Author: Deshwale National Desk

Southern Indian leaders are urging families to have more children to maintain political clout. This comes as India plans to redraw constituency boundaries based on the 2021 census. Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has called on couples to procreate to avoid losing parliamentary seats to the more populous northern states. He fears that without action, the south’s political influence will wane. Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, echoes this sentiment. He now supports population growth, seeing it as a national advantage. Naidu believes that managing India’s demographic dividend is crucial for the country’s future. These appeals mark a…

Mumbai is facing an early summer heatwave. The city’s temperature recently hit 37-38°C, making it one of the hottest days in February. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning, predicting sweltering days ahead. IMD Warns of Rising Heat IMD officials reported that Mumbai’s temperature was nearly 5°C above normal. They attributed the spike in daytime temperatures to strong easterly winds. The IMD has warned that the hot spell may continue for the next few days. “Temperatures are unusually high for this time of the year. Hot conditions will persist,” an IMD official stated. What’s Causing the Heat? IMD…

India continues to make strides towards gender equality and women empowerment in 2025. As the world marks International Women’s Day, India reflects on its efforts in ensuring equal rights, opportunities, and leadership roles for women. From education to digital inclusion, major government initiatives are shaping a more inclusive future. Education and Skill Development Education remains the cornerstone of women empowerment. India has witnessed a sharp rise in female enrolment in higher education. Since 2017-18, the female Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has surpassed that of males, reaching nearly 50% of total enrolment. Health and Well-being Maternal and child healthcare have improved…

India has announced the establishment of a second National Gene Bank, a significant step toward preserving genetic resources and ensuring future food security. The initiative aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and safeguard agricultural resilience against climate change and other challenges. Preserving Agricultural Biodiversity The new National Gene Bank will house one million germplasm lines, significantly enhancing the country’s ability to conserve plant genetic resources. With over 811 cultivated crop species and 902 crop wild relatives, India possesses a vast genetic repository crucial for sustaining its agricultural ecosystem. This expansion aligns with global biodiversity efforts and highlights India’s commitment to sustainable…

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 12.9 km ropeway project connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. This initiative, part of the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana, aims to enhance connectivity for pilgrims visiting the sacred Kedarnath temple. The project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, with an estimated cost of ₹4,081.28 crore. Utilising advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, the ropeway is designed to transport 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction, accommodating up to 18,000 passengers daily. Currently, pilgrims undertake…

India’s tribal communities, constituting 8.6% of the population, have long been custodians of rich cultural heritage. To uplift these communities, the Government of India has increased the budget for Scheduled Tribes’ development by 45.79% from 2024-25 to 2025-26. Empowering Through Van Dhan Yojana Launched on 14 April 2018, the Van Dhan Yojana transforms tribal gatherers into entrepreneurs. Under TRIFED’s guidance, over 11.83 lakh tribal individuals have benefited, with ₹587 crores allocated to the scheme. The initiative establishes Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKCs), where Self-Help Groups (SHGs) engage in the collection, value addition, and marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP). Each…

New SUV Variant Offers More Power and Control Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the manual transmission (MT) variant of its premium SUV, the Toyota Legender 4X4. The new version aims to offer enhanced driving engagement, blending power, luxury, and advanced technology. More Power, More Control The Legender 4X4 MT comes with a 2.8L diesel engine. It delivers 204 PS power and 420 Nm torque, ensuring a powerful driving experience. The 6-speed manual transmission allows for precise control, making off-road adventures smoother. Toyota’s 4X4 technology boosts its terrain-handling capabilities. Whether on highways or rugged landscapes, the Legender 4X4 MT promises a…

છત્રપતિ શિવાજી મહારાજનાં રાજ્યાભિષેકને ૩૫૦ વર્ષ પુર્ણ થયાના અવસરે અને પૂણ્યશ્લોક અહલ્યાબાઈ હોળકરની ૩૦૦મી જયંતિ પ્રસંગે નાસિકમાં આગામી સાતથી નવમી માર્ચ દરમિયાન રાજ્યસ્તરીય ક્રીડા મહોત્સવ યોજાશે. જેનું આઠમી માર્ચે મહિલાદિનનાં અવસરે રાજ્યનાં કેબિનેટ મંત્રીઓ મંગલપ્રભાત લોઢા અને ગિરીશ મહાજન ઉદ્ઘાટન કરશે. આ ખેલ મહોત્સવમાં ક્રિકેટ અને વોલીબોલ સહિતની ૧૧ જેટલી આધુનિક રમતો ઉપરાંત લેઝીમ, કબડ્ડી, ખો-ખો, ટગ ઓફ વોર, લગોરી, લંગડી, દોરડા કૂદ, પંજાની લડાઈ જેવી ૧૩ જેટલી પરંપરાગત રમતોનો પણ સમાવેશ કરવામાં આવ્યો છે. રાજ્યનાં કૌશલ્ય વિકાસ મંત્રી મંગલ પ્રભાત લોઢાની પહેલથી આ ખેલ મહોત્સવનું આયોજન કરવામાં આવ્યું છે. આ ક્રીડા મહાકૂંભનું ઉદ્ઘાટન આઠમી માર્ચે સવારે નવ કલાકે પંચવટી-નાસિક સ્થિત સ્વ.મીનાતાઈ ઠાકરે વિભાગીય ક્રીડા સંકૂલ ખાતે થશે. વ્યવસાયિક શિક્ષણ…

More Than 14 Kg Gold Seized at Bengaluru Airport A Kannada actress was arrested for smuggling more than 14 kg of gold at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted her after she arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight. Officials seized gold worth Rs. 12.56 crore from her. Frequent Dubai Trips Raised Suspicion DRI had been monitoring her due to her frequent Dubai visits. She had travelled four times in the last 15 days. Acting on intelligence, officers stopped her upon arrival. She had concealed gold bars in her clothing and wore gold jewelry to…

A national workshop on Capacity Building in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS): Documentation, Validation, and Communication took place at DDGD Vaishnav College, Chennai. The event was jointly organised by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) and DDGD Vaishnav College. It aimed to help faculty, scientists, and science communicators understand IKS documentation and validation. Experts Discuss India’s Intellectual Traditions The workshop opened with a keynote speech by theoretical physicist M D Srinivas. He spoke on India’s intellectual traditions and the relevance of IKS in modern science. He stressed the need for collaboration to merge ancient wisdom with contemporary advancements.…