The United Nations General Assembly has officially declared July 6 as 'World Rural Development Day' to raise awareness about the crucial role of rural development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Member states, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to observe this day and participate in activities promoting sustainable rural development. Additionally, the General Assembly has also adopted a resolution calling for the annual convening of the "United Nations Games" and inviting stakeholders to contribute to a trust fund dedicated to the games.
In a move to shake things up before the upcoming Haryana Assembly Elections, the Congress party has decided that sitting MPs will not be allowed to contest in the state polls. This announcement has put an end to speculations of Lok Sabha MP Kumari Selja and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala running for the Haryana elections. Additionally, Congress General Secretary Deepak Babaria confirmed that sitting MLAs with anti-incumbency or a bad image in their constituency will not be given tickets for the upcoming election.
Congress and National Conference leaders will meet to discuss alliance and iron out differences over seat-sharing for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls. The central leadership of Congress will hold talks with the Abdullahs in Srinagar to address any issues that have arisen during negotiations between the local leadership of the parties. While both parties have reached a general agreement on seat-sharing, some clarification is needed before an official announcement is made. Despite the hiccups, both parties remain committed to their alliance and are hopeful that things will be resolved by the end of the day.
The 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace unanimously recognized the profound contributions of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to global peace, declaring July 6th as the ‘Universal Day of Compassion’. This decision was celebrated by Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, who expressed his pride on Twitter. The 'Universal Day of Compassion' aims to spread the values of compassion, empathy, and peace advocated by the Dalai Lama.
On June 26th, 2024, the world will once again come together to observe World Drug Day, also known as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. With the theme "The evidence is clear: invest in prevention," this significant day highlights the need for evidence-based strategies and increased investment in prevention programs to effectively combat the global drug problem. The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 1987, coinciding with the signing of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1971. Through its observance, the world continues to raise awareness and promote efforts to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
On June 21, 2024, people around the world celebrated International Yoga Day, a tradition started by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. In New York City, fitness enthusiasts took to the streets of Times Square to participate in the ancient Indian practice, beating the excruciating heatwave. International Yoga Day has been accepted by the United Nations General Assembly and is seen as India's gift to the world, with representatives from various countries joining in on the celebrations.
The Congress's decision to field AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the Wayanad bypoll, following Rahul Gandhi's relinquishment of the seat, is a strategic move to consolidate the party's gains in the 2021 Assembly elections in Kerala. With a high percentage of minority communities in Wayanad, considered a safe seat for the Nehru family's influence in South India, Ms. Vadra's charismatic presence is expected to unify warring factions and appeal to voters' memories of her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The decision has also been backed by the Indian Union Muslim League, a key ally of the Congress, ensuring their loyalty to the UDF alliance.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Mohan Charan Majhi, a former General Secretary of the BJP Odisha ST Morcha and a four-time MLA, to be the new Chief Minister of Odisha. His selection marks the end of Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) 24-year-long rule, making him the first BJP Chief Minister in the state. Over the years, Majhi has showcased his dedication and leadership skills through his prominent role in the party and relentless service to his constituents. This decision comes after the BJP's successful 2024 Assembly elections in which it formed an alliance with BJD in 2000 and 2004, winning 38 and 32 seats respectively.
In the highly anticipated Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as the clear winner, securing his seat for the second time by a significant margin of 1,52,513 votes. The PM's 2024 victory solidifies his hold on the constituency, which comprises of five Assembly segments and is considered a general seat. Despite facing tough competition from Congress' Ajay Rai and BSP's Athar Jamal Lari, Modi maintained his position as the front runner and garnered over 6 lakh votes. This win marks Modi's fourth consecutive victory in Varanasi and further solidifies his positioning in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
Indian domestic equity benchmarks Nifty 50 and Sensex are expected to open at new record highs following the announcement of exit polls and ahead of the general assembly election results. The GIFT Nifty futures are also showing a strong upward trend, currently up 3.52%. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute market updates, expert views, investment ideas, and more throughout the day. Don't miss out on the latest in the business world - keep an eye on this space!