Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India has begun, with a new Cabinet of 71 ministers being announced. Senior ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, S Jaishankar, and Nirmala Sitharaman have retained their previous portfolios, while nine new faces have also joined the Cabinet. With 30 holding Cabinet rank and 35 as Ministers of State, it is an inclusive cabinet with representation from allies as well. Stay up-to-date with live updates on The Quint.
Rajnath Singh is a renowned Indian politician and defense minister who has held several prominent positions in the Indian government. He is currently serving as India's Defense Minister for a second term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Background and Career:
Born on July 10, 1951, in Uttar Pradesh, Singh began his political career as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1974. He gained prominence as a fiery orator and a staunch advocate of Hindu nationalism.
Singh has held various positions in the BJP, including General Secretary and President. He served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2000 to 2002 and as the President of the BJP from 2005 to 2009.
As Defense Minister:
Singh first served as Defense Minister from 2014 to 2019 under Modi's first government. During his first term, he oversaw several key developments, including:
In 2019, Singh was reappointed as Defense Minister in Modi's second government. He has continued to focus on modernizing the Indian military and enhancing its operational capabilities.
Key Initiatives:
Some of Singh's notable initiatives during his tenure as Defense Minister include:
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Q1: What is Rajnath Singh's political background? A: He is a prominent member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and President of the BJP.
Q2: When did he first become Defense Minister? A: He first served as Defense Minister from 2014 to 2019.
Q3: What are some of his key initiatives as Defense Minister? A: Some of his initiatives include the Rafale Deal, Tejas Mk II development, Defense Space Agency, Agnipath Scheme, and handling the Galwan Valley clash.
Q4: How many times has he served as Defense Minister? A: He has served as Defense Minister for two terms, from 2014 to 2019 and from 2019 to present.
Q5: What are his main responsibilities as Defense Minister? A: As Defense Minister, Singh oversees the Indian military, develops defense policies, and coordinates with foreign countries on defense matters.
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action by suspending officials and ordering a judicial probe into the incident. Criticizing the lack of responsibility and failure to assess the situation, Naidu's political opponents are also utilizing the incident to attack his government. Amidst the controversy, the temple's reputation for managing large crowds has taken a hit and measures are being suggested to prevent such incidents in the future.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been in the news for its melting glaciers and concerns about climate change. However, its strategic importance has also caught the attention of leaders like President Trump who recently expressed interest in purchasing the island. This is not a new idea, as previous presidents have also considered acquiring Greenland due to its location, potential energy resources, and role in the Arctic region. This article explores the history of this proposition and the current geopolitical considerations surrounding Greenland.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.
The nation bids farewell to former President Jimmy Carter as his funeral procession takes place from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the Capitol in Washington D.C. The event was attended by many political figures and members of the public, paying their respects to the late President. Despite the solemn atmosphere, the streets were lined with people celebrating Carter's life and legacy.