Month: March 2024

Discusses range of bilateral, regional security & defence cooperation issues

Manish Kumar

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin on March 18, 2024. Both Ministers briefly discussed a range of bilateral, regional security and defence cooperation issues. They reviewed the recent bilateral events such as the INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi in February 2024, and the bilateral Tri-Service exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ which has also commenced in India on March 18, 2024. The US Secretary of Defence appreciated the important role being played by the Indian Navy in conducting anti-piracy operations in the…

Need to make Hydrogen cleaner and more economical: Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India

Manish Kumar

The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is being convened in New Delhi, India during March 18 – 22, 2024. The first day of the five-day meeting has been organised as IPHE Academic Outreach at IIT Delhi, on March 18, 2024, where the conference delegates provided valuable insights into the future of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Addressing the inaugural session, Principal Scientific Advisor, Govt. of India, Prof. Ajay Sood pointed out that while hydrogen is not a very new technology, there…

India’s ‘Lottery King’ Dominates Political Donations Amidst Scrutiny

Manish Kumar

Santiago Martin, dubbed India’s “lottery king,” has ascended as the nation’s most significant political donor, through his company, Future Gaming and Hotel Services. According to EC’s data Martin’s Future Gaming allocated a staggering 13.68 billion Indian rupees ($165 million) between 2019 and 2024, surpassing contributions from other entities by a significant margin. Hailing from humble beginnings, Martin ascended from selling lottery tickets as a teenager to building a sprawling empire spanning lottery and real estate ventures. In September, ED filed a prosecution complaint against Future Gaming and 15 other Martin-affiliated…

Election Commission’s Pre-Election Shake-Up: Removal of Home Secretaries and Top Cop Signals Reform Agenda

Manish Kumar

The EC has embarked on a sweeping reform agenda, marked by the removal of six Home Secretaries and the transfer of a top-ranking police official in West Bengal. This proactive step, following the declaration of the MCC, underscores the EC’s commitment to fostering a fair and transparent electoral environment. The EC’s directive mandates the removal of Home Secretaries from several states, including Gujarat, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. It reflects the EC’s proactive approach to address concerns surrounding administrative neutrality and the integrity of the electoral apparatus. The changes extend beyond…

Putin Secures Record Victory in Russian Election, Defiant Amidst Western Criticism

Manish Kumar

Putin wins 74% of the vote  New term gives Putin six more years in power War hung over the election Ukraine strikes Russia with drones and rockets Thousands come out for ‘noon against Putin’ protest In a resounding affirmation of his authority, President Vladimir Putin clinched a historic victory in Russia’s recent election, solidifying his firm grip on power amidst escalating tensions with the West and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin’s landslide win, marked by a staggering 87.8% of the vote, underscores the enduring support he commands among the…

Supreme Court rejects AAP leader Satyendar Jain’s bail plea,

Manish Kumar

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the regular bail plea of former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). A bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, who was out on interim bail, has also been asked to “surrender forthwith”. The top court dismissed an oral plea by Jain’s legal representative to grant him a week’s grace period for surrendering. On January 17, the top court had reserved its verdict on his…

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh appoints six new Sah-Sarkaryavahs | names

Manish Kumar

The decision was taken amid a crucial meeting that took place in Nagpur, the headquarters of the RSS. More than 1,500 representatives of various RSS-affiliated organisations attended the meeting. In the new executive of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale has appointed 6 Sah-Sarkaryavahs for the term of 2024-27, in the executive of 2021 there were 5 Sah-Sarkaryavah, this time the number of executive has been increased to six. Dr. Manmohan Vaidya has not got a place in this executive body.   Krishna Gopal CR Mukund Arun Kumar Ram Dutt…

Sara Ali Khan Flaunts Her Marks While Walking Call Her ‘Strong Woman’

Manish Kumar

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan, on Thursday, walked the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI 2024. She turned muse for designer Varun Chakkilam’s ‘Lenora’ collection. Sara was in a shimmery silver embellished lehenga and bralette as she turned showstopper for Varun’s collection. She kept her hair open and wore a pair of statement earrings. The diva looked resplendent as she gracefully walked the ramp. A paparazzo account shared a video of Sara walking the ramp. He didn’t hesitate to hide the burn marks on her stomach that she recently…

Princess Of Wales Kate Middleton To Address Public Over Health Concerns:

Manish Kumar

Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, who has not been seen in public since undergoing surgery in January, is likely to address concerns about her health and well-being at a public event when she returns to duties, according to a New York Times (NYT) report citing a UK newspaper “I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements,” the newspaper reported quoting the source. Kate and her husband Prince William, who is the heir apparent to the British throne, are “at their most open…

‘Spread-Out Polling Process Likely To Benefit BJP’: Opposition Parties After ECI’s LS Poll Announcement

Manish Kumar

Following the Election Commission’s Lok Sabha poll announcement, the Opposition has expressed its doubts saying the spread-out polling process is likely to benefit BJP. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases between April 19 and June 1, while the results will be declared on June 4. The Congress has said that the upcoming polls will be the last chance to save democracy. The TMC has also said the ECI did not take into account the West Bengal government’s suggestion of holding the elections in one or two…