Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for designating the state's Madhav National Park as India's 58th and MP's 9th tiger reserve. The CM highlighted the state's commitment to wildlife conservation and efforts to promote sustainable tourism. With Madhya Pradesh's rich biodiversity and high population of tigers, the new Madhav Tiger Reserve is set to become a major attraction for wildlife lovers.
The Maha Kumbh-2025 in Prayagraj, India, has become the largest human congregation ever recorded, with over 650 million devotees from 73 nations participating in the sacred event. The festival, which takes place once every 144 years, saw nearly 50% of India's population and over 60% of the country's Sanatani devotees taking a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati. The event also provided a massive economic boost, contributing over Rs 3 lakh crore to Uttar Pradesh's economy.
As Japan’s population declines, experts predict that major cities like Yokohama and Kobe will start losing residents by 2035 due to aging and lack of immigration. Urban planning expert Hiroo Ichikawa believes immigration is the solution, but the idea is met with resistance in Japanese society due to concerns and media coverage of violence involving immigrants in other countries.
In India, where joint families are the norm, old age homes are seen as a form of abandonment and neglect towards the elderly. But with the growing trend of nuclear families and lack of resources, many families struggle to take care of their elders. The solution may not lie in blaming children, but rather in creating well-equipped and supportive retirement communities that provide physical and emotional support for the elderly. It’s time to change our perception of old age homes and provide viable options for the aging population.
The annual census of dolphins at Chilika lake in India's eastern state of Odisha has begun, with over 100 people participating in the three-day exercise. Equipped with specialized equipment, a team of retired government officials, researchers, students, and experts are counting the dolphins at India's largest brackish water lagoon. The census aims to track the population of the endangered species, which is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List. Last year's data was not released due to adverse weather conditions, but in 2023, 173 dolphins of two species were found in the lake. The census is being carried out by the Chilika wildlife division in collaboration with the Chilika Development Authority.
As India gears up for its 73rd Republic Day celebrations, the selection of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the chief guest is significant in multiple ways. This is the fourth time an Indonesian leader will attend the event, showcasing the long-standing cordial relationship between the two countries. With growing ties in the military sector, India is eyeing Indonesia as a potential buyer of Brahmos missiles, with talks underway for a $450 million deal. The strategic positioning of Indonesia, as well as its large Muslim population, makes this partnership all the more important for India.
Deepender Singh Hooda, a Congress MP, has requested for non-resident Indians (NRIs) to have representation in Parliament during a recent meeting of the parliamentary committee on external affairs. This is due to the increasing population of NRIs and the unique challenges they face, as well as examples from other countries such as Italy that provide legislative seats for citizens residing overseas. This move could address issues specific to the Indian diaspora, as highlighted by Hooda and various organizations from regions like Kerala and Punjab. Currently, NRIs are considered as 'overseas electors' and do not have voting rights from abroad, but Hooda argues that they deserve to be included in Parliament as the diaspora grows in numbers. However, the issue of proxy voting for NRIs has not been resolved since a 2018 bill lapsed.
Conservative MP Bob Blackman has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons to mark the 35th anniversary of the coordinated attacks on the minority Hindu population of Kashmir valley. The motion condemns the atrocities committed against the Kashmiri Pandit community and calls on the UK and Indian governments to recognize and acknowledge the genocide. It also urges the UK government to commemorate January 19 as Kashmiri Pandit Exodus Day. The motion has no supporting signatures as of now, making the first six MPs supporting the motion its sponsors.
The Maha Kumbh 2025, the largest religious gathering in the world, officially began on Monday with millions of devotees gathering in Prayagraj for the first 'Amrit Snan' of the event. Among the many seers and sadhus taking part, foreign devotees also added to the colorful festivities by immersing themselves in the sacred tradition and singing bhajans. This year's Maha Kumbh is expected to bring over 40 crore people to Prayagraj, making it larger than the combined population of the US and Russia.
On the special occasion of National Youth Day, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed his best wishes to the young population of the state. He paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda's legacy and how his teachings continue to inspire generations. Reddy urged the youth to draw inspiration from Vivekananda's message of self-confidence and determination, and work towards building a stronger and more progressive nation.