In response to soaring airfares due to the Maha Kumbh pilgrimage, the Centre has instructed airlines to increase flight frequency to Prayagraj. Airlines such as Akasa and SpiceJet have added numerous flights to alleviate fare pressures and enhance accessibility for devotees during important snan dates in January and February.
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The Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) has secured approval for Chandrayaan-5, a significant Moon mission in collaboration. This mission will feature a rover ten times heavier than the one carried by its predecessor, Chandrayaan-4.
Rahul Gandhi did not attend the scheduled court appearance related to his statement on economic reservation in Bareilly. The court has now rescheduled the hearing to January 17 and transferred the case to the MP-MLA court. The petitioner, Pankaj Pathak, alleges Gandhi's statement was offensive and aimed at community appeasement, seeking appropriate judicial action.
Rahul Gandhi condemns the Bihar government's lathi charge on BPSC candidates protesting against a paper leak and demanding exam cancellation. He calls the act 'shameful and reprehensible.' Lalu Prasad Yadav also criticizes the police's actions. Despite protesters' claims of injuries, the SSP denies them, stating only mild force was used to disperse the crowd.
The railway ministry has invited bids for a signalling system to enable Vande Bharat trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed corridor by 2027, due to delays in procuring Japanese Shinkansen trains, which are now expected to be operational in stages by 2030 and fully by 2033.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge admitted that while the party highlighted crucial issues like pollution and development against AAP, they failed to secure the public's mandate in the Delhi assembly polls. Despite creating an opposing atmosphere, Congress did not win any seats for the third consecutive time. Kharge emphasized the need for further hard work and public engagement.
Haryana's proposal to remove 'Chura', 'Bhangi', and 'Mochi' from its Scheduled Caste list has revealed an unconstitutional decision made in 2013. The state had issued administrative orders to use synonymous caste names, which only the Centre and Parliament have the authority to change.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak highlighted the substantial development and improvement in infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh over the past eight years. He noted the end of mafia rule, increasing investment, and the visible accomplishments in various development projects, especially in the Cantt Assembly constituency.
Bihar minister Prem Kumar underscored public support for the NDA, dismissing Lalu Yadav's influence. He advocates for a double-engine government for fast-tracked development. Union minister Chirag Paswan is confident NDA will win over 225 seats in the assembly polls. CM Nitish Kumar reaffirmed commitment to women's empowerment and highlighted welfare work.
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin criticized Governor RN Ravi for walking out of the assembly due to the playing of the Tamil anthem instead of the national anthem. The governor claimed that Stalin disrespects the nation and constitution, while the assembly followed its tradition of starting with the Tamil anthem.
A mechanical engineer from Tamil Nadu was arrested in Delhi for allegedly duping a Japanese professor, after becoming involved with a Chinese cybercrime syndicate in Cambodia. Promised easy money, he had managed bank accounts used in the cyber operations before striking out on his own.