On National Girl Child Day, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with PM Narendra Modi, emphasized the importance of empowering girls and ensuring equality. Priyanka highlighted women as symbols of strength and progress, quoting Dr Ambedkar. PM Modi reaffirmed the government's efforts in education, technology, and healthcare to empower girls. Rahul stressed the responsibility to secure a bright future for daughters. The day, initiated in 2008, underscores the significance of eradicating gender discrimination and supporting girls' rights and welfare.
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A Rajya Sabha MP urges the health minister to enable local production of Risdiplam, a vital drug for spinal muscular atrophy, to reduce costs. Current patents prevent affordable production. Encouraging local manufacturing could make the drug accessible at significantly reduced prices, benefiting thousands of patients in India.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expresses optimism about the visit of a US delegation to India for trade discussions, considering the impact of upcoming reciprocal tariffs by the US. Tharoor emphasizes the importance of finding a balanced solution to safeguard India's trade interests and address concerns over Trump's trade policies affecting India's exports.
From April, automobile manufacturers must recycle at least 8% of steel from vehicles sold in 2005-06, increasing to 18% by 2035-36 per new EPR norms. Compliance includes obtaining EPR certificates from authorized scrapping facilities, promoting consumer awareness, and tracking activities on a centralized portal managed by CPCB.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot affirms the strength of the INDIA bloc, despite the Congress and AAP contesting against each other in Delhi elections. He acknowledges the alliance will adopt varied stands in certain state elections. Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav also dismisses rumors of internal conflicts.
Roshni Nadar has made history as the first woman to join India’s top 10 wealthiest list with a net worth of US$40 billion, thanks to her father Shiv Nadar’s 47% stake in HCL Technologies. She joins other prominent women like Alice Walton and Francoise Bettencourt Meyers in the Hurun Global Rich List 2025.
A political controversy has started in Maharashtra over the government's new 'Malhar Certification' initiative. Minister Nitesh Rane launched this certification for Hindu meat traders to ensure shops are 100% Hindu-owned and free from adulteration. Opposition leaders have criticised the move, calling it divisive and unconstitutional. Rane defended the initiative, focusing on ensuring quality and promoting Hindu-owned businesses.
Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, has petitioned the Bombay high court for a fresh investigation into her June 2020 death, alleging she was raped and murdered. He seeks an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray and a CBI probe, citing a politically-motivated cover-up.
The Central government has instructed states and Union Territories to implement Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, providing relief to undertrial prisoners, particularly those serving one-third or one-half of their maximum sentences. Authorities are to furnish the status of implementation and compliance, aiding in reducing long detentions and overcrowding in prisons.
Harpreet Kaur Babla of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been elected as the new Mayor of Chandigarh, securing 19 out of 36 votes, including three from cross-voting. Her victory comes despite the alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, marking a crucial political shift.
NHAI will implement a variable UPI payment system at toll plazas to eliminate cash transactions and ensure accurate fee collection. The trial has begun at Kherki Dhaula toll plaza in Haryana and will expand nationwide. This system aims to enhance convenience, reduce transaction time, and prevent fraud, addressing issues of unauthorized fund transfer via parallel software.