Election Commission to Announce Assembly Elections Dates at 3 Noon Today 2
The Election Commission will announce the schedule for assembly elections on Friday afternoon.
An Election Commission invite to the media for a press conference around 3 pm did not mention the states for which the election schedule would be announced.
The terms of the legislative assemblies of Haryana and Maharashtra end on November 3 and November 26, respectively. The poll panel also plans to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, the deadline set by the Supreme Court.
The Election Commission has visited Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana recently to oversee the poll preparedness but is yet to visit Maharashtra.
ISRO Successfully Launches Third SSLV Carrying Earth Observation Satellite 4
ISRO launched its third and final developmental flight, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle-D3, carrying Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08.
The rocket lifted off majestically from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, situated about 135 km east of Chennai, at a pre-fixed time of 9.17 am.
The objectives of the SSLV-D3-EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite and creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency said.
Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 carries three payloads–Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R) and SiC UV Dosimeter.
The EOIR payload is designed to capture images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands, both during the day and night, for applications such as satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation and industrial and power plant disaster monitoring.
The GNSS-R payload demonstrates the capability of using GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications such as ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies over the Himalayan region, flood detection, and inland waterbody detection.
The SiC UV Dosimeter monitors UV irradiance at the viewport of the Crew Module in the Gaganyaan Mission and serves as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation.
'Not Keen in Contesting Elections': Ajit Pawar Says NCP to Decide if His Son Will Contest From Baramati 6
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Thursday that it was for his party to decide whether his son Jay Pawar will contest from the Baramati assembly constituency.
The NCP chief, who has been representing the constituency in Pune district for the last many terms, also said he was “not interested” in contesting elections anymore.
But state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare later said Ajit Pawar did not say that he would not contest the coming assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, Ajit Pawar was replying to the question whether Jay will be fielded from Baramati as demanded by his supporters.
“It is democracy. I am not interested in that (contesting elections) as I have contested seven or eight elections. If the people and supporters think so, the (NCP) parliamentary board will discuss it,” he said.
If the parliamentary board and “people” felt that Jai should be fielded, the NCP was ready to field him, Ajit Pawar further said.
Notably, his elder son Parth Pawar had contested the Maval Lok Sabha seat in 2019 but lost by a heavy margin.
Asked if he would celebrate Raksha Bandhan with his cousin and rival NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, Ajit said he was currently on a state tour and would meet all his sisters in some place. “If Supriya Sule happens to be where I am, I will meet her,” he added.
He also sought to debunk media reports about differences between him and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, saying that both were working together successfully.
Women in the state are happy as the first instalment Rs 1,500 under the `Ladki Bahin’ scheme has been credited into the accounts of 35 lakh women, Pawar said.
Asked about his recent remark that it was a mistake to field his wife Sunetra against Supriya Sule in Baramati Lok Sabha seat, Pawar said he had already talked about it.
“I am not someone who makes comments directed at some person. I speak whatever comes to my mind, and there is no need to do dissection,” he said.
Elsewhere, Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare claimed that Ajit Pawar did not state that he would not contest the coming elections.
“Ajit Pawar did not say that he would not contest elections….he could have some plans. We want to win as many seats as possible,” Tatkare told reporters.
Notably, Rohit Pawar, an NCP (SP) MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed and grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar, had recently claimed that someone from the family who is close to Ajit Pawar could be fielded against him.
“The Mahayuti (coalition of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP) is going to field candidates in my constituency to split votes. It was speculated that Ajit Pawar was under pressure to field someone from the family against Supriya Sule. Now, a similar strategy is being drawn up in my assembly constituency,” he had said.
South Korea Unveils Vision for 'Freedom-Based Unification,' Proposes Dialogue With North Korea 8
President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a vision for unification with North Korea on Thursday, pledging to expand outside information in the reclusive nation and proposing an official dialogue channel that can “take up any issue.”
Yoon made the remark in an address marking Liberation Day, which celebrates the 1945 end of Japan’s colonial rule, saying, “Complete liberation remains an unfinished task” as the Korean Peninsula still remains divided, reports Yonhap news agency.
“The freedom we enjoy must be extended to the frozen kingdom of the North, where people are deprived of freedom and suffer from poverty and starvation,” Yoon said. “Only when a unified free and democratic nation rightfully owned by the people is established across the entire Korean Peninsula will we finally have complete liberation.”
Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara was among the officials who visited the shrine, prompting Seoul’s foreign ministry to summon Taisuke Mibae, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to strongly protest the visit.
It marked the first time in three years for a sitting Japanese defence minister to visit the shrine.
“(We) cannot but deplore the anachronistic act,” a foreign ministry official said.
The defence ministry also called in a defence attache at the Japanese Embassy to strongly protest Kihara’s visit to the shrine, the official stated, noting that it goes against the two countries’ efforts to develop future-oriented relations.
Congress Faces Backlash Over Shah Bano, Emergency After Jairam Slams PM Modi's 'Communal' Civil Code Remark 10
Political analysts on Thursday questioned Congress’ claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “communal civil code” remark made during his Independence Day speech was a “gross insult” to B.R. Ambedkar.
They argued that it was the Nehru-Gandhi family which undermined the Constitution shaped by Baba Saheb Ambedkar.
The debate heated up following Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on Thursday, wherein he criticised the existing civil codes as “communal” and “discriminatory”, making a compelling argument for adopting the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
On social media, critics and experts are pointing out that it was the Congress government which overturned the Shah Bano case judgment and imposed Emergency, which many view as a flagrant disregard for the Constitution.
“Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution was always secular. It was the way Nehru-Gandhi Parivar implemented it that converted the lived-reality into a ghastly communal experience,” said an expert in a post on X.
“Was it Ambedkar who overturned the SC judgement in the Shah Bano case? Was it Dr. Ambedkar who mangled the Constitution during Emergency? In fact, it is Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution which has Article 44 as Directive Principles – something which successive generations of Nehru Parivar have scuttled,” the post added.
The X post went on to say, “Here is what Dr. Ambedkar said when the provision for a Uniform Civil Code was being debated – ‘My friend, Mr Hussain Imam, in rising to support the amendments, asked whether it was possible and desirable to have a uniform code of laws for a country so vast as this is. Now I must confess that I was very much surprised at that statement for the simple reason that we have in this country a uniform code of laws covering almost every aspect of human relationship. We have a uniform and complete Criminal Code operating throughout the country, which is contained in the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code. We have the Law of Transfer of Property, which deals with property relations and which is operative throughout the country. Then there are the Negotiable Instruments Acts. I can cite innumerable enactments which would prove that this country has practically a Civil Code, uniform in its content and applicable to the whole of the country. The only province the Civil Law has not been able to invade so far is Marriage and Succession’.”
“So Jairam, better start schooling third time fail Rahul Gandhi on true history of his family rather than continuously feeding him with venomous lies,” the expert pointed out.
Earlier, Congress’ Communications chief Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, “The non-biological PM’s capacity for malice, mischief, and maligning of history knows no bounds. It was on full display today from the Red Fort. To say that we have had a “communal civil code” till now is a gross insult to Dr. Ambedkar, who was the greatest champion of reforms in Hindu personal laws that became a reality by the mid 1950s. These reforms had been bitterly opposed by the RSS and the Jan Sangh.”
Ramesh also quoted a 21st Law Commission’s consultation paper on reform of family law dated August 31, 2018, which said UCC “is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage”.
“While diversity of Indian culture can and should be celebrated, specific groups or weaker sections of the society must not be disadvantaged in the process. Resolution of this conflict does not mean abolition of all differences. This commission has therefore dealt with laws that are discriminatory rather than providing a Uniform Civil Code which is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage. Most countries are moving towards recognition of differences and the mere existence of difference does not imply discrimination, but is indicative of a robust democracy,” Ramesh wrote quoting the consultation paper.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi said during his address from the Red Fort, “In our country, the Supreme Court has repeatedly discussed the Uniform Civil Code. It has given orders many times because a large section of the country believes, and there is truth in it, that the civil code with which we are living is really a kind of communal civil code, a discriminatory civil code.”
Muslims Not Happy With PM Modi's Remarks on UCC, Claims All India Muslim Jamaat Chief 12
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a forceful argument for adopting the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during his Independence Day speech on Thursday, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, the President of the All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ), claimed that Muslims in the country are not happy with the Prime Minister’s remarks.
During his speech from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister said, “As we celebrate the 75th year of the Constitution, it is our duty to realise the dreams of its framers, who envisioned a Unified Civil Code. The Supreme Court has also urged us to address this issue.
“The spirit of the Constitution and the call of our time demand that we discuss this crucial issue openly. Everyone should contribute their views. Laws that divide the country by religion and foster discrimination have no place in modern society.”
Reacting to the PM’s remarks, Razvi said, “Prime Minister Modi gave a speech from Red Fort wherein he talked about implementing the Uniform Civil Code. The entire Muslim community of India is not satisfied with the words of PM Narendra Modi.”
He added, “The reason for this is that every society and religion have different principles of living life which cannot be included in the Uniform Civil Code. That is why ‘One nation, One election’ is not possible in our country. If the UCC is implemented, it could lead to societal fragmentation, disrupting the harmony among people of all religions who live together in brotherhood.
“So, I request Prime Minister Modi not to make the mistake of implementing UCC,” Razvi said.
In his speech, the Prime Minister also said, “The Supreme Court has frequently deliberated on the Uniform Civil Code in our country. It has issued several orders, reflecting a widespread belief that our current civil code is effectively a communal and discriminatory one. It is imperative that we establish a secular civil code in the country. Only then can we eliminate discrimination based on religion.”
The Uniform Civil Code is a proposed legal framework that aims to replace personal laws, which are specific to various religions, with a common set of laws governing every citizen. These personal laws cover areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, have been in space longer than planned due to issues with the spacecraft. Originally set to return by mid-June, their mission has been delayed by thruster anomalies, software problems, and helium leaks. NASA is now considering keeping them on the ISS until early 2025, possibly bringing them back on a SpaceX flight while the Starliner returns unmanned. A decision is expected by the end of the month.
NASA is reviewing more data on the Starliner’s performance, with a final decision on the astronauts’ return expected by the end of next week or early the following week. Critical thruster malfunctions, essential for the capsule’s re-entry orientation, have raised serious concerns. The mission, initially planned as a brief test, has faced significant technical issues, leaving Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore in an uncertain situation far beyond their intended one-week mission. The possibility of returning via SpaceX is under consideration.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s space operations mission chief, emphasized the importance of thoroughly analyzing the Starliner’s thruster data before making a decision about its return. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who launched aboard the Starliner on June 5, were initially expected to spend just eight days in space. However, due to thruster malfunctions, their mission has been extended indefinitely. Both astronauts underwent standard hearing tests as part of regular health checkups in space, while NASA continues to evaluate the thruster issues crucial for a safe return.
NASA is nearing a critical decision on whether to bring astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth using the troubled Starliner or a SpaceX spacecraft. Ken Bowersox, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Director, emphasized the urgency of making this decision by the end of August. Safety chief Russ DeLoach noted the complexity of the situation due to insufficient data on the Starliner’s thrusters. If SpaceX is chosen, the upcoming Crew-9 mission might launch with two astronauts instead of four. Meanwhile, routine medical checks continue for Williams and Wilmore.
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are currently stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that was supposed to bring them back to Earth after an eight-day mission. Due to mechanical issues, including thruster failures, with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that was supposed to bring Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth, NASA is now considering using a SpaceX capsule for their return. These safety concerns have cast doubt on the Starliner’s ability to safely complete the mission. As a result, NASA is exploring the alternative of a SpaceX capsule, which could potentially delay the astronauts’ return until 2025.
Another challenge is the limited docking ports available for US spacecraft at the ISS. For the SpaceX Dragon capsule to dock, Boeing’s Starliner would need to leave first, creating a logistical puzzle for NASA. NASA plans to keep the astronauts in space until their replacements arrive, assuming no emergencies occur. While ISS missions typically last around six months, some have extended up to a full year.
The world is watching the developments and they want Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to return safely to earth. Social media is flooded with posts, microblogging sites are exploring every possibility, and people are curious to know why this malfunction occurred and what would be to bring them back. NASA is planning to get our astronomers back.
Natural Disasters Are a Major Concern and Nation Stands With Victims, Says PM Modi in I-Day Speech 16
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Thursday, highlighted that natural disasters occurring in different parts of the country are a matter of concern. He affirmed that the nation stands with the victims.
On the occasion of Independence Day, after hoisting the national flag for the 11th consecutive year, PM Modi addressed the nation, stating that the increasing frequency of natural disasters in recent years has been a cause of concern for the country. Many people have lost their family members and property due to these disasters and the nation has repeatedly suffered damage, he said.
“Today, I express my condolences to all those affected and assure them that the country stands with them in this time of crisis,” PM Modi said.
Earlier, while addressing the nation from the Red Fort, PM Modi also paid tribute to the freedom fighters who contributed to India’s Independence.
The Prime Minister remarked: “Today is an auspicious moment when we honour those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, dedicated themselves to the cause of freedom, and struggled throughout their lives. The freedom fighters, who faced the gallows chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, have given us the privilege to breathe the air of freedom today. The nation is indebted to them, and we express our reverence towards every such great personality.”
He further stated that those who are dedicated to the defence and development of the nation, including farmers, soldiers, youth, and women, and those who continue to contribute despite adversities, are a source of inspiration for the whole world. “I respectfully pay homage to all of them today,” he added.
PM Modi also referenced various movements for Independence before 1857, highlighting that centuries of slavery were marked by continuous struggles. Youth, farmers, women, and tribals, all fought against oppression. History bears witness to the fact that even before the revolt of 1857, many tribal regions in India were engaged in battles for freedom.
Rape in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College Has Shaken the Nation 18
The tragic incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College has indeed shocked the nation. A 31-year-old second-year postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead under horrific circumstances, which has sparked widespread outrage and concern for the safety of healthcare professionals, especially women, within medical institutions.
The doctor had finished her duty late at night and chose to rest in the seminar hall of the hospital due to the unavailability of space elsewhere. Tragically, it was in this place that she was allegedly raped and murdered. Her body was discovered the following morning, partially undressed, which indicated the brutal nature of the crime.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of medical professionals within hospital premises, highlighting the vulnerabilities that female healthcare workers face. The fact that such a heinous act could occur within a well-known medical institution has intensified the public’s call for justice and immediate action.
Authorities are under immense pressure to investigate the case thoroughly, identify and apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure that such incidents do not occur again in the future. The medical community, alongside the general public, is demanding that the government and hospital administrations take decisive measures to address safety concerns and protect those working in the healthcare sector.
This incident underscores the need for enhanced security measures in workplaces, especially in healthcare settings where professionals are often required to work late hours and in isolated areas. The nation is closely watching as the investigation unfolds, with a strong call for justice and systemic changes to ensure the safety of all healthcare workers.
The horrific crime at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, where a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly gang-raped and murdered, has exposed significant flaws in the security measures within hospital premises. The autopsy report, which revealed the presence of 151 mg of semen from the victim, strongly suggests that multiple individuals were involved in the crime, leading to widespread speculation about a gang rape occurring in broad daylight.
This incident has ignited protests and work stoppages among the hospital’s postgraduate trainee (PGT) doctors, who have demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved. The student community and medical professionals have organized rallies, and opposition leaders have called for an independent, magistrate-led investigation to ensure transparency and justice.
In response, the police arrested Sanjoy Roy, a 33-year-old civic volunteer, based on evidence that included a torn Bluetooth earphone found at the crime scene. Roy’s access to the hospital and previous allegations of inappropriate behavior have raised serious concerns about his involvement and the broader issue of security lapses at the hospital.
The incident also led to substantial controversy surrounding Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former head of RG Kar Medical College, who was criticized for his inadequate response to the case and perceived victim-blaming comments. Though initially asked to go on leave, he was controversially reinstated as the Principal of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital within 24 hours, further fueling public outrage.
In light of this tragedy, the National Medical Commission has issued an advisory urging medical institutions to enhance security measures, including the implementation of video surveillance and the deployment of additional security personnel. This incident also highlights the broader issue of sexual violence in India, where an average of 86 rape cases were reported daily in 2022, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Despite legal reforms, including harsher sentencing for rapists and the criminalization of acts such as stalking and voyeurism, many women still refrain from reporting sexual crimes due to the societal stigma attached to victimhood in India’s patriarchal society.
The case continues to be under investigation, and there is a strong public demand for justice to be served swiftly and effectively. The case is now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over on Tuesday after the High Court order.
FIR Filed After Theft of Lights on Ayodhya's Ram Path and Bhakti Path 20
As many as 3,800 bamboo and 36 projector lights worth more than Rs 50 lakh installed on Bhakti Path and Ram Path, located in a high-security area in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, were allegedly stolen, the police said.
“As many as 6,400 bamboo lights were installed on Rampath and 96 projector lights were installed on Bhakti Path. Till March 19, all the lights were there but after an inspection on May 9, it was found that some lights were missing.”
An FIR was lodged at Ram Janmabhoomi police station following a complaint on August 9 from a representative of the firm—Yash Enterprises and Krishna Automobiles—which set up the lights under a contract awarded by the Ayodhya Development Authority, they said on Tuesday.
“Till now, around 3,800 bamboo lights and 36 projector lights have been stolen by some unknown thieves,” Shekhar Sharma, a representative of the firm, said in the complaint.
According to the FIR, the firm became aware of the theft in May but filed the complaint on August 9.
The police said that an FIR has been registered in the matter and a probe is underway.
Ayodhya was refurbished under a major project ahead of the January 22 Ram temple consecration ceremony in the holy city.
