Bid to Corner India at FATF for 'Targeting' Non-profit Outfits
Coinciding with India's strained ties with Canada, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is trying to corner New Delhi on the issue of targeting non-profit organisations (NPOs) for prosecution. The issue will come up during the FATF's special country review of India, known as 'mutual review', which will most likely be initiated in November.
The ball was set rolling at the FATF Plenary Committee meeting in October when it agreed to clarify measures applying to NPOs.
India had been trying to stave off a concerted bid by overseas-based human rights organisations to encourage the FATF to amplify its Recommendation 8 of 2001, which aims to protect NPOs from potential terrorist financing abuse while also ensuring that focused risk-based measures do not unduly disrupt or discourage legitimate charitable activities.
Ride hailing platform Ola and tech-enabled logistics company Porter scored zero in fair work standards for gig workers on a scale of 0-10, according to Fairwork India report 2023. bigbasket topped the list with six points.
The 'Fairwork India 2023' report, spearheaded by the Centre for IT and Public Policy (CITAPP) at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B), in association with Oxford University, examined Amazon Flex, bigbasket, BluSmart, Dunzo, Flipkart, Ola, Porter, Swiggy, Uber, Urban Company, Zepto and Zomato for the survey.
Fairwork India interviewed workers from 12 platforms in four cities — Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram — for minimum standards of fair work in the platform economy. The agency examined the working conditions of platform workers on digital labour platforms in India.
A key highlight of the report is that none of the 12 platforms evaluated on five principles, including fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation, managed to get a perfect score.
Tata Motors Wins Rs. 766 Crore Arbitration Award in Singur Plant Dispute
Tata Motors Wins Rs. 766 Crore Arbitration Award in Singur Plant Dispute
Tata Motors secured an arbitral award amounting to Rs. 766 crore as compensation for their investment in the now-defunct Singur plant. The Singur plant was initially intended for the production of the Tata Nano cars.
This arbitration stems from a dispute between Tata Motors Limited (TML) and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Limited (WBIDC). The conflict pertained to TML's claim for compensation from WBIDC, covering various aspects of capital investments. These investments were related to the automobile manufacturing facility in Singur, West Bengal.
Under the award, Tata Motors is entitled to recover a total sum of Rs. 765.78 crore, in addition to an 11 percent per annum interest, commencing from September 1, 2016, until the full recovery is achieved from WBIDC.
JSW Energy Joint Managing Director & CEO Resigns
Private power producer JSW Energy said that the company's joint Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer resigned.
Prashant Jain, joint Managing Director and CEO, expressed his intention to take early retirement from active professional life and pursue his personal interests.
As per JSW Energy, Jain will continue to serve in his current position until January 31, 2024 to support an orderly transition.
Jain took the position of joint Managing Director and CEO of the company in 2017.
Aligarh Muslim University to Launch Its Own Satellite Approved By IN-SPACe
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) embarked on a groundbreaking space initiative, the 'SS AMU SAT' project, approved by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). Led by AMU's Robo Club, this initiative aims to develop a 3U CubeSat, marking the first satellite named after AMU's founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
The objectives of the project are:
Economic Growth Study: Utilize satellite imagery to study economic growth in India's poorest districts.
Technology Testing: Test in-house developed satellite sub-systems for enhanced functionality.
Multimedia Transmission: Implement image compression technology for rapid multimedia transmission.
The launch schedule is tentatively planned within the next six months, targeting Lower Earth Orbit.
Zahid Hussain Clinches Silver at Asian Shooting Championship
Hailing from Anantnag, Kashmir, Zahid Hussain achieved a remarkable feat by securing the silver medal at the prestigious Asian Shooting Championship held in South Korea. His remarkable performance not only brought joy to his hometown but also marked a significant step towards representing his nation at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Zahid Hussain secured the runner-up position in the men's 50M rifle prone event with a total score of 624.5 points. He finished just 1.1 points behind the gold medalist, Kazakhstan's Malinovskiy Konstantin, who scored 625.6 points. China's Du Linshu claimed the third spot with a total of 624.3 points.
The Asian Shooting Championships in 2023 hold immense significance as they serve as a qualifying event for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. This event offers a total of 24 Olympic quotas, with the top two finishers from each country in the 12 Olympic shooting events securing spots for their national teams.
Kashmir Hosts 67th National School Games
With peace returning to the Kashmir Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir government has been hosting several national and international events in various districts of the Union Territory. Adding another feather to the cap, Srinagar is hosting the 67th National School Games with football and volleyball as the two primary sports.
Around 2000 athletes from all over the country are participating in the mega sporting event. With 28 states, eight union territories, and several SGFI-recognised boards participating, this event truly represents the diversity and inclusivity of India's sporting landscape.
There are two main sports that we are hosting, volleyball and football. For volleyball, it's under-17 while for football it's under-19 age groups for boys.
The Maharashtra Government accepted the first report of a committee appointed to decide the procedure for granting Kunbi caste certificates to the Marathas in the Marathwada region. The process of the issuance of Kunbi certificates has begun.
Kunbi, a community associated with agriculture, is grouped under the OBC category and enjoys reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
These decisions by the government came amid activist Manoj Jarange's indefinite fast for quota for the Maratha community, and incidents of violence mainly in the Marathwada region.
Prime Minister Modi Launches 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' Platform
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' platform for youth of the country, at Kartavya Path on the National Unity Day. In a momentous decision on October 11, 2023, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval for the establishment of an autonomous body known as 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)'.
'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' is envisioned as a pivotal, technology-driven facilitator for youth development and youth-led development, with the overarching goal of providing equitable opportunities to empower the youth in realizing their aspirations and contributing to the creation of a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India), across the entire spectrum of the Government.
The primary objective of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is to make it a whole of Government platform dedicated to the advancement of the youth. Its objectives include:
Leadership Development in the Youth
Improve the leadership skills through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical interaction to programmatic skills
Investing in youth to make them social innovators, and leaders in the communities
Better alignment between the aspirations of the youth and the community needs
Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes
Act as a one-stop shop for young people and Ministries
Create a centralized youth database
Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives and activities of other stakeholder that engage with youth
Ensuring accessibility by creating a Phygital Ecosystem - a blend of physical and digital experiences
IAF Deploys Three S-400 Missile Units along China and Pakistan Borders
The Indian Air Force (IAF) took significant steps to bolster its air defense capabilities along the borders with China and Pakistan by deploying three out of the five agreed-upon S-400 air defense missile squadrons. However, the remaining two squadrons' delivery schedule has been affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and officials from both countries are set to meet soon to finalize the timeline.
In 2018-19, India entered into a crucial defense agreement with Russia to procure S-400 missiles worth Rs. 35,000 crore, aiming to acquire a total of five squadrons of these advanced air defense systems. These squadrons have already been operationalized in strategically important sectors. One unit is responsible for guarding both the China and Pakistan fronts, while one squadron has been specifically earmarked for each of these countries.
End of an Era - MiG-21 Jets Fly For Last Time
Marking the end of an era, Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison fighter jets flew for the last time over Barmer town of Rajasthan.
The MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft of the No. 4 squadron of the IAF took a sortie and flew for the last time over the Uttarlai town in Barmer, Rajasthan.
The Indian Air Force is phasing out the MiG-21 squadrons and set to replace them with the indigenous LCA Mark-1A fighter jets.
As per plans, the No. 4 squadron will be getting the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets in its inventory and may move to a new location in the desert sector itself by the end of this month.
The MiG-21 entered service in 1963 on a trial basis. It formed the backbone of India's fighter fleet from 1970 to the mid-2000s till the Su-30MKIs were pressed into action.
Navy's Last Ilyushin-38SD Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft Retires
The Indian Navy decommissioned the last of its Ilyushin Il-38SD Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft from operational service, 46 years after their induction.
Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar, who was present at the drawdown ceremony of the aircraft at INS Hansa at Vasco town, Goa, described the occasion as truly historic and one filled with nostalgia.
The Navy chief said the aircraft brought glory to the Indian Navy time and again.
Karnataka Formation Day, also known as Kannada Rajyotsava, holds a special place in the hearts of all natives in the region. It is more than just a celebration of the state's inception. It is a colourful commemoration of Karnataka's rich legacy and diversity. The southern Indian state marked its 66th foundation day on November 1, 2023.
Through the Karnataka Ekikarana movement, Aluru Venkata Rao, a renowned Indian historian and writer, sought to establish the state of Karnataka. India became a republic in 1950, and distinct provinces were formed based on languages, which resulted in the formation of a Kannada-speaking region in South India on November 1, 1956.
The newly established state was initially named Mysore, but the name was rejected by other regions, including North Karnataka. Therefore, on November 1, 1973, the state was renamed Karnataka, which was derived from the Kannada word 'Karunadu' meaning 'lofty land'.
India-born Author Nandini Das Wins 2023 British Academy Book Prize
India-born author Nandini Das was named the winner of the 2023 British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding, a leading international non-fiction prize worth GBP 25,000, for her book 'Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire'.
The British Academy Book Prize, formerly known as the Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize, was established in 2013 to reward and celebrate the best works of non-fiction that demonstrate rigour and originality and have contributed to public understanding of other world cultures and their interaction.
EMBIBE Signs MoU with Uttar Pradesh Govt. to Offer Free NEP-aligned AI-led Learning
The Uttar Pradesh Basic Education and Secondary Education Departments signed a non-financial MoU with EMBIBE to accelerate the achievement of Nipun Bharat goals for UP.
As per EMBIBE, it was chosen for its interactive content library and Artificial Intelligence-led personalisation for better classroom teaching, student learning as well as learning outcomes enhancement in Science, Math and Social Science across over 55,000 schools.
According to reports, this partnership with the Uttar Pradesh government takes Embibe's footprint to 104,464 schools across 25 states across India, covering 596,250 teachers and 17,097,362 students.
MIT-WPU and ICAI Join Hands to Enhance Accounting and Financial Education in the Country
MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) and The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate to enhance accounting and finance education in the country.
the MoU was formalized during the "R.I.D.E" conclave, a 5-day event centered around Research, Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship, which took place at the university's Kothrud Campus.
The MOU encourages cooperation and interaction between respective staff, including inter-institutional visits, faculty exchange, academic publications, research and educational collaboration, and Faculty Development Programmes (FDP) in the areas of common interest among many other things.
Advocates Padmesh Mishra, Arkaj Kumar Appointed Retainer Counsel to Represent ED before Delhi High Court
Advocates Padmesh Mishra and Arkaj Kumar were appointed as retainer counsel to represent the Enforcement Directorate (ED) before the Delhi High Court.
The appointment is for three years with a provision for yearly review.
Former Bombay High Court judge Justice C. V. Bhadang is President of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal
Former Bombay High Court judge Justice C. V. Bhadang was appointed as President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT).
Justice Bhadang obtained his LL.B. degree from Nagpur University and enrolled as an advocate on December 5, 1984. He primarily practiced civil and criminal law in the district court and the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court before joining the Maharashtra Judicial Service.
He held positions in the Registry of the Bombay High Court, serving as Registrar (Vigilance), Registrar (Judicial), Registrar (Personnel) and Registrar (Inspection). In 2013, he was appointed as the Registrar General.
In 2014, he was elevated as a judge of the Bombay High Court, and retired in November 2022.
Former Bombay High Court judge Justice C. V. Bhadang is President of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal
Former Bombay High Court judge Justice C. V. Bhadang was appointed as President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT).
Justice Bhadang obtained his LL.B. degree from Nagpur University and enrolled as an advocate on December 5, 1984. He primarily practiced civil and criminal law in the district court and the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court before joining the Maharashtra Judicial Service.
He held positions in the Registry of the Bombay High Court, serving as Registrar (Vigilance), Registrar (Judicial), Registrar (Personnel) and Registrar (Inspection). In 2013, he was appointed as the Registrar General.
In 2014, he was elevated as a judge of the Bombay High Court, and retired in November 2022.