Month: September 2024

Odisha Activist Advocates for Paid Menstrual Leave at UN: A Global Push for Women’s Rights

Manish Kumar

Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, a social activist from Odisha, recently made headlines by advocating for paid menstrual leave during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) ‘Summit of the Future’ event in New York. As a tireless champion of women’s rights, she has gained international recognition for her campaign to secure 1-2 days of paid menstrual leave for women in the workplace. Her advocacy, grounded in both personal experience and constitutional principles, has resonated globally and led to policy changes in several countries. Advocating for Change on a Global Platform Ranjeeta’s presence…

The Deadliest Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Since 2006: Analyzing the Escalation

Manish Kumar

A Sudden Surge in Violence On September 23, Lebanon experienced its bloodiest day since the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war. Israel’s airstrikes killed nearly 500 people, including women and children, marking the deadliest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in almost two decades. The operation, dubbed “Northern Arrows,” specifically targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beirut. This violent surge comes at a time of rising tensions, both between Israel and Hezbollah, and within the broader geopolitical landscape of West Asia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified Israel’s stance, stating…

Sensex Surpasses 85,000 for the First Time; Nifty Nears 26,000

Manish Kumar

Sensex and Nifty Reach New Milestones On Tuesday, September 24, the BSE Sensex broke past the 85,000 mark for the first time during early trading hours, reaching an all-time high of 85,023. At the same time, the Nifty 50 index neared the 26,000 level, hitting a fresh high of 25,971. By 10:21 AM, Sensex was trading at 85,006.61, a gain of 78 points, while Nifty stood at 25,964.25, up 25.20 points. This surge follows last week’s US Federal Reserve rate cut, which has bolstered global markets. Steady Upward Momentum The…

Atishi Assumes Delhi’s Top Office: A Symbolic Gesture of Leadership and Loyalty to Kejriwal

Manish Kumar

Atishi, the 43-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, officially took charge as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Saturday, following the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal. In a symbolic and emotional gesture, Atishi compared her new role to the character of Bharat from the Hindu epic Ramayana, emphasizing her commitment to govern in Kejriwal’s absence. As she steps into the role of the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi, Atishi vows to uphold Kejriwal’s legacy and continue his governance until the upcoming elections in February. Atishi’s Symbolic Gesture of Loyalty Upon taking…

Israel Launches 300 Airstrikes on Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions

Manish Kumar

Israel intensified its military offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, launching over 300 airstrikes on Monday. The strikes, the most widespread wave of attacks in nearly a year of conflict, targeted Hezbollah strongholds and weapon storage facilities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) urged civilians to evacuate Hezbollah-controlled areas to avoid harm. These developments come as tensions along Israel’s northern border escalate, with Hezbollah firing rockets in support of Hamas, which is engaged in a separate war with Israel in Gaza. What Sparked the Recent Strikes? The escalation follows the death of…

Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies Becomes India’s Official Entry for Oscars 2025

Manish Kumar

Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies was chosen as India’s official entry for Oscars 2025 The film competed against 28 Indian movies from different languages 11 Hindi films, six Tamil films and four Malayalam films were in the race Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Film Federation of India (FFI) made the announcement on Monday, following a competitive selection process involving 29 films across several Indian languages. The Selection Process The competition…

Sri Lanka Elects Marxist-Leaning Dissanayake Amid Hopes for Economic Recovery

Manish Kumar

Sri Lanka has chosen a new leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning politician, to guide the nation through its most pressing economic crisis in decades. The election, held after the 2022 financial meltdown, has raised hopes for change, but also significant challenges, as Dissanayake prepares to take office amid an ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout and widespread poverty. Victory for Dissanayake: A Shift in Political Landscape Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a 55-year-old political figure from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), secured a notable victory in Sri Lanka’s presidential run-off. Leading…

Odisha CM Orders Judicial Probe into Assault on Army Officer and Fiancée: BJD Calls Off Shutdown

Manish Kumar

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged assault on an Army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station. The incident, which occurred on September 15, has sparked public outrage and political reactions, leading to the suspension of police personnel and a series of legal actions. Incident and Allegations The confrontation took place when the Army officer and his fiancée visited the Bharatpur police station to file a complaint following a road rage incident. According to their account, the couple was assaulted…

The Rise of Indian Chess: Gukesh, Divya, and the Revolution of a New Era

Manish Kumar

2024 has proven to be a watershed moment for Indian sports, especially for chess. While India celebrated significant victories in cricket, the Olympics, and the Paralympics, it was the extraordinary achievement in the 45th Chess Olympiad that truly stood out. India won its first-ever gold in both the men’s and women’s categories, marking a new chapter in Indian chess history. From Bronze to Gold: A Decade of Progress India’s journey to chess supremacy began in 2014 when the country won its first-ever Chess Olympiad medal—a bronze in the open category…

India’s Growing Influence: A Voice for the Global South

Manish Kumar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Indian diaspora in New York highlighted India’s rising global stature and its role as a leader for the Global South. Modi emphasized how India has evolved from being a nation that followed to one that now sets trends and paves the way for innovation, economic growth, and global cooperation. India’s Rising Global Voice During his speech, Modi underscored the importance of India’s position on the global stage. He noted, “Today, when India says something on a global platform, the world listens.” This reflects…