The Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple, closed for decades in Varanasi's Muslim-dominated Madanpura, was reopened with the help of the district administration and police. Keys were handed over to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Local Muslim residents and various Hindu organizations collaborated peacefully in cleaning and securing the temple, planning its revival post-Makar Sankranti.
Related news
The West Bengal government informed the Supreme Court about conducting a fresh assessment of community backwardness for OBC categorization and reservation, aiming to complete it within three months. The move follows the Calcutta High Court's order cancelling OBC status of some castes, criticizing the state’s criteria, particularly in quickly including certain Muslim communities.
The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, established in 2010 to resolve water-sharing disputes among Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, received another six-month extension from the government. Despite over 14 years in operation, the tribunal has yet to issue a final resolution. Previously, it submitted a report in 2018, but all three states raised objections requiring revisions.
As the US, under President Trump, continues to impose tariffs, India is working to address these challenges. A potential India-US trade deal could alleviate issues regarding tariffs and market access, which are currently affecting various sectors, including electronics and automobiles.
Kolkata court judge emphasized reform over retribution in sentencing Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment for a rape-and-murder case. Experts and advocacy groups supported the ruling, arguing that capital punishment is not more effective than life imprisonment and should be reserved for 'rarest of rare' cases.
Mr. Bhaskar Das, affectionately known as BD, is remembered for his unending zest for life and insatiable hunger for knowledge, despite battling cancer. His vibrant personality and unwavering passion for his work and friends made him a beloved figure in the industry.
The unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above in urban areas decreased to 6.4 per cent in the October-December quarter of 2024, as per the National Sample Survey. The labour force participation rate also rose slightly to 50.4 per cent during the same period.
Exit polls for the Delhi assembly election predict a strong return for BJP, which is expected to secure 43 seats, while AAP is projected to win 26 seats. BJP leaders express confidence in exceeding these predictions, while AAP and Congress await the final results on February 8.
The Allahabad high court has stayed the arrest of SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, implicated in the violence during a survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, UP. The court has allowed the investigation to continue and instructed Barq to cooperate with the authorities. The clashes resulted in multiple casualties.
In 2023-24, a record number of Indian students utilized the OPT programme to build work experience in the US. Despite the rising MAGA rhetoric and potential policy changes, the demand for skilled professionals in fields like AI and biotechnology ensures continuing interest from Indian graduates.
IMA president Dr Dilip Bhanushali criticized the integration of alternative medicine systems with modern medicine, calling it a 'menace' during a ceremony in Dehradun. He warned it can lead to harmful treatments by inadequately trained practitioners, promoting quackery. Bhanushali emphasized that rigorous training of modern surgeons cannot be equaled by short-term training for alternative medicine practitioners.