France Becomes First Country in the World to Make Abortion a Constitutional Right
France enshrined the right to abortion in its Constitution after lawmakers voted in favour of an article which would give women the guaranteed freedom to get the medical procedure for terminating a pregnancy, making it the first country in the world to do so.
A joint session of both the Lower and Upper Houses of parliament was convened at the Palace of Versailles where the proposal gained a three-fifths supermajority by French lawmakers, which was needed to make the change, with 780 votes in favour and 72 against it.
Nepal PM 'Prachanda' Forges New Alliance with Ex-premier Oli's Party
Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' formed a new alliance with former premier K. P. Sharma Oli's party after terminating its nearly 15-month partnership with the Nepali Congress due to differences between the top leadership.
Prachanda became the Prime Minister for the third term with the support of the Nepali Congress on December 25, 2022.
The rift between the Maoist Centre and Nepali Congress grew after differences grew between Nepali Congress leader and Finance Minister Mahat and Prachanda over the issue of budget allocation to certain projects.
Knight Frank India Hires Harry Rogers as Director of Global Capital Markets
Real estate consultancy firm Knight Frank India appointed Harry Chaplin Rogers as the director of International Capital Markets. Rogers will be trusted with leading the company's efforts to help international and domestic clients identify investment opportunities within the Indian real estate capital markets.
Regers will play a critical role in connecting offshore capital requirements with the Indian real estate client base.
On the new addition to the firm, Knight Frank's Chairman Shishir Baijal highlighted the significance of Rogers' appointment at a time when India's real estate market landscape is thriving.
Fincare Small Finance Bank Merger with AU SFB Gets RBI Approval
The Reserve Bank of India approved the amalgamation of Fincare Small Finance Bank with Jaipur-based AU Small Finance Bank, effective from April 1, 2024, creating an entity with a balance sheet of over Rs. 1.16 trillion.
All the branches of Fincare SFB will function as branches of AU Small Finance Bank with effect from April 1, 2024. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had already approved the merger in January 2024.
Tata Motors to Demerge Businesses into Two Separate Listed Companies
Tata Motors announced its decision to demerge its business into two separate listed entities, segregating its commercial vehicles (CV) and passenger vehicles (PV) businesses.
The NCLT scheme of arrangement for the demerger shall be placed before the company's board of directors for approval in the coming months and will be subject to all necessary shareholder, creditor and regulatory approvals, which could take a further 12-15 months to complete.
Rajasthan Royals Appoints Saudi's NEOM as Main Partner in a Two-year Deal
Rajasthan Royals entered into a partnership with Saudi Arabia's smart city project NEOM, appointing it as the principal partner in a key two-year deal.
Under the terms of the agreement, Rajasthan Royals will sport NEOM's corporate brand logo on the chest of all official team clothing during India's premier T20 cricket league in 2024 and 2025, thereby imprinting further awareness of NEOM on a wide global audience.
NEOM, being built in the north-western Tabuk Province of Saudi, is boasted as a sustainably planned urban development initiative. The project is aimed at turning into an economic engine for the nation, driving business prospects, fostering innovation, and enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents.
Through the partnership, NEOM aims to create cricket opportunities with the help of Rajasthan Royals and the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation. As part of the deal, NEOM aims to leverage knowledge transfer opportunities, including cricket leadership training and an accredited program for developing coaches within the NEOM workforce.
Devynne Charlton Creates New 60m Hurdles World Record
Devynne Charlton blazed to a world record in the women's 60 metres hurdles while pole vaulter Armand Duplantis pulled a remarkable performance out of what had been an off-night and won gold at the world indoor athletics championships in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Charlton, from the Bahamas, clocked 7.65 seconds to shave two-hundredths of a second off the previous record she had shared with American Tia Jones.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Name Pat Cummins Skipper
Australia's World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins was named captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2024 Indian Premier League season, becoming the fourth player to be handed the responsibility in the last three years.
He was bought by SRH for a whopping Rs. 20.50 crore in the IPL auctions in December 2023, making him the second costliest player in the event's history.
He replaced South African Aiden Markram, who led SRH in the 2023 season.
BJP national president J. P. Nadda resigned as a Rajya Sabha MP. A senior leader of the saffron party, Nadda represented the Himachal Pradesh seat in the Upper House.
His resignation was accepted by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
This came days after Nadda and three other BJP nominees, Jasvantsinh Parmar, Mayank Nayak and diamond baron Govindbhai Dholakia, were declared winners from Gujarat in the Rajya Sabha polls. Nadda was elected unopposed.
J&K Ex-Governor N. N. Vohra Opens 2-day Seminar on Punjab
The National Institute of Panjab Studies, Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi, organised a series of international seminars on the overarching theme, 'Punjab at Crossroads'.
The series aimed to generate a serious and comprehensive debate around the challenges Punjab is grappling with.
The two-day seminar on 'Political economy and governance of Punjab', the first in the series, in collaboration with the India International Centre, was inaugurated by former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir N. N. Vohra, who has had a long association with the state and has witnessed its governance from close quarters.
Himachal Pradesh Govt. Announces Rs. 1,500 per Month to Women
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the state government will give Rs. 1,500 per month to women in the age group of 18 to 60 years from the next financial year.
This was one of the 10 'guarantees' promised by the Congress ahead of the assembly polls.
Sukhu said that Rs. 800 crore would be spent on the initiative, Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna, annually and over five lakh women would be covered under it.
Sub-Inspector Suman Kumari Makes History as BSF's First Female Sniper
Sub-Inspector Suman Kumari etched her name in history as the first woman sniper of the Border Security Force (BSF). Her completion of an eight-week intensive sniper course at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT) in Indore not only showcases her exceptional abilities but also her pioneering spirit. Suman achieved the prestigious 'instructor grade', a testament to her proficiency and expertise.
Rajnath Singh Launches Rs. 750 crore Scheme ADITI for Start-ups
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme with a corpus of Rs. 750 crore for start-ups. The scheme will focus on innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies from start-ups through grants of up to Rs. 25 crore for research, development, and innovation in defence technology.
The scheme will nurture the innovation of youth, and help the country leap forward in the field of technology.
The scheme operational for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence to develop around 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies in the proposed timeframe.
In the first edition of ADITI, 17 challenges – Indian Army (3), Indian Navy (5), Indian Air Force (5) and Defence Space Agency (4) – to develop the latest technologies have been launched.
BPC Teams Up With Neeraj Chopra as Brand Ambassador for 'Speed' Petrol
Bharat Petroleum Corporation, a Fortune 500 Maharatna energy conglomerate named Olympic and World Javelin Champion Neeraj Chopra as the brand ambassador for its premium petrol 'Speed'.
Neeraj Chopra, with his achievements in athletics, epitomises the essence of winning, performance, and success. His role model status, journey and accomplishments align with the ethos of 'Speed', making him the perfect embodiment of the brand's values.
This collaboration with Neeraj Chopra follows BPCL's alliance with cricketing legend Rahul Dravid, who serves as the brand ambassador for the company's 'Pure for Sure' initiative and range of 'MAK lubricants'.
Dr. Pradeep Mahajan Receives Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024
In a remarkable recognition of his contributions to the field of regenerative medicine, Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, the Founder and Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of StemRx Hospital and Research Centre, along with StemRx Bioscience Solutions, was awarded the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024. This accolade is a testament to his pioneering efforts and substantial impact in advancing regenerative medicine, offering new hope and innovative treatments to patients worldwide.
Dr. Mahajan's journey in the medical field is marked by his innovative approach and dedication to regenerative medicine. His work has not only provided groundbreaking treatments for patients but has also significantly contributed to the scientific community's understanding of regenerative therapies.
Telangana Government Announces Launch of Indiramma Housing Scheme
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced the launch of the Indiramma Housing Scheme starting March 11. The scheme aims to provide housing solutions to the economically disadvantaged segments of society.
The first phase will witness the approval of 3,500 houses in each Assembly constituency, catering to a significant number of beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Reddy emphasised the importance of ensuring that eligible individuals without homes benefit from the scheme.
Individuals owning a plot of land will receive Rs. 5 lakh for constructing a new house on their plot.
Homeless individuals will be provided with Rs. 5 lakh along with a house plot for construction.
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, in a collaborative initiative with the National Institute of Hydrology Roorkee, held the Roorkee Water Conclave 2024. The conclave was an international conference held in Roorkee. It served as a pivotal platform for global discourse on water resources management, attracting diverse participants from researchers to policymakers.
With a focus on topics ranging from water management to emerging technologies, the conference facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.
With the support of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Government of India, the conclave aimed to help everyone understand the ideas of a circular economy and how to make the water sector stronger.
Tinder, Yuvaa Jointly Launch 'Let's Talk Consent' Course on Coursera
Tinder, a global dating app, launched a first-of-its-kind, online self learning course, 'Let's Talk Consent', focused on interpersonal consent. This course has been introduced in partnership with Yuvaa, a youth media organisation in India.
This new course will provide guidance about interpersonal consent to young adults in India.
This 90-minute multimedia course utilises surveys, assignments, and real-life examples to offer a nuanced understanding of consent in everyday situations. Five modules within the course cover:
Understanding consent in interpersonal relationships
Setting and enforcing personal boundaries
Recognising signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships via red, green and gray flags
Navigating online and offline interactions with safety and respect
Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates First Made-in-India ASTDS Tug
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of MoPSW & AYUSH, virtually inaugurated the 60T bollard pull tug named 'Ocean Grace' and the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU). The 'Ocean Grace' is the first Make-in-India ASTDS Tug developed by Cochin Shipyard Limited under MoPSW. The MMU is part of the port's commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud stated the Supreme Court is devising an objective framework to recognise 'super performer' trial court judges across India. This aims to motivate those efficiently clearing massive case backlogs through additional incentives amidst a growing pileup.
Trial courts in India currently grapple with staggering pendency exceeding 4.5 crore cases. Against over 19 lakh fresh case filings per month, an estimated 20,000 judges dispose nearly 13 lakh cases.
The Supreme Court realised that differentiated incentives are vital to motivate proactive judges who strive for higher disposal rates and case clearance compared to their peers. Continued equal treatment despite individual variations in effort, approach and productivity disincentivises star performers.
During a recent nationwide district judiciary conference, CJI Chandrachud stressed superlative judges cannot be equated to modest or underperforming ones when tackling pendency. Reward frameworks recognizing efforts could inspire more judges to emulate the stars among them.
While details remain pending, parameters under consideration for identifying star performers is likely to include:
Disposal rates and backlog reduction metrics
Judgment quality on legal soundness, clarity, analysis depth etc.
Courtroom administration like timeliness, decorum, transparency
Initiative taking, work ethic and diligence
Handling complex, sensitive and bold cases amidst external pressures
New Press and Registration of Periodicals Act Comes into Force
The new Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, came into force and the old Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, now stands repealed.
The registration of newspapers and periodicals was moved online in the Press Sewa Portal, while the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) was renamed as the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI), said the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
In tune with the ethos of Digital India, the new Act provides for an online system for facilitating the registration of newspapers and other periodicals in the country. The new system replaced the existing manual, cumbersome processes involving multiple steps and approvals at various stages which were causing unnecessary hardships to the publishers.
New Press and Registration of Periodicals Act Comes into Force
The new Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, came into force and the old Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, now stands repealed.
The registration of newspapers and periodicals was moved online in the Press Sewa Portal, while the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) was renamed as the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI), said the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
In tune with the ethos of Digital India, the new Act provides for an online system for facilitating the registration of newspapers and other periodicals in the country. The new system replaced the existing manual, cumbersome processes involving multiple steps and approvals at various stages which were causing unnecessary hardships to the publishers.
+91-85588-96644
