Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh who is currently in exile in India, has publicly condemned interim government chief Muhammad Yunus for unleashing "terrorists" and creating an environment of "lawlessness" in the country. In response, the Yunus-led interim government has reaffirmed its commitment to extradite Hasina from India, while she continues to seek justice for the widows of police officers killed during a student uprising in 2024. This ongoing tension between the two leaders highlights the ongoing political strife in Bangladesh.
In a swift move, the President appointed Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner of India, along with the appointment of Haryana Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi as the Election Commissioner. The decision was made after a meeting between the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, who expressed disapproval and gave a dissent note. This is the first time the appointment was made under the new CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023, which was implemented based on a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 to establish a Selection Committee for the appointment process. However, the Opposition has challenged the new law in the court and the next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
India pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, marking the day he was assassinated in 1948 while on his way to a prayer meeting. This day is observed as Martyrs' Day to honor all those who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pay their respects to Gandhi's legacy and the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and citizens for India's sovereignty. Gandhi's ideals of truth and non-violence continue to inspire efforts towards building a developed India and promoting global movements for justice, peace, and human rights.
As India celebrates its Republic Day, it is important to understand the significance of the day and why the Indian flag is unfurled instead of hoisted. The theme for this year's celebration is "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas" (Golden India: Legacy and Progress). Students can use this opportunity to honor the country's rich culture and progress while paying tribute to the men and women who fought for India's freedom. Further, Prime Minister Modi has extended his greetings to the nation and it is a time for all Indians to reflect on the country's growth and development since the adoption of the constitution in 1950.
With the announcement of the Bharat Ratna award, considered the Jewel of India, close at hand, the air is rife with speculation on who the deserving recipients this year will be. In this annual tradition on the eve of Republic Day, names like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, industrialist Ratan Tata, and late Balasaheb Thackeray are being tossed around, along with others like Nitish Kumar, Naveen Patnaik, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and Jyotiba Phule. Instituted in 1954, this prestigious award is given to individuals for their extraordinary contributions, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender, and is shaped like a platinum-rimmed peepal leaf with the words "Satyameva Jayate" on its reverse side.
In his first festive message since being elected British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer expresses his wish for peace in the Middle East, which is the birthplace of the Christmas story. He encourages people to "look after those around us" and extends his gratitude to the armed forces and frontline workers who will be helping people during the holiday season. The celebrations also hold immense religious and spiritual importance for Christians across India, as well as other communities, and the diverse culinary landscape offers a delightful array of Christmas treats.
The Indian cricket team paid a courtesy visit to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before their upcoming pink ball match against the PM’s XI. The PM praised star players Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, who were instrumental in India's dominant victory in the first Test against Australia. With a massive 295-run win, India has taken the lead in the five-Test series and climbed back to the top of the World Test Championship standings. Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma is ready to lead the team in the next Day/Night match in Adelaide.
The city of Vadodara in Gujarat, India is gearing up for the visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez who is set to arrive on Sunday evening. In anticipation of his arrival, the Vadodara City Police have issued a notification stating the closure of 33 roads and diversion of traffic in the areas surrounding the airport, where Sánchez will be staying at ITC Welcomhotel. The city has been turned into a fortress with heavy VVIP movement expected, including the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Strict restrictions on road travel will be in place from the night of Sunday until the end of the events on Monday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced harsh criticism from BJP leaders for his statement on the lack of representation of lower caste, OBCs, and tribals in prominent sectors. While addressing a conference, he had claimed that 90% of the population is not represented in areas such as Miss India competitions, films, and sports. This remark was met with backlash from Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who advised Gandhi to do a fact-check and reminded him of the presence of lower caste community members in prominent positions such as President and Prime Minister.
Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, chaired a meeting to assess the country's readiness for combating the contagious disease Mpox. The World Health Organization has declared Mpox as a global Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and the meeting discussed preventive measures and awareness campaigns to be taken up. Although there have been 30 reported cases in India since the WHO declaration in 2022, the current risk of a large outbreak is low.