President Droupadi Murmu attended the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa's College in Ernakulam, Kerala, as per an official statement from the President's Secretariat. In her address, she praised the college for its unwavering commitment to promoting women's education, emphasizing its vital role in social transformation and nation-building. She acknowledged the vision and legacy of the founders and leaders who have guided the institution through a century of accomplishments.

The President highlighted Kerala's contribution to national leadership, noting that three of the fifteen exceptional women in the Constituent Assembly—Ammu Swaminathan, Annie Mascarene, and Dakshayani Velayudan—played key roles in shaping discussions on fundamental rights, social justice, and gender equality. She also mentioned Justice Anna Chandy, the first woman High Court judge in India, and Justice M. Fathima Beevi, the first woman Supreme Court judge, as milestones in women's progress.

President Murmu described the college's students as a reflection of young, thriving, and vibrant India, stressing the importance of women's active participation in leveraging the country’s demographic dividend. She noted that gender budget allocations have increased four-and-a-half times over the past decade, women-led MSMEs nearly doubled between 2011 and 2024, and achieving 70% female workforce participation is crucial for realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

She commended the college's alumnae for their contributions to the nation’s growth and development. The President also praised the institution's SLATE project, which promotes Sustainability, Leadership, and Agency through Education, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020. She noted that such initiatives, which prepare young people for the Sustainable Development Goals and future employment, will help India emerge as a knowledge superpower.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

On the auspicious occasion of Bhai Bij, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a newly built residential complex for members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar on Thursday. According to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the complex, located in Sector 17 and constructed by the State Government’s Roads and Buildings Department, spans a total area of 28,576 square meters. Each residence covers 238.45 square meters and includes three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, an office, and a servant’s room.

The inauguration event was attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Deputy Speaker Jethabhai Ahir. Built at an estimated cost of ₹325 crore, the complex is equipped with modern amenities, including a large garden, a multipurpose hall with a 300-person capacity, a community hall, swimming pool, gymnasium, dining hall, indoor sports facilities, a dispensary, and a provision store.

To address parking needs, each residence has been allotted two parking spaces—one in the basement and another on the ground floor. All internal roads within the premises are constructed using RCC. Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Catch the Rain” campaign, the complex includes rainwater harvesting systems for underground water collection and storage. Additionally, 600 trees have been planted across the premises, supporting the Prime Minister’s vision of environmental conservation.

Of the 12 blocks comprising 216 total residences, 10 blocks (180 units) are fully furnished with both fixed and movable furniture, while the remaining two blocks (36 units) are equipped with fixed furniture only. In the past, during 1990–91, 168 three-story residences were built in Sector 21 across 14 blocks, each measuring 85.30 square meters with two bedrooms, a drawing room, and a kitchen. The new complex has been constructed to meet current and future housing demands, offering modern 3BHK units with carpet areas of 170.32 square meters. Each residence features an office with a waiting area, a servant’s room, a kitchen, a dining room, a living room with a balcony, a dressing room, and two bathrooms.

The complex also includes two elevators and fully furnished interiors. Following the inauguration, Amit Shah visited the site, inspected the units, and expressed satisfaction with the state-of-the-art facilities. The event was attended by Gandhinagar Mayor Smt. Miraben Patel, local MLAs, City BJP President Ashish Dave, municipal councillors, Roads and Buildings Secretary Prabhat Pateliya, and senior officials from the department and district administration.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from GujaratCMO.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday stated that air pollution in the city on Diwali night was lower this year compared to last year. Her remarks followed reports that Delhi’s air pollution reached a four-year high on Diwali, with particulate matter 2.5 levels peaking at 675. Addressing the issue, Gupta said she would meet a Punjab minister on Thursday to raise concerns about crop residue burning, which remains a major contributor to winter pollution in the national capital. She highlighted that the difference in average Air Quality Index (AQI) before and after Diwali this year was smaller than last year, despite firecrackers being permitted this time.

The Chief Minister emphasized that her government was taking all necessary measures with “greater alertness” to control pollution. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa noted that the AQI rose from 341 before Diwali to 356 afterward, an increase of just 15 points, indicating a comparatively moderate impact.

Sirsa also accused farmers in Punjab of being “forced and threatened” to burn paddy straw (parali) during Diwali, suggesting that the state government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party, was attempting to influence pollution levels in Delhi. The remarks underline ongoing tensions between Delhi and Punjab over air quality management and the need for coordinated action to reduce seasonal pollution caused by crop residue burning. Gupta’s comments reflect the government’s focus on monitoring air quality, controlling firecracker usage, and engaging neighboring states to mitigate pollution, signaling a multi-pronged approach to address the city’s persistent environmental challenges.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Ahead of Diwali, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a special bonus for 14.82 lakh state government employees in Uttar Pradesh. The state government will incur an expenditure of Rs 1,022 crore to provide this benefit. According to the UP CM’s office, eligible employees will receive a bonus of up to Rs 6,908 each, calculated based on 30 days’ emoluments.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced an ad hoc bonus for approximately six lakh state government employees on the occasion of Diwali. The bonus will be given to employees at pay level L-12 or with a grade pay of Rs 4,800 or below, with each eligible employee receiving a maximum bonus of Rs 6,774. In a post on X, the CM stated, “Special Gift for State Government Employees on the Occasion of Diwali! Our government, dedicated to good governance, has announced the provision of an ad hoc bonus for approximately 6 lakh employees on this auspicious occasion.” He added that the benefit will also extend to employees of Panchayat Samitis and District Councils.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has similarly announced an ad hoc Diwali bonus for Class-4 employees, granting up to Rs 7,000 to around 16,921 employees. This includes employees working under state cabinet departments, the Legislative Assembly, panchayats, university-affiliated colleges, grant-in-aid schools and colleges, and Class-4 employees in state government boards and corporations where bonuses are not otherwise provided. The move aims to bring festive cheer to the employees across the state. These announcements reflect a wider trend of state governments providing financial support to employees during the festive season, recognizing their contributions and boosting morale ahead of Diwali.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Questions are rising over the sudden collapse of the trial against a teacher and a parliamentary researcher accused of spying for China. Arrested in 2023 amid warnings of Chinese influence, the case fell apart just days before it was due to start, leaving experts and the media stunned. The incident raises new questions about UK-China relations.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Gaurdain

After seven years, the defamation case of Ben Roberts-Smith versus Nine newspapers has come to an end, with the High Court rejecting his appeal against a Federal Court ruling that, on the balance of probabilities, determined he committed war crimes. Guardian Australia senior reporter Ben Doherty discusses with Reged Ahmad what this outcome means for Roberts-Smith, who still denies the allegations, and the broader implications of the lengthy legal battle.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

This week, the US president revealed he is filing a $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times and boasted about the suspension of the late-night program Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Meanwhile, JD Vance pledged to take action against “far left” groups. Jonathan Freedland interviews Bhaskar Sunkara, president of The Nation magazine, to discuss the future of Americans’ constitutional right to free speech under a Trump presidency.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey interview Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for EU relations, discussing the impact of Brexit and the UK’s relationship with the European Union. They also explore his views on Keir Starmer’s leadership and how Labour could challenge Nigel Farage and the growing influence of Reform.

Disclaimer: This Podacast is taken from The Guardian.