MyIndia News This Week (August 10 to August 16)

MyIndia News This Week (Aug 10 to Aug 16)
MyIndia Newsletter of the Week - Latest and popular stories which made headlines this week
MyIndia News This Week (Aug 10 to Aug 16)
MyIndia Newsletter of the Week – Latest and popular stories which made headlines this week

Modi’s speech on Independence Day inspires confidence

India celebrated its 73rd Independence Day with enthusiasm. People were glued to their TV sets to watch Red Fort, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation. The PM talked extensively regarding the forthcoming plans of the government and assured the countrymen that there is nothing to worry. He announced many schemes which would be beneficial for all sections of the society.

Read More: Modi’s Independence Day Speech a Vision for Great India

Jaishankar meets Chinese counterpart

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his counterpart Wang Yi on Monday and talked about regional and global issues of mutual interest. Jaishankar emphasised on the importance of the Sino-Indo relationship. He also stressed that stability is the need of the hour when uncertainty is going on all over the world. The minister cleared the air that scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories are internal matters of India.

Facial ID system introduced near Red Fort

Delhi Police had beefed up their security arrangement on this year’s Independence Day. The police used a facial recognition software to identify any suspects around the Red Fort as a security measure. The software of the CCTVs was strong enough to identify the face of the suspects in a crowd and alert the security men to take action against the guilty party.

Read More: Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS): Benefits & Concerns in India

Army plans to trim 27,000 from non-core units

The Indian army has been planning to cut its manpower by around 27,000 soldiers in organisations which do not form part of its regular field formations and units. At present, 1.75 lakh soldiers belong to different organisations like the Territorial Army and Sainik Schools to the operationally-crucial Assam Rifles, Rashtriya Rifles and Strategic Forces Command, all of which are not the part of the regular standing army.

Saudi Aramco invests $15 billion to get 20% stake in RIL refining

Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s oil giant, the leading and most profitable oil producer company in the world, inked an agreement with Reliance Industries Limited on Monday, August 12. Saudi Aramco is set to invest $15 billion to acquire 20 percent in Reliance’s oil refining unit. The Saudi behemoth is set to invest heavily in refining and petrochemicals for securing new markets. The deal is being regarded as beneficial for both Aramco and RIL shareholders.

Another Aishwarya creates history

Aishwarya Pissay, the Bengaluru based biker, became the first Indian ever to claim a world title in motorsport. The 23 year old Aishwarya bagged the FIM World Cup in the women’s category after the final round of championship in Varpalota, Hungary on Monday, August 12. This victory is special for her because she bounced back after several major injuries. For instance, a couple of years ago her collarbone was damaged in an accident. Doctors inserted steel plates to fix her collarbone. In 2018, Aishwarya’s pancreas was damaged in Spain due to a crash. She did not lose heart and kept going to fulfil her dream and mission. In the end she succeeded.

Indo-Pak bus service suspended amid tension

Tension between India and Pakistan is palpably increasing, after the >scrapping of Article 370 by India. As a result, the train services of Samjhauta Express between the two neighbouring countries were suspended. Now, it seems time has come to scrap the bus service between the two nations. A DTC bus service scheduled to leave for Lahore from New Delhi was also discontinued after a phone call by Pakistani authorities. The bus service was started two decades ago in 1999 to increase friendship and cooperation.

CBSE scraps subsidy for Board exams

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to end subsidy and charge more fees for conducting class X and XII Board exams. CBSE now can’t subsidise theses exams because the source of its revenue is over. Exams like JEE (Main), NEET, and UGC-NET were handled by the CBSE, which was a major source of income. These exams have now been moved to the National Testing Agency.

CBSE makes assessment test easier

CBSE has taken a decision to make the internal assessment for classes IX and X easier from this academic session. The timing of the assessment test would be an hour for 20 marks. Earlier the test was of three hours for 80 marks. Marks of the best two tests will be taken for a weightage of 5 marks each during the internal assessment.

Mahavir Phogat, Babita coloured in saffron

It is now the turn of Mahavir Phogat, Haryana wrestler and Dronacharya awardee, to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Apart from him, his daughter Babita Phogat also entered the BJP fold on Monday. The father-daughter duo, made famous by Amir Khan movie ‘Dangal’, joined the party in the presence of party’s working chief JP Nadda. Some senior party leaders were also present on this occasion.

Developer’s fault, residents suffer

Recently, notice sent by the Union Bank of India has shocked more than 200 families living in a Noida Housing Society since 2015. The bank served the notice to the residents of Gardenia Gateway in sector 75 on August 5. The Union Bank of India has asked these residents to vacate their respective houses by August 20 this year.

It has been mentioned in the notice that the developer of this society had taken a loan of Rs 78.45 crore on December 31, 2015. Since then, the developer has not made any repayment. The developer had taken the loan on the mortgage of this housing society. By law, the bank has the right to take over the property and recover the loan taken by the builder.

CBI fails to handle political cases properly: CJI

Hon’ble Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi on Tuesday said in a CBI programme that the “agency had not been able to meet the standard of judicial scrutiny” in many high profile and politically sensitive cases. CJI praised the CBI for handling the non-political cases. Gogoi was addressing DP Kohli Memorial Lecture at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, where he also presented awards to distinguished CBI personnel chosen for extraordinary performance.

10 SDF MLSs join BJP

Political turmoil has been going on in Sikkim these last few days. In a surprise development, 10 out of 13 MLSs of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) joined the BJP on Tuesday, August 13. With this development, BJP became the main opposition party in the state where it did not get even a single seat in the recent assembly elections.

DJB unearths sewer line of British Raj

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) recently unearthed a sewer line in Chandni Chowk in Delhi, dating from the British times. DJB believes that this sewer line can offer permanent solution for the water logging problems of this area.

Vehicle sales dip 19% in July

Vehicles sales in India have dipped 19% in the month of July. This is the biggest monthly drop in nearly 19 years. The biggest decline was seen in the cars and SUVs segment, where sales decreased rapidly by 31%. Auto players have responded by blaming sluggish economy and liquidity crunch for the slump. Industry executives met the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on August 7 and informed the current scenario of the industry. Executives described the current downturn as the worst slowdown in the industry’s history.

4G jammers a curse for Tihar inmates

4G jammers have been fitted inside the famous Tihar jail in Delhi to end the misuse of mobile phones. This decision was taken due to the rampant use of cellphones by the inmates on the jail premises. Earlier this year, a prisoner Rahul Kala made a video call to a businessman from Rohini and demanded Rs 50 lakhs. Later, the police traced the call and busted the case. It has been also found that some criminals were availing the facility of WiFi inside the jail premises to make calls. Sandeep Goel, the new Director General (Prison) who took the charge last month was responsible for installing the 4G jammers to stop illegal mobile use in the jail.

Punjab boils on Delhi temple demolition

A massive protest and strike was seen on Tuesday, August 13, by the Dalit groups in Punjab. They were agitating against the demolition of Guru Ravidas temple in Delhi’s Tughlaqabad area. It was removed as per the order of Supreme Court. Due to bandh, traffic was badly affected owing to blockade of roads by protesters. The busy Jalandhar-Delhi highway was also severely hit, causing huge traffic jams. Markets and educational institutions remained closed in many cities. The maximum effect was seen in Doaba, where large number of followers of Sant Ravidas are found. Meanwhile, disciples of Ravidas are mulling to launch a bigger movement. Union Minister of Housing, Hardeep Singh Puri, assured on Tuesday, August 13, that the government is ready to find peaceful solution to the problem created by the demolition.

DTTDC plans to make Delhi film shooting destination

Tourism department of Delhi government has decided to make Delhi as a major film shooting hub for both Indian and international movies. Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) has been planning to hire a consultant to draft the policy by the end of this year. At present, filmmakers have to pass through 17 different windows to get permission. The official said there would be a single window to get all permissions in the future.

President and others visit Jaitley at AIIMS

Former Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitely’s condition is still critical and he was put on life support machine by Friday, August 9 afternoon. Jaitley was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey visited AIIMS on Friday morning to know about the condition of Arun Jaitely. A team of multidisciplinary doctors are supervising his health round the clock. According to doctors, “he is haemodynamically stable”.

UNSC to hold closed door talk on Kashmir

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has decided to hold a closed door meeting on India’s decision on scrapping Article 370. The decision was taken after Islamabad’s close ally China’s submission of closed door meeting with the UNSC

Read More: Jammu and Kashmir: The Unfolding Situation

Selection of coaches for Team India starts

How difficult is it to become the coach of Indian cricket team? The three member cricket advisory committee comprising Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and noted female player of her time Shantha Rangaswamy, has started taking interviews of the shortlisted candidates at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. But the present coach of team India Ravi Shastri is the frontrunner to get an extension. He is well backed up by captain Virat Kohli.

Kohli first batsman to score 20,000 runs in 10 years

It seems records are chasing Virat Kohli. The Indian batsman has achieved another milestone in his cricketing career. He became the first batsman on this planet who has scored 20,000 international runs in all formats in a decade. Kohli has aggregated total of 20, 502 runs. His other competitors are far behind him. This incredible performance of course is a reflection of his greatness.

President, PM & others pay tribute to Vajpayee

The nation paid tribute to the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his first death anniversary on Friday, August 16. He died on that day in 2018, at the age of 93. A floral tribute was paid to the departed soul by the President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and others at Sadaiv Atal, the memorial of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Delhi.

CJI slams petitioner over challenge to Article 370

CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Friday has slammed the petitioner ML Sharma over the challenge to the Centre’s decision to scrap the provision of Article 370. The CJI made it clear that the petition was meaningless. He further said that he went through the petition on Article 370 for 30 minutes but could not make out anything. “What kind of petition is this? It could have been dismissed but there are 5 other pleas with registry,” the Supreme Court said.

Jaishankar & Sullivan hold discussion in Delhi

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and visiting US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan on Friday sat down and talked about the deep convergences of the strategic relationship shared between New Delhi and Washington. The talks took place amid US stand that its policy on Kashmir will not change. Sullivan is on a two-nation tour of Bhutan and India from August 11-17 to advance Washington’s partnership with both the countries.

Mayawati blames Congress for culprits’ acquittal

BSP chief Mayawati on Friday accused the ruling Congress government in Rajasthan of showing laxity in Pehlu Khan lynching case. She said all the accused in the Pehlu Khan mob lynching case were acquitted due to the ruling party’s “gross negligence”. An Alwar court on Wednesday, August 14, gave clean chit to all the six culprits. “This is most unfortunate,” she said.

India ready to change its nuclear policy: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday announced that the cornerstone of India’s nuclear policy is “No First Use” for decades. The government is firm on this policy. But he added that: “what happens in the future will depend on the circumstances”. He was speaking in Pokhran in Rajasthan where India has already conducted two nuclear tests.

PM discusses sluggish economy with FinMin

PM Narendra Modi on Thursday, August 15, reviewed and discussed the economy of the country with the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The major concern of the government is the fast spreading slowdown that has been afflicting numerous sectors, which is responsible for extensive job losses. The review took place at PM Modi’s residence after the Independence Day function. Apart from the Finance Minister, top officials of her ministry also attended the meeting.

Triple talaq petitioner ties Rakhi to PM Modi

Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan tied a Rakhi on the wrist of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, August 15 on the occasion of ‘Raksha Bandhan’. Jahan belongs to Howrah and is the mother of two grown up children. She was one of the five petitioners in the apex court against instant triple talaq. She moved the court when her husband divorced her over phone from Dubai in 2014, by saying talaq three times in one sitting.

Bollywood actor Vidya Sinha no more

Vidya Sinha, the sombre actress of the 70s and 80s era, passed away on Thursday. She was 71. She was known for her films like ‘Rajnigandha’ (1974), ‘Chhoti Si Baat’ (1975) and ‘Pati Patni Aur Who’ (1978). As a model, she also won the Miss Bombay title. The veteran actress was last seen on the small screen in ‘Kulfi Kumar Bajewala’.

Business News

Friday closing rates-

Sensex: 37, 350.33
NIFTY 50: 11,047.80
Gold: ₹38,420 per 10 grams
USD/ INR: 71.22