Day: May 22, 2024

Calcutta High Court Invalidates OBC Certificates Issued in Bengal Since 2010: Implications and Political Controversy

Manish Kumar

A batch of petitions challenged the process of issuing certificates High court terms OBC list prepared after 2010 as ‘illegal’ Mamata Banerjee refuses to accept high court’s order In a landmark judgment with far-reaching implications, the Calcutta High Court has invalidated all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued in West Bengal since 2010. The division bench, presided over by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha, delivered this significant verdict while adjudicating on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the procedural integrity of OBC certificate issuance in the state. Legal Implications…

European Recognition of Palestinian Statehood: Implications and Reactions

Manish Kumar

The announcement by European nations, including Spain, Ireland, and Norway, to recognize Palestinian statehood on May 28th has ignited a multifaceted discourse on the enduring Israel-Palestine conflict. Against the volatile backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, this move underscores the persistent quest for a viable solution to achieve lasting peace in the region. Two-State Solution as the Key to Peace: European leaders, echoing a longstanding international sentiment, advocate for a two-state solution as the most viable pathway to peace between Israel and Palestine. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway emphatically…

India’s Onion Exports Surge After Ban Lifted: Over 45,000 Tonnes Shipped Amidst Farmer Relief

Manish Kumar

India’s onion exports have witnessed a significant upsurge, surpassing 45,000 tonnes since the recent lifting of the ban on outbound shipments earlier this month. The ban, imposed last December and extended in March due to rising prices caused by sluggish production, had put a strain on farmers’ incomes. This surge in exports underscores India’s capacity as the world’s biggest vegetable exporter and highlights the resilience of its agricultural sector in responding to market dynamics. To ensure the affordability of onions during the election period, the government lifted the ban on…

Election Commission Issues Strong Rebuke to BJP and Congress, Urges Correction in Campaign Discourse

Manish Kumar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) delivered a stern admonishment to both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, urging them to re-evaluate their campaign strategies. Expressing profound concern, the ECI underscored the paramount importance of preserving the rich socio-cultural fabric of India. The Election Commission called upon leaders of both political entities to exercise utmost restraint and desist from making false claims or inflammatory remarks that could erode public trust in the democratic process.  The directive from the EC came in the wake of its dismissal of defenses…

Iran Mourns President Raisi: Ayatollah Khamenei Leads Funeral Prayers Amidst Global Attendance

Manish Kumar

Iran bids farewell to its late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, who tragically perished in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, led the funeral prayers offering solemn words for the departed souls and reflecting on the legacy of the deceased. The ceremony unfolded against the backdrop of Tehran University, where thousands of mourners clad in black gathered to pay their respects. Following the prayers, emotions ran high as the crowd surged forward to pay their final respects, reaching out to…

Pune Porsche Tragedy: Calls for Justice Intensify as Deputy Chief Minister Denounces Lenient Punishment

Manish Kumar

Maharashtra Deputy CM Fadnavis reacts to a horrifying incident where a 17-year-old boy crashed his Porsche into a motorbike, resulting in the deaths of two IT professionals on the spot. Fadnavis condemns the Juvenile Justice Board’s lenient punishment for the teen, which includes a 300-word essay on accidents, a 15-day stint working with traffic police, and mandatory counselling for his drinking habit. The decision by the Juvenile Justice Board sparks widespread public outrage, with citizens, activists, and lawmakers alike expressing shock and dismay. Despite being apprehended, the teen is granted…

Northern India Braces for Sweltering Heat: IMD Issues Red Alert for Five Days

Manish Kumar

Intense Heat Wave Grips North India A Severe Weather Warning Mixed Fortunes: Relief in South, Agony in North  Health Concerns Amidst Rising Temperatures, Preventive Measures Urged Rajasthan Bears the Brunt The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a dire warning for North India as it braces for a relentless onslaught of scorching temperatures. With the mercury anticipated to surge beyond 47 degrees Celsius in several regions, IMD has raised a red flag for parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and West Uttar Pradesh, signaling severe heatwave conditions for the next five…

RR Vs RCB, IPL 2024, Will It Rain Today At The Narendra Modi Stadium? Know Ahmedabad’s Weather Forecast

Manish Kumar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, brimming in confidence, take on Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator clash of IPL 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, May 22. Know more on the weather here The Faf-Du Plessis-led side were placed fourth on the points table with 14 points from 14 games after losing seven of their first eight games. They come into the fixture after defeating five-time IPL champions CSK by 27 runs in Bengaluru. On the other hand, after their washout in Guwahati, Rajasthan Royals took the…

Qualifier 1: Kolkata Knight Riders Humble Sunrisers Hyderabad To Enter Final

Manish Kumar

Venkatesh Iyer (51 not out off 28 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (58 not out off 24 balls) smashed respective half-centuries to help KKR successfully chase down a below-par 160-run target set by Sunrisers Hyderabad in just 13.4 overs SRH will lock horns with the winner of Eliminator in Qualifier 2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to face Rajasthan Royals in Eliminator on Wednesday. The loser will be knocked out of the league and the winner will fight the Pat Cummins-led for the coveted seat in the final in the second…

Indian Cities Struggle for Global Recognition: Delhi Placed 350th in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index

Manish Kumar

The recent findings of the Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index present a sobering reality for India, with its major cities notably absent from the upper echelons of global rankings. Delhi clinched a rather modest 350th position in the esteemed Global Cities Index, falling short of expectations and aspirations for a city of its stature. None of India’s urban centers could break into the top 300, with cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chennai trailing behind in the rankings. Oxford Economics, the esteemed economic research firm behind the Global Cities Index, employs…