On Tuesday, the Election Commission (EC) announced that the estimated voter turnouts for Phase-I and -II of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections stood at 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent, respectively. These phases encompassed a total of 189 constituencies. Unofficial estimates suggest that the voter turnout percentage was three to four points lower compared to the turnout recorded in these constituencies five years ago. However, historical data indicates that fluctuations in voter turnout do not consistently correlate with the defeat or victory of incumbents. In other political developments, the Congress party unveiled its latest candidate list on Tuesday. Actor-turned-politician…
Author: Nupur Rohila
Nupur Rohila
Love, nature, women's empowerment, and social issues make up the bulk of Nupur's writing topics. She earned a Master of Arts in Ancient History and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Delhi University before she began writing. It just so happens that Nupur also aced the Junior Research Fellowship exam for history. At present, Neha is working as a freelance content writer.
During the ‘Viksit Bharat Ambassador’ event, Minister of Finance, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, celebrated India’s significant uptick in digital payments. Notably, she cited an impressive 131 billion transactions via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) during FY24, totaling US$ 2.39 trillion (Rs. 200 trillion). Sitharaman commended the widespread adoption of digital payment technologies, emphasizing their penetration even in rural areas, showcasing a broad spectrum of citizens engaging in these transactions. In her address, she spotlighted PhonePe and Google Pay, commanding an 86% market share by transaction volume, while acknowledging the challenges faced by Paytm Payments Bank post-RBI restrictions in January. The minister reiterated…
In his address on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the shifting perception of India globally, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and technological achievements such as the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He emphasized that decisions made within India are closely observed and have far-reaching implications worldwide. Jaishankar noted the significant impact of India’s COVID management and space exploration endeavors on Indians living abroad, showcasing the country’s prowess on the global stage. Jaishankar stressed the importance of India’s response to the COVID crisis, which initially raised concerns internationally but ultimately earned praise for its effective handling and support initiatives.…
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting convened in Astana under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane underscored the imperative of adopting a stringent stance against terrorism in all its manifestations. The gathering, attended by heads of defence departments from SCO member states, the Secretary General, the Director of the Executive Committee of the Organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), and Belarus’ Minister of Defence, culminated in a joint declaration. This declaration, among other resolutions, endorsed the advancement of the concept of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, inspired by the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.…
India’s Power Secretary, Pankaj Agarwal, discussed the Narendra Modi government’s initiatives to advance solar power during the 26th edition of the World Energy Congress, aiming to align with COP28 renewable energy commitments. At a Ministerial Round Table Conference, Agarwal highlighted initiatives like the PM-KUSUM Scheme and solar rooftop programs, promoting environmental sustainability and job creation. He mentioned the Indian Carbon Market as another step towards sustainability. The PM-KUSUM Scheme targets 10,000 MW of Decentralised Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants and 27.50 lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps, aiming to increase non-fossil-fuel power to 40% by 2030. Agarwal noted India’s efforts,…
Bhavini Patel, an Indian American, faced defeat in her attempt to unseat progressive Democrat Rep. Summer Lee in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Lee secured nearly 61 percent of the votes, confirming the strength of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in Western Pennsylvania. During the campaign, Patel criticized Lee’s stance on a ceasefire in Gaza and accused her of neglecting the district’s Jewish community. Patel labeled Lee as an extremist, advocating for unity within the Democratic Party and support for President Joe Biden’s policies. In response to her victory, Lee emphasized the rejection of right-wing interests and Republican billionaires…
In 1969, Robert Noyce, co-founder of Intel, explored setting up a fabrication unit for integrated circuits in India. However, India’s facility size didn’t align with Intel’s ambitions. Despite a setback, India initiated semiconductor ambitions with the Semiconductor Complex Ltd, which faced a fire in 1989. Today, global economies, including India, pursue self-sufficiency in semiconductor chip manufacturing post-Covid. While Intel hasn’t considered India for a fab yet, Micron, PSMC, and Renesas have invested in India’s semiconductor vision. The government aims for a comprehensive ecosystem beyond fabs. Establishing semiconductor fabs and ATMPs leads to downstream ecosystem development critical to India’s semiconductor goals.…
In the fiscal year 2023-24, India reached a significant milestone by exporting a record 4.8 million tonnes of oil meal, primarily utilized as animal feed. This achievement, reported by the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), was propelled by a resurgence in soybean meal shipments. These exports amounted to US$ 1.84 billion (Rs. 15,368 crore), marking the highest quantity and value since fiscal year 2013-14, surpassing the previous record of 43.81 lakh tonnes and US$ 1.38 billion (Rs. 11,500 crore) in 2013-14. During the April-March period of the 2023-24 fiscal year, overall oil meal exports reached 4.886 million tonnes, indicating…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for the unregulated growth of esports, particularly skill-based gaming, during a discussion on Saturday. Stressing the importance of allowing the sector to thrive within a structured legal framework, he highlighted its potential to offer diverse career opportunities for the youth while fostering innovation. Engaging with prominent Indian gamers, PM Modi underscored the significance of gaming as a viable career path for young individuals. He emphasized that rather than imposing regulations, the focus should be on facilitating the industry’s development within an organized legal framework tailored to the country’s requirements. PM Modi expressed his vision of…
Bollywood veteran Jackie Shroff extended heartfelt wishes to his fans on ‘Happy Ram Navami’ as the world commemorated the auspicious occasion. Sharing a throwback video, he revisited his pilgrimage to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh on January 22, 2024. In the video, Jackie Shroff is seen walking barefoot, paying homage to the sacred site. Clips from the grand inauguration ceremony, where he was among the esteemed guests, were showcased. Notably, he carried a plant, symbolizing his commitment to environmental advocacy. The video also captured a moment of humility as Jackie Shroff engaged in temple cleaning in Mumbai,…