India will fulfill world’s demand for skilled talent, PM Modi says at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention on Thursday (January 9, 2025). This significant event, celebrated once every two years, honours the contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland. The theme for this year is the “Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat”. Mr. Modi called for documenting the history of the Indian diaspora, highlighting their journeys across different eras to various countries, their remarkable achievements, and their contributions to the societies they became a part of.
Delhi Assembly election: Kejriwal to fight polls only from New Delhi; shoots down BJP’s claim
Quashing BJP leaders’ claims that he would contest the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections from a second seat out of fear of losing from New Delhi, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said he will contest the polls from one seat only. Mr. Kejriwal also asserted that the Assembly polls are not an INDA bloc affair as there is a direct contest between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi.
Tirupati stampede: Nearly 1.20 lakh ‘Vaikunta Dwara Darshan’ tokens at Tirumala temple exhausted in whiff
The tokens for the first three days of the ten-day ‘Vaikunta Dwara Darshan’ at Tirumala Sri Venkateswara temple got exhausted within hours of the opening of the counters, albeit after the unfortunate stampede in which six devotees breathed their last. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been observing the Vaikunta Ekadasi event, falling on January 10 this year, in the form of a ten-day event in the recent years by keeping the sacred threshold ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ open for ten days. Devotees consider it a ‘divine experience’ to walk through this threshold. This is based on the practice followed in Srirangam temple, which also helped spread the crowd for ten days.
Three Naxalites killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma
Three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Thursday (January 9, 2025), State Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said. The security forces have achieved success in the anti-Naxal operation in Sukma, he said. So far, bodies of three Naxalites have been recovered and the search operation is still underway, Sharma, who holds the Home portfolio, told reporters in Raipur.
Kerala MLA Uma Thomas shows considerable recovery after severe injuries in stadium fall
The health condition of Congress legislator Uma Thomas, who had sustained severe injuries to the head and lungs after she fell from a gallery at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor in Kochi in Kerala on December 29, has shown considerable improvement as she walked with the support of a walker.
Protest in Indore over Union Carbide waste disposal plan in neighbouring Dhar district
Various organisations on Thursday (January 9, 2025) protested in Indore against the plan to dispose of 337 tonnes of Union Carbide factory waste at Pithampur in Dhar district, about 30 km from the city. The protesters claim that the move poses a threat to the health of the people living in the industrial town and the environment and will also harm the residents of Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s financial capital, and its surrounding areas.
Himachal cabinet gives nod to rename Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration after Manmohan Singh
Even as suspense surrounding the selection of a memorial site in the country’s national capital for former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh continues, the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh gave nod to rename an institute in his name, acknowledging Dr. Singh’s significant contributions for development of the hill state.
Farmer attempts to end life at Shambhu border, dies at Patiala hospital
A 55-year-old farmer protesting at the Shambhu border allegedly attempted suicide on Thursday (January 9, 2025), farmer leaders said, the second such incident at the agitation site within three weeks.
Taliban calls India a ‘significant regional partner’ after Dubai meeting
The Taliban’s foreign office said they saw India as a “significant regional and economic partner” after meeting with its most senior foreign ministry official, the highest level talks with Delhi since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday (January 8, 2025).
In rare interview, Joe Biden says he could have defeated Donald Trump
Joe Biden thinks he could have won reelection if he had stayed in the White House race, he said in an interview published Wednesday (January 8, 2025) — while conceding he was unsure if he would have served another full term. The 82-year-old Democrat, who leaves office on January 20, was asked by USA Today if he believed victory over Republican Donald Trump was a realistic prospect last November, and he pointed to unspecified polling and said: “I think yes.”
Tens of thousands ordered to evacuate as fires tear through Los Angeles area
Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fuelled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke. Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes on Wednesday (January 8, 2025), from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena. One of the fires was the most destructive in the modern history of the city of LA.
South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol to accept court decision even if it ends presidency, says lawyer
“South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will accept the decision of the Constitutional Court that is trying parliament’s impeachment case against him, even if it decides to remove the suspended leader from office,” his lawyer said on Thursday (January 9, 2025).
Australian Open 2025: Sumit Nagal to play Czech Republic’s Machac in first round
India’s highest-ranked singles tennis player Sumit Nagal will take on Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in the opening round of the Australian Open, beginning in Melbourne on Sunday (January 12, 2025). The 27-year-old Nagal, currently 96th on the ATP, made it to the main draw of the season-opening Grand Slam by virtue of being among the 104 highest-ranked players in the world.
Published – January 09, 2025 06:21 pm IST
