PM Narendra Modi will launch 'Mission Mausam' during the 150th foundation day celebration of the India Meteorological Department. The mission aims to make India weather-ready and climate-smart using advanced technologies. Modi will also release the IMD Vision-2047 document to bolster weather resilience. IMD plans a series of events and workshops and has invited meteorologists from various countries to participate in the celebrations.
Related news
Nidhi Tewari, a 2014-batch IFS officer, has been appointed as the private secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She is currently serving as deputy secretary in the PMO. Tewari hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and joined the Prime Minister's Office as Under Secretary in 2022. Her appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for allowing a first officer to operate a flight without meeting mandatory recency requirements. The sanctions were due to failures in the airline's rostering system, and three senior officials are to face disciplinary actions.
The central panel in Delhi-NCR revoked Stage-III air quality restrictions amid improved pollution levels and favorable weather conditions. Institutions are urged to adhere to Stage-I and II protocols to prevent deterioration of air quality. Citizens are advised to follow guidelines, with further potential weather disruptions expected around mid-January 2025.
AAP accused the BJP-led government of removing photos of Dr Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from the Delhi Chief Minister's office. BJP denied these claims and displayed pictures showing the portraits intact. Manoj Tiwari criticized AAP for spreading confusion and ruining Delhi over the past 11 years. AAP's Kejriwal and Atishi criticized BJP's actions.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju supports the three-language policy in the New Education Policy, asserting that it benefits the entire country. Amidst opposition from the Tamil Nadu government, Rijiju emphasizes unity and rejects divisive politics based on language and religion, highlighting leadership examples with diverse mother tongues.
Total annual groundwater recharge in India slightly declined in 2024 due to higher extraction, with significant contributions from northwest states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Increase in 'critical' and 'over-exploited' units raises concerns about water scarcity, despite improvement in some areas.
India celebrated its 76th Republic Day with a grand parade featuring 16 tableaux from states and Union Territories, 15 from central ministries, and organizations. Highlights included Captain Dimple Singh Bhati's salute to President Murmu, Pralay missile's debut, a tri-services tableau, an Indonesian contingent's first participation, and vibrant cultural performances showcasing India's folk and tribal traditions.
The number of voters in Delhi increased by nearly eight lakh since the last assembly polls, with significant growth in constituencies like Bawana and Vikaspuri. However, 14 constituencies, including Delhi Cantonment and New Delhi, saw a decline in electorate numbers due to factors like government housing policy changes.
India's electorate has grown by 2.2% to over 99 crore since the last special summary revision in 2024, with female voters exceeding 48 crore for the first time. Uttar Pradesh leads with 15.3 crore voters, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar. The gender ratio and electors to population ratio have also improved.
Katra, the base camp for Vaishno Devi temple resumed normalcy after a week-long shutdown. The government released 18 protesters and suspended the ropeway project until concerns are addressed. Pilgrims returned to the town, and traffic movement was restored. The project aimed to help senior citizens, but locals feared losing their livelihoods.