India News Highlights: 'Chandrayaan-3 equipped in every way, will land successfully...’: says space scientist

Air India LIVE Updates

Air India partners AccessRail for seamless intermodal travel to 100+ cities in Europe

By entering into an intermodal interline agreement with AccesRail, Air India has taken a step towards improving connection choices for its customers across Europe.

This collaboration promises to make it easier to fly to over 100 cities and towns in Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom, even if they don’t have their own airports.

Generic Drugs LIVE Updates

IMA writes to Mandaviya, seeks withdrawal of NMC regulations on mandatory prescription of generic drugs

The IMA has written to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, requesting that the National Medical Commission (NMC) restrictions on obligatory generic drug prescription be withdrawn until all medicines are quality assured.

The physicians’ organisation also raised worry about restrictions that ban doctors from attending conferences funded by pharmaceutical corporations, saying such a prohibition should be reconsidered. It asked that organisations and groups be spared from NMC restrictions.

Members of the Indian Medical Association and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance met with Mandaviya on Monday to convey their concerns about the NMC regulations.

Chattishgarh LIVE Updates

Chattishgarh-based Coal India subsidiary to provide free medical coaching to children

SECL, a Coal India Subsidiary situated in Chhattisgarh, would give free residential medical coaching to Class 12 students, the Ministry of Coal stated on Tuesday.

Students will be chosen for coaching through a competitive test based on the same structure as NEET. In collaboration with a private coaching facility in Bilaspur, the curriculum would give tutoring to a total of 35 pupils.

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

People offer namaz for Chandrayaan-3’s successful lunar landing

West Bengal LIVE Updates

JU student death case:  Case filed on complaint by Suvendu Adhikari, says Kolkata Police

On Tuesday, Kolkata Police said it has opened an investigation into a student death at Jadavpur University after receiving a complaint from West Bengal Assembly Leader Suvendu Adhikari.

The complaint was submitted at Kolkata’s Jadavpur police station.

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

No bigger statement of India’s remarkable success, says High Commissioner of India to UK

Madhya Pradesh LIVE Updates

Congress promises Rs 500 LPG; free electricity to 100 units, and more, says INC President Mallikarjun Kharge

West Bengal LIVE Updates

BJP terms Jadavpur University as ‘hub of anti-national elements’

BJP MLAs walked out of the West Bengal assembly on Tuesday in protest of the death of a first-year student at Jadavpur University who was allegedly ragged and sexually harassed, claiming that the varsity campus has become a “hub of anti-national elements” and that only an NIA probe can reveal the truth.

The BJP parliamentary party requested a response from Education Minister Bratya Basu after introducing an adjournment motion on the subject.

“What action has the state government taken to control the situation at JU and to break the nexus of anti-national elements and drugs at JU?” Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari asked.

Karnataka LIVE Updates

Actor Prakash Raj booked in Karnataka for mocking Chandrayaan-3

Police reported on Tuesday that actor Prakash Raj was arrested at a police station in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district for allegedly mocking India’s planned third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3.

“A complaint has been filed against actor Prakash Raj for his post on the Chandrayaan-3 mission,” police said.

BRICS Summit LIVE Updates

Digital screens showing PM Modi in Johannesburg

Digital displays featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been installed near the Convention Centre in Johannesburg, where the BRICS Summit begins today. Around ten of these displays may be seen across Johannesburg.

Supreme Court LIVE Updates

SC sets aside Kerala HC order suspending the trial court conviction of Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal

The Supreme Court overturns a Kerala High Court ruling suspending Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal’s trial court conviction and orders the High Court to hear the case anew in six weeks.

Congress LIVE Updates

Punjab Congress protests in Mohali, against State Government

Chandrayaan-3  LIVE Updates

Chandrayaan-3 equipped in every way…’: Space scientist hopes for success of India’s third lunar mission

Asserting that the lander and rover of India’s third lunar mission were designed in response to the failure of Chandrayaan-2, former Professor of Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) RC Kapoor stated on Tuesday that the Chandrayaan-3 is fully equipped and will land successfully as planned.

The space scientist and astronomer told ANI that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has learned from the failure of the Chandrayaan-2 project, which was launched in 2019.

Finance Ministry LIVE Updates

Price pressure in food items to be transitory; global uncertainty, domestic disruption to keep inflation elevated: FinMin

According to the finance ministry, food inflation is likely to be transitory due to preemptive government measures and the arrival of fresh crops, even though global uncertainty and domestic disruptions may keep inflationary pressures elevated in the coming months.

According to the Ministry of Finance’s Monthly Economic Review for July, while domestic consumption and investment demand are likely to continue driving development, the government’s increased provision for capital spending in the current fiscal year is currently crowding out private investment.

Delhi Crime LIVE Updates

Panic attacks, counselling, & more: How Delhi teen’s rape by government officer was exposed

In the year 2020, a 14-year-old girl moved into the house of her father’s friend after he was killed in an accident.

Premoday Khakha, the friend and a senior officer in the Women and Child Development (WCD) division of the Delhi government, has now been arrested for allegedly raping the minor girl while she was there and for getting her pregnant.

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Maharashtra LIVE Updates

Additional 2 lakh tonne onion procurement from farmers starts in Maharashtra

The national government has begun purchasing an additional 2 lakh tonnes of onion from Maharashtra farmers. Farmers in Maharashtra protested the government’s intention to apply a 40% export tariff on the sale of onions, prompting the decision to purchase additional supplies. The acquisition was announced during a meeting in Delhi between Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde.

“The central government always works in the best interest of farmers and buys their produce from time to time… NCCF and NAFED on the direction of central government had procured 3 lakh tonne onions from various parts of Maharashtra, which in the process increased the prices. To create a balance between farmers and consumers, the government has imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onion. This is to ensure domestic availability,” Goyal told ANI.

Delhi Crime LIVE Updates

Police not allowing me to meet minor rape victim: DCW chief

On Tuesday, DCW leader Swati Maliwal maintained her dharna at St Stephen’s Hospital, where the underage girl allegedly raped by a Delhi government employee is being treated.

Maliwal had staged a dharna on Monday morning, saying that she had been barred from meeting the girl.

However, a police officer stated that the girl’s mother did not want to speak with anyone because the victim is still being monitored.

Karnataka LIVE Updates

Scuffle breaks out between Farmer Associations and Police in Mandya

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

Matter of pride for India, says UP Deputy CM

Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said that this was a matter of pride for India. He also added that due to the hard work of scientists, Chandrayaan-3 is in the last stage of the landing process.

He also stated that the Chandrayaan-3 will hoist the tricolour on the moon.

BRICS LIVE Updates

Africa an important partner in India’s rise as economic power: Sherpa for 15th BRICS Summit

Dammu Ravi, the Secretary of Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Sherpa for the 15th BRICS Summit, stated on Tuesday that India will soon be the world’s third biggest economy, and that Africa has been a key partner in the country’s rise to economic dominance.

“India’s rise, as Prime Minister very clearly as envisaged and envisioned, will soon be the third largest country in the world. But you also need many partners to ensure that the rise is smooth and that rise is sustainable. And Africa becomes an important partner in the rise of India,” Ravi told ANI.

PM Modi LIVE Updates

PM Modi’s Johannesburg visit will ‘boost India, South Africa economic ties’: Indian diaspora member

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Johannesburg to attend the 15th BRICS Summit, the Indian diaspora in South Africa is optimistic that his visit will “boost” bilateral business relations.

PM Modi will attend the BRICS Summit on August 22-24 at the request of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Speaking to ANI, Balvinder Singh Kandra, Head of Public Affairs Gurudwara Sahib Johannesburg, stated that the Indian diaspora is “very excited for PM Modi’s visit.”

Piyush Goyal LIVE Updates

No farmer needs to worry, says Union Minister Piyush Goyal

Maharashtra LIVE Updates

Centre to buy 2 lakh metric tons of onion at Rs 2,410 per quintal, says Maha Dy CM

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “Today, I had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Piyush Goyal from Japan. Centre has decided to purchase 2 lakh metric tons of onion. Centre has announced that for the interest of onion growers of Maharashtra, special purchase centres will be set up in Nashik and Ahmednagar.”

“Onions will be purchased at Rs 2410 per quintal here. This will be huge relief for the onion growers of our state,” he said in a tweet.

Punjab Farmers Protest LIVE Updates

Police force deployed in Sangrur around Longowal Police station

Farmers are protesting over numerous of their requests, including compensation for damaged crops, in the region of Sangrur’s Longowal Police Station.

Sangrur SP Palwinder Singh says, “They had staged a ‘dharna’ yesterday. When we spoke with them and told them not to block the main highway or toll plaza, they said that they will stage a ‘dharna’ here (near Police Station). Suddenly, they planned to move upon which concerned SHOs and DSPs spoke to them and to stay here…They didn’t listen…We are ready to talk with them. We have deployed Police force to maintain law and order, as a safety measure…We have deployed 300-350 Police personnel and also put nakabandi in place…”

India Currency LIVE Updates

Rupee rises 7 paise to 83.06 against US dollar in early trade

The rupee rebounded from all-time lows and rose by 7 paise to 83.06 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, as the American currency fell from its highs.

According to forex dealers, the rupee is trading in a narrow range due to selling pressure from overseas investors, although the weak tone in the US dollar and strong local markets buffered the fall.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the local unit started at 83.07 and reached a high of 83.06 versus the US dollar, representing a 7-paise increase over its previous level.

The rupee fell by 3 paise on Monday, settling at an all-time low of 83.13 versus the US dollar.

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

People perform puja for the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3

On 23 August, people perform havan at the Kamakhya Temple in Varanasi in preparation for the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3.

Delhi Crimes LIVE Updates

Khakha’s wife sent to judicial custody, rape accused husband to be produced today: Delhi Police

According to police, the rape-accused Delhi government worker, who reportedly sexually abused his friend’s young daughter for several months and pregnant her, will appear in court on Tuesday.

In an instance of sexual assault on a youngster, the Delhi Police detained a government employee and his wife.

The two accused have been identified as Premoday Khakha (51) and Seema Rani (50).

Sagar Singh Khalsi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), stated earlier on Monday that Khakha’s wife intimidated the victim and forced the underage victim to have an abortion.

Karnataka LIVE Updates

‘Mental slavery’: BJP’s CT Ravi hits out at Karnataka govt for scrapping NEP 2020

Bharatiya Janata Party leader CT Ravi hit out at the Congress-ruled state of Karnataka for scrapping the National Education Policy 2020, accusing the party of “having a mental slavery mindset” at the expense of the education of the youth.

The BJP leader asked the Government why is it scrapping National Education Policy, asking if the government had thoroughly studied the NEP.

Speaking to ANI, veteran BJP leader said, “What is NEP about? Is it wrong to impart education in the mother tongue? It is wrong, as per Congress, to impart education in the mother tongue. Congress is yet to come out of mental slavery mindset,” said former National General Secretary of the party.

Ladakh LIVE Updates

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi with Army veterans in Ladakh

Telangana LIVE Updates

3.6 crore voters in Telangana according to draft voter list; over 8 lakh new voters added

Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj said on Monday that the draft roster for the 2nd Special Summary Revision (SSR) had been issued in all 119 Assembly Constituencies, ahead of the 2019 Assembly elections.

According to the draught roll, the total number of voters in Telangana state is 3,06,42,333, with 1,53,73,066 male voters, 1,52,51,797 female voters, and 2,133 voters of the third gender.

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

Coimbatore based miniature artist designs a 1.5-inch tall model of Chandrayaan-3

A tiny craftsman from Coimbatore creates a 1.5-inch tall replica of Chandrayaan-3 out of 4 grammes of gold.

The Lunar Lander Vikram of Chandrayaan-3 is slated to make a soft landing on the moon on 23 August.

Mumbai LIVE Updates

Mumbai civic body seizes 87 kg of banned single use plastic, collects Rs 2.95 lakh in fines

According to an official, Mumbai’s civic authority confiscated 87 kilogrammes of single-use plastic on the first day of its campaign against the forbidden item and collected penalties of Rs 2.95 lakh.

The campaign was carried out on Monday in accordance with the environment department’s mandate, in collaboration with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and police, according to a release from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“The drive will continue in full swing. On the first day of the drive, civic teams checked 1,159 establishments and found 59 cases of violation of the notification against single use plastic. These teams seized 87 kilograms of single use plastic and collected Rs 2.95 lakh in fines. The fine is Rs 5,000 in each case,” it said.

Maharashtra LIVE Updates

It will make no difference if people don’t eat onions for 2-4 months: Maharashtra minister

In the midst of farmer and trader protests over the Centre’s plan to levy a 40 per cent export tariff on onions, Maharashtra minister Dada Bhuse said it wouldn’t matter if people didn’t eat the vital kitchen staple for two to four months.

However, the state PWD minister stated on Monday that the decision to impose export duties should have been made with sufficient collaboration.

On 19 August, the Union government slapped a 40 per cent levy on onion exports in order to control price increases and enhance supply in the home market.

Uttar Pradesh LIVE Updates

UP CM Yogi holds ‘janata darshan’ in Gorakhpur

Delhi Crime LIVE Updates

Delhi Police is indulging in hooliganism, states DCW chief Swati Maliwal

Jammu & Kashmir LIVE Updates

Infiltration bid foiled, two terrorists killed along LoC in J-K’s Balakote

Officials claimed the army killed two terrorists and prevented an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district’s Balakote sector on Monday.

According to an Indian Army statement, security personnel also found a large amount of weaponry and ammunition, including one AK-47, two magazines, 30 rounds, two hand grenades, and Pakistan-origin medication.

“Intelligence inputs received from multiple intelligence agencies and police revealed the presence of terrorists waiting across the LoC to enter from the Balakote sector. Based on these inputs, a surveillance grid was placed on heightened alert and multiple ambushes were planted at suitable locations,” it stated.

PM Modi LIVE Updates

PM Modi departs for Johannesburg, South Africa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his way to Johannesburg, South Africa to attend the 15th BRICS Summit.

PM Modi LIVE Updates

PM Modi’s departure statement ahead of his visit to South Africa, Greece

BRICS LIVE Updates  

BRICS provides platform to deliberate on issues of concern for Global South, says PM Modi

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that BRICS has been actively involved in establishing a robust collaboration agenda across varied sectors, and that it serves as a venue to discourse on matters of importance to the whole Global South.

PM Modi stated that he is looking forward to interacting with “some of the leaders present in Johannesburg.”

“BRICS has been pursuing a strong cooperation agenda across various sectors. We value that BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of concern for the entire Global South, including development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system,” the PM said in a statement.