The Lok Sabha saw the introduction of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025—commonly called the VB-G RAM-G Bill—which is intended to replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticized the bill, claiming it would weaken MGNREGA and undermine its guarantee of 100 days of employment. During the Lok Sabha debate, the Wayanad MP argued that no legislation should be rushed through Parliament without proper consultation or discussion and accused the government of pushing the bill due to "personal obsession" or "bias."

Addressing the House, she said, "The bill should not be rushed through without proper consultation or discussion. It ought to be withdrawn, and a new bill should be introduced. Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy is an emotion shared by the nation, and this bill should be referred to the Standing Committee for detailed examination. No legislation should be pushed through merely due to personal obsession or bias." She also highlighted delays in MNREGA wage payments, stating, "This new bill will weaken the right to income for at least 100 days. Wherever you go, MNREGA employees will tell you they have not received their wages."

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sought the Lok Sabha’s approval to introduce the bill. The legislation proposes to increase wage employment to 125 days per rural household, up from 100, for adults willing to perform unskilled manual work. It also aims to ensure income security while creating durable, productivity-enhancing rural assets through a coordinated national development strategy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday began a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, countries that share deep civilisational ties and strong bilateral relations with India. “First, I will be visiting Jordan at the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between our countries,” Modi said while departing. During his visit, he will hold extensive discussions with King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, and also meet Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

In Ethiopia, Modi will address a joint session of Parliament, reflecting on India’s journey as the “Mother of Democracy” and highlighting the potential of India-Ethiopia partnership in supporting the Global South. He is also scheduled to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and interact with the Indian diaspora in the country, acknowledging their contributions to strengthening people-to-people ties.

The final leg of Modi’s tour will be in Oman, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. In Muscat, he will meet the Sultan of Oman to discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership, as well as economic and commercial cooperation. Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Oman, recognizing their pivotal role in the country’s development and in deepening bilateral relations. This visit underscores India’s commitment to nurturing historic partnerships and advancing cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres across the three countries.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said the country will never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by security personnel who gave their lives defending the “temple of democracy” during the 2001 Parliament terror attack, as leaders from across political parties paid homage on its anniversary.

Speaking to ANI, Rijiju said December 13 is a solemn day for the nation. He noted that every year tributes are paid at the Parliament premises to the martyrs, with the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Members of Parliament joining in remembrance. He emphasized that the fallen personnel laid down their lives to protect India’s democratic institutions and saved Parliament from terrorist assault.

President Droupadi Murmu also paid tribute to the martyrs, stating that the nation will always remain indebted to them and their families. In a post on X, she said the courage and dedication of the heroes who protected Parliament in 2001 continue to inspire the nation, reaffirming India’s resolve to fight terrorism in all forms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likewise honored the security personnel who made the supreme sacrifice. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Kiren Rijiju, and several senior parliamentarians from both the ruling alliance and the opposition also paid their respects. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remembered the martyrs, calling the attack a cowardly assault on the nation’s sovereignty and democracy, and said the country would forever be grateful for their sacrifice.

The Central Reserve Police Force paid special tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion, recalling her bravery during the attack. Despite sustaining serious injuries, she continued to pursue the terrorists and share crucial information, actions that led to all five attackers being neutralized. She was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra for her valor. On December 13, 2001, five heavily armed terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Parliament complex in New Delhi. The assault, which occurred shortly after Parliament was adjourned, claimed the lives of 14 people, including security personnel and a civilian.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu chaired an extensive review to evaluate airline preparedness for the upcoming winter-fog season. The Minister stated on X, “Today, I chaired a comprehensive review meeting with all key stakeholders—including DGCA, AAI, airport operators, airlines, and CISF—to assess readiness for the upcoming fog window in the winter schedule. All stakeholders have been directed to ensure full compliance, establish accountability, and strictly implement SOPs for fog operations. Focus must be on real-time data sharing, activating war rooms, and deploying CAT-II/III compliant aircraft with qualified crews. Clear instructions have been issued to ensure safe, seamless, and well-coordinated operations, along with timely updates to passengers to help them plan ahead. Every passenger is important, and any inconvenience will be addressed with accountability.”

Earlier on Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) dismissed four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) in connection with the recent IndiGo flight cancellation crisis. The officials relieved from DGCA duties are Rish Raj Chatterjee, Seema Jhamnani, Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, and Priyam Kaushik. The DGCA notice stated, “Following approval from the competent authority, the following FOIs, employed on a contract basis in various categories, are relieved from DGCA with immediate effect to return to their respective parent organizations: Rish Raj Chatterjee, Consultant [Dy. CFOI(A)]; Seema Jhamnani, SFOI(A); Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, Consultant [FOI(A)]; and Priyam Kaushik, Consultant [FOI(A)].”

Meanwhile, a special four-member DGCA committee will meet IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to question him about last week’s widespread flight cancellations that caused major disruption at multiple airports. The committee has been set up to investigate the flight disruptions and ensure the airline improves its operations. The DGCA had earlier issued a show-cause notice to Elbers after the cancellations, to which IndiGo responded, requesting additional time and stating that it is “realistically not possible to pinpoint the exact cause(s)” immediately due to the “complexity and vast scale of operations.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Australia is introducing a first-of-its-kind law that blocks minors from using social media without a parent’s approval. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the debate with Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University’s Internet Studies program: is this a vital measure to safeguard young people’s mental health, or an impractical policy that limits digital freedom?

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Just over 50% of voters acknowledge that climate change is real and driven by human activity, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Interestingly, a similar proportion held the same view more than 15 years ago. Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, and political reporter Josh Butler examine the disconnect between climate science and the politics of climate action in Australia. They also discuss why self-aware AI, rather than climate change, is seen as the biggest existential threat, and how strong public backing for gambling reform highlights the gap between Prime Minister Albanese’s current policies and the public’s appetite for change.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Frances Wong, who led a global anti-scam team at an international bank, discovered that her own mother had fallen prey to a scam. Motivated by this, she left her position and founded White Byte, a company dedicated to educating vulnerable individuals and businesses about scam prevention. Frances discusses how she connects with the elderly, migrant workers, and other at-risk groups, the advice she gives to victims, and the guidance she would offer her younger self.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.