the national capital to participate in the second India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.   Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and their Australian counterparts Richard Marles and Penny Wong will hold discussions to further advance cooperation.   The External Affairs Ministry said that the ministers are expected to discuss a wide range of strategic, defence and security issues.  Australia committed to partner with India more closely: Wong  The situation in the Middle East in view of the Hamas-Israel conflict, China’s increasing…

BJP president JP Nadda accuses Telangana government of corruption, calls for change

Manish Kumar

In a direct challenge to the government, Nadda questioned whether BRS MLAs had indeed taken a 30 per cent commission in the ‘Dalit Bandhu’ scheme, referencing purported statements made by Rao himself. Urging voters to bring in a BJP government on November 30, Nadda emphasised the need for a change. In a fervent rally at Narayanpet, BJP national president JP Nadda launched a scathing attack on the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana government, accusing BRS MLAs of collecting a hefty 30 per cent commission in the state’s ‘Dalit Bandhu’ scheme. Nadda…

Travis Head’s gutsy ton helps Australia snap India’s unbeaten streak to claim sixth ODI World Cup title

Manish Kumar

Australia’s World Cup 2023 campaign had got off to a nightmarish start after losses in the first two games against India and South Africa. They then pulled things back in style after winning seven games in a row to qualify for the semifinals. Australia’s impressive run in the ODI World Cup continued as they snapped India’s 10-match-long winning streak to claim their record-sixth World Cup title by defeating the Men in Blue by six wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19. Travis Head (137 off 120 balls)…