Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has spoken out against the practice of offering freebies by political parties in India, stating that job creation instead of handouts is the key to eliminating poverty. He also suggested that government benefits should come with incentives or conditions to encourage positive outcomes. This comes after his previous recommendation for young people to be prepared to work long hours sparked a debate last year.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Purim celebration at the National Police Academy, drew a comparison between the story of Purim and the current conflict between Israel and Iran. He warned that the Jewish state must be prepared to defend itself against the modern-day Persian threat, just as the Jewish people were saved from annihilation in Persia. This came in the wake of the passing of Maxine Jacobs Bally, a long-time resident of Columbus and a beacon of love and warmth for her family and friends, who passed away on Feb. 7, 2025.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticizes Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's decision to remove the rupee symbol from the state's 2025-26 Budget logo, calling it an example of language and regional chauvinism. She points out that the rupee symbol was officially adopted in 2010 when the DMK was part of the ruling alliance at the Centre and warns that this decision reflects a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity. Sitharaman also reminds elected representatives of their constitutional duty to uphold the nation's sovereignty and integrity.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to impose Hindi on the state through the National Education Policy. He has been speaking out against the policy, calling it an attempt to develop Hindi instead of India. The centre has not responded to his recent attacks, with Stalin questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to federalism and accusing the BJP of seeking political revenge.
In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has ordered Google and social media platforms X and Meta to remove a video posted by journalist and YouTuber, Shyam Meera Singh, which criticizes spiritual leader Jaggi Sadhguru and his organization, Isha Foundation. The Court also directed Singh to refrain from publishing or sharing the video further. The decision was made on the grounds that the video contained unverified and potentially harmful information, and the title was deemed to be clickbait. The suit, filed by Isha Foundation, argued that the video was released with malicious intent just before a significant event involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the Chief Guest.
The Union government has proposed a new bill, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, in the Lok Sabha with the aim of better controlling India's borders and managing the entry and exit of foreigners. The bill, which will replace four existing laws, has already sparked concerns from critics who fear potential violations of fundamental rights and hindering the inflow of talent to the country. Despite this, the government seems determined to move forward with its plans to establish a Bureau of Immigration.
Artisans from across the state of Maharashtra have gathered in Parel's Bhivajirao Nare Park to protest against the Bombay High Court's ban on the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols. According to the court, only eco-friendly clay idols should be used for the festival, but the artisans argue that these idols are not strong enough for tall installations, which are a main characteristic and tourist attraction of the festival. They claim that the ban is being influenced by competitors in the clay idol business, and are exploring all options to reverse the ban. The High Court's judgement in January led to the installation of artificial ponds for the visarjan (immersion) of PoP idols in Mumbai.
On the anniversary of the historic Dandi March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to all those who played a crucial role in India's fight for freedom. He emphasized the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and the unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence displayed by the participants, stating that their legacy continues to inspire generations.
In a heated Lok Sabha session, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Tamil Nadu government of being dishonest and playing politics with the future of students by backing out of signing an MoU for implementing the new National Education Policy (NEP). This sparked a sharp retort from DMK and other opposition parties, leading to protests and brief adjournment of the House. The BJP also accused the DMK of opposing the NEP out of fear of losing next year's assembly elections.
The second day of the Parliament Budget Session was filled with heated debates and protests, as opposition parties demanded a detailed discussion on the doubts surrounding the electoral process and the controversial National Education Policy. The Lok Sabha also discussed the Manipur budget and passed four bills, while the DMK MP Kanimozhi filed a privilege motion against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his remarks about Tamil Nadu. Government sources have also stated that the Waqf Amendment Bill will be brought for passage later this month. Stay updated on all the action with our LIVE updates.