As Delhi University prepares to name one of its upcoming colleges after Veer Savarkar, the Congress party's student wing has raised objections and demanded that it be named after former PM Manmohan Singh instead. The decision has sparked a political row, with the Congress citing Savarkar's controversial past and allegations of collaboration. Meanwhile, the BJP has defended the decision, stating that Savarkar was a freedom fighter and welcoming the move to honor him. The upcoming college will be constructed in Najafgarh and is part of a larger effort to establish three new colleges in Delhi.
As the clock struck midnight across time zones, people around the world welcomed the arrival of 2025 with dazzling fireworks and celebrations. From Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand to Australia's iconic Sydney Opera House, thousands of citizens gathered to witness the stunning displays. In India, over 140 crore people joined in the jubilations, bidding farewell to 2024 and welcoming the new year with fireworks. Visuals from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major cities captured the joy and excitement of the moment.
From cities like Auckland and Sydney to regions like the South Pacific, communities across the world marked the start of 2025 with grand light shows, joyous embraces, and daring ice plunges. Amidst the festivities, some countries also took symbolic steps towards acknowledging and honoring their Indigenous populations. However, conflict in the Middle East, Sudan, and Ukraine served as a stark reminder of the challenges that continue to plague certain parts of the world. Despite these somber moments, the overwhelming mood was one of excitement and optimism as people welcomed the new year with open arms and dazzling fireworks displays.
In a proposal for revamping the civil services, Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy suggests recruiting IAS and IPS officers from business schools rather than relying solely on UPSC exams. The move is aimed at bringing in a modern and business-oriented approach to governance. However, the proposal has sparked a debate among experts and civil servants alike, with some welcoming the idea while others voicing concerns about the impact on the diversity and inclusivity of the services.
The Warrnambool Moyne and District Cricket Association is welcoming back English import Jack Burnham for another season with the Northern Raiders. The talented top-order batter dominated the 2022-23 campaign before a broken leg ended his season early, and he is now ready to continue his success in the upcoming premier division opening round clash. With a strong record of 930 runs and three centuries in all formats, Burnham's return is a major boost for the Raiders and their hopes for a successful season ahead.
The ancient practice of feng shui offers valuable tips for a prosperous Diwali celebration. From decluttering and cleaning your home to lighting diyas and incorporating auspicious colors, these feng shui techniques can bring in positive energy and blessings of wealth and prosperity into your home. So, follow these simple tips to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for a joyous Diwali celebration.
The Little Amal puppet, depicting a 10-year-old Syrian refugee, arrived in Hull as part of its global tour to raise awareness of the struggles of child refugees. The visit to Pearson Park, as part of the Yorkshire Integration Festival, comes just weeks after a targeted attack on a hotel housing refugees. Hull City Council leader Mike Ross sees the puppet's visit as a positive message of hope and compassion, reminding the city of its welcoming and friendly nature. Director of the Little Amal project, Tracey Seaward, hopes the visit will bring attention to the issue and dispel negative views on refugees.
In a major development for the Congress party, star wrestlers and renowned Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the party during a press event at the AICC headquarters in Delhi. The heavyweight announcement was made in the presence of key Congress figures, who expressed their pride and enthusiasm in welcoming the athletes into their ranks. This move comes after the grapplers met with Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi, sparking speculation of their entry into politics and potential contesting in the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls.
Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, a leading voice for women's rights and a founding member of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), has criticized the collective resignation of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) committee. In an interview with journalist Barkha Dutt, Parvathy questioned the decision and called it a cop-out. She also raised important questions about the committee's past actions, including welcoming a prime accused of sexual assault back into the fold, and expressed frustration at the burden placed on women to speak out and seek justice in such cases. The collective resignation by the committee, including former president Mohanlal, comes amidst a series of allegations of sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington DC to discuss ongoing defence collaboration projects and potential areas for future cooperation between India and the United States. The meeting also covered geopolitical developments and regional security issues. Additionally, Singh met with US counterpart Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon to advance priority co-production projects, and participated in a round-table with US defence and technology companies to highlight India's welcoming environment for investment and technology collaborations.