THE HINDU- 23RD FEB

SC refuses to stay EC order giving Sena name to Shinde 

Summary:

The Indian Supreme Court has declined a plea by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to stay an Election Commission order that allotted the 'Shiv Sena' party name and its bow-and-arrow symbol to his rival and incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The court, however, retained the Election Commission (EC) direction allowing the Thackeray faction to keep the name 'Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)' and the flaming torch symbol for upcoming byelections in the Chinchwad and Kasaba Peth constituencies. The Supreme Court gave two weeks for Mr. Shinde and the EC to file their responses to Mr. Thackeray's challenge to the February 17 order.

 

India remains a ‘bright spot’, to contribute 15% of global growth in 2023: IMF

Summary:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has stated that India will alone contribute 15% of the global growth in 2023, making it a "bright spot" in the world economy. India's digitalisation and prudent fiscal policy pulled the country out of pandemic lows, and significant financing for capital investments provided in the next year's budget will help sustain the growth momentum. India is projected to retain a high growth rate of 6.8% for the year that ends in March, and for FY 2023/24, a bit of slowdown is projected like the rest of the world economy but way above the global average. According to Georgieva, India's green economy and renewables have the potential to shift the country towards clean energy while keeping growth going.

 

Midnight madness sweeps MCD House

Summary:

A violent brawl broke out between members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) inside the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House following the election of the Standing Committee members. The councillors threw water bottles at each other after the BJP objected to AAP members carrying their mobile phones inside the voting booth. The BJP demanded a fresh vote since 45 votes were already cast. The MCD Mayor adjourned the House for an hour, and it reconvened past midnight. The Election Commission had recently stated that voters could carry their mobile phones with them when casting their ballot.

 

Uttar Pradesh targets $1 trillion economy with its biggest-ever budget 

Summary:

The Uttar Pradesh government has presented a budget of ₹6.90 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2023-24, the largest in the state's history, with a focus on making the state self-reliant and a ₹1 trillion economy. The budget includes allocations for pension schemes, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and women's welfare. The Chief Minister called it a significant step towards building a self-reliant state and fulfilling the promises made in the BJP manifesto. The opposition parties criticized the budget as directionless and failing to provide a roadmap for the state.

 

Protect the power of ‘the little man’ in a democracy

Summary:

The article highlights the deep-rooted contradictions in India despite the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Independence and the founding of the Republic. It points out the issues such as poverty, inequality, and religious and caste-based polarization that affect the country. The ruling party's constant targeting of the opposition, verbal attacks, political destabilization, and use of central agencies to bring down the opposition-led governments is a cause of concern. The article emphasizes the need for the judiciary to protect the power of the "little man" in democracy and innovate to stop the luring of elected MLAs. The article concludes with the failure of the constitutional and administrative authorities to work as per the letter and spirit of the Constitution, which reflects how undemocratic India is.

 

As the war in Ukraine seems endless, talks are the only way out

Summary:

The article discusses the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has entered its second year. Both sides have mobilized their forces and are preparing for a potential spring offensive. The West, including the US, is sending military aid to Ukraine while Russia has suspended its participation in the New START treaty. The war has been disastrous for all parties, with Ukraine suffering huge human and material costs and Russia losing international ties. However, despite the setbacks, neither side is willing to negotiate. A long war would be catastrophic for Ukraine, and the risks of a Russia-NATO direct conflict would be higher. The article concludes that ending the war is imperative for global security and safety and that both sides should prepare for an eventual settlement and begin talking to each other as soon as possible.

 

India can become a biodiversity champion

Summary:

India has pledged to conserve 30% of its land and oceans by 2030 in an effort to "halt and reverse" biodiversity loss, as agreed upon by 188 country representatives at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal. In response to this, India's Union Budget 2023 has prioritized "Green Growth," which includes programs to increase forest cover on degraded lands, incentivize environmentally sustainable actions, and reduce synthetic fertilizer and pesticide inputs. However, these programs must be science-based and inclusive, and should focus on ecological restoration rather than tree plantation. Site selection should also consider the diversity of species and the retention of the integrity of ecosystems, with traditional knowledge and practices of local communities integrated into implementation plans. Finally, significant educational and research funding should be included to critically appraise and bring awareness to India's biological wealth.

 

Ahmedabad, a city which has seen the best of times and the worst of times

Summary:

The article discusses the historical transformations and cultural changes that the Indian city of Ahmedabad has undergone since its foundation by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411. The article highlights how the city has experienced periods of growth, decay, and revival under different rulers such as the Mughals, Marathas, and British. The article also emphasizes the city's role in the Indian independence movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who established the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. However, the city has also experienced communal riots and religious tensions in recent decades.

India, China hold in-person border talks after 3 years

Summary:

Indian and Chinese officials have held talks to discuss proposals for disengagement in the remaining two friction areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which could help "restore normalcy" in relations. The discussions were led by Joint Secretary Shilpak Ambule and Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry. Both sides reviewed the situation along the LAC, exchanged views on the next stage of talks and discussed measures to ease the situation in border areas. They also agreed to hold the 18th round of talks between senior military commanders at an early date.\

 

‘Dickinsonia fossil’ found in Bhimbetka is old beehive

Summary:

The discovery of what was thought to be a 44-cm-wide fossil of Dickinsonia, an animal that lived at least 538 million years ago, at India's Bhimbetka Rock Shelters in 2021 has been discredited. Researchers found that the apparent fossil was actually wax smeared on a rock by a beehive, after closer inspection of the site. Lead author of the February 2021 paper, Gregory Retallack, plans to correct the paper. The discovery of the fossils had suggested that the youngest Upper Vindhyan sediments were 540 million years old, but with the findings discredited, the age remains contested.

 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

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