Major News and Events of 25 December 2015

While on way back from Russia-visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a scheduled stopover at Afghanistan and addressed (along with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani) a joint session of both the Afghan houses in the new parliament building. PM Modi remembered the joint dream of ex-PM of India AB Vajpayee and then Afghan President Hamid Karzai of building the new Parliament house in Afghanistan. PM remembered the ancient ties between the two countries and announced 500 scholarships in addition to the ongoing 1,000 ones to the children of the martyr security force personnel of Afghan. PM Modi said that the terror-torn country will succeed only when the sanctuaries of terrorism are shut and no cross-border terrorism takes place. Modi, on his way back from Afghanistan, visited Pakistan to greet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia, bilateral relationship between the two countries took a great leap when 16 agreements were signed. Russia announced manufacturing attack chopper Kamov-226 along with BrahMos missiles in India and building up of 6 new nuclear power plants over a period of 20 years in India. PM Modi reasserted Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia is a “strong and reliable” friend of India. PM also recognized the strong understanding the two countries share in BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, G20, and East Asia Summit. Vladimir Putin called India a “deserving and strong candidate” for UN Security Council and conveyed Russia’s strong support for India’s bid to get a permanent membership.

Reports show that fund flow to the IPO (Indian Initial Public Offer) market has spiked up in 2015 as 21 companies have floated their IPOs, garnering Rs. 13,600 crore in total. It is also learnt that new IPOs amounting to a whooping Rs. 14,000 crore is also in the final phase of entering the market. Experts say that IPOs amounting to Rs. 50,000 crore are already in the pipeline to hit the Dalal Street. Analysts are upbeat about the increasing depth of the IPO market because of the diverse sectoral composition (airlines, electronics, pharma, logistics, QSRs, and renewable energy) in which IPOs are being floated in 2015.

An official statement says that Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai has launched 6 public transport DTC buses that come with free WiFi services. Reports say that these public transport vehicles, launched by the Delhi government, will also have closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) along with Global Positioning System (GPS) for ensuring safety for women. The launch took place at Delhi Secretariat. Reports say that details of the Wi-Fi can be obtained at back of the seats of these buses. A trial period, till January 15, has been scheduled in selected routes where free Wi-Fi can be accessed by each commuter for 10 minutes.

BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) have decided to resume cricketing ties between the two countries after a yearlong impasse between the two cricket boards. It has been decided that West Indies will play against India during mid-2016 in the Caribbean islands. Reports say that during July-August 2016, 4 test matches will be played between the two countries. This news was confirmed through a media release by WICB president, Dave Cameron. In October 2014, WICB pulled out of India-West Indies series, scheduled for play in India, over pay dispute with BCCI.

At a time when DDCA scam issue is rocking the Indian political landscape and suspension of BJP MP Kirti Azad creating ripples within BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at his detractors as well as opposition parties while addressing around 3,000 strong audience in 'Friends of India' event in Moscow, during his Russia visit. He said there are many who only cry about problems but his government is among those who try to find solutions out of them. PM Modi’s remarks came at a time when opposition parties stalled important reforms bill in the parliament during the just concluded winter session.

An Indian textile firm named Pratibha Syntex Ltd. has agreed to pay a penalty of USD 100,000 i.e. Rs 66 lakh for using a pirated software. Having shown its willingness to pay USD 100,000 within 30 days, the textile firm had filed for a settlement in the Los Angeles Superior Court.