Important News - 2025-04-23
23 April 2025
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Politics (2)
Karnataka Government Arranges Special Flight to Repatriate Stranded Tourists from Kashmir
The Karnataka government has initiated efforts to safely repatriate over 40 tourists from Karnataka who were stranded in Kashmir following a terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the arrangement of a special flight for their return. Three individuals from Karnataka—Manjunath Rao from Shivamogga, Bharath Bhushan, and Madhusudan Rao from Bengaluru—were among those killed in the attack. The Chief Minister personally contacted the bereaved families, offering condolences and assuring full government support. Labour Minister Santosh Lad was dispatched to Srinagar to oversee rescue operations and coordinate with local authorities. The government has also issued helpline numbers for assistance and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to each victim’s family. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya is accompanying the bereaved families on their return journey, ensuring comprehensive support and coordination.
Delhi Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Medha Patkar in Defamation Case
On April 23, 2025, a Delhi court issued a non-bailable warrant against Medha Patkar, the leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, for failing to comply with a court order. The order required her to submit probation bonds and deposit a fine of ₹1 lakh in a 24-year-old defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh of the Saket Court noted that Patkar was deliberately avoiding compliance with the court's order, which had previously found her guilty but released her on probation of good conduct on April 8, 2025. The court dismissed her application for adjournment, stating it was frivolous and intended to mislead. The next hearing is scheduled for May 3, 2025. The legal dispute between Patkar and Saxena dates back to 2000, when Patkar filed a suit against Saxena for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Saxena, in turn, filed two defamation cases against Patkar in 2001. In one of these cases, Patkar was sentenced to five months' simple imprisonment on July 1, 2024.
Economy (1)
India Emerges as Aviation and Automobile Hub, Generating Employment Opportunities
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, K. Rammohan Naidu, announced on Wednesday that India is emerging as a significant hub for the aviation and automobile sectors due to the government's focused efforts. Speaking at the inauguration of Ora Motors' three-wheeler showroom on Pedapadu Road in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, he highlighted the potential of these sectors to generate substantial employment opportunities across the country. Naidu praised automobile companies for adopting environmentally friendly manufacturing practices and commended Ora Motors for launching models like Ape DX Classic, Ape LDX Cargo, and Ape LDX plus Classic Cargo, which are designed for all types of roads. Srikakulam MLA Gondu Shankar noted that Pedapadu Road has become a prominent automobile hub, catering to vehicle repairs, maintenance, and sales. The event was attended by key industry figures, including Piaggio Vehicle Private Limited's zonal head Mahesh Tiwari, servicing wing zonal head J. Venkateswara Rao, and Ora Motors' managing director Pilli Krishnakanth and director Adusumilli Janakiram.
Scheme (1)
Centre Approves ₹25 Crore Projects for Varkala and Thalassery Tourism Development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0
The Central government has granted administrative and financial approval for destination development projects in Varkala and Thalassery under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, with an outlay of ₹25 crore each. Varkala, located in Thiruvananthapuram district, has been categorized under culture and heritage, while Thalassery in Kannur district falls under spiritual tourism. These projects are part of the Challenge Based Destination Development initiative, aimed at enhancing Kerala's tourism infrastructure. The projects were approved by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) of the Union Ministry of Tourism after reviewing detailed project reports (DPRs) submitted by the Kerala Tourism department. The initiatives include sustainable infrastructure development, heritage preservation, waste management, renewable energy utilization, digitization of services, and skill development for local entrepreneurship. This move is expected to bolster Kerala's position as a global tourism hub offering a holistic experience to visitors.
Schemes (2)
Tourism Ministry Approves ₹25 Crore for Thalassery Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme
Thalassery, a heritage city in Kerala, has been granted ₹25 crore by the Tourism Ministry under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme to boost its tourism potential. The funding, announced by Speaker A.N. Shamseer, will support six projects aimed at sustainable tourism development. Key initiatives include the renovation of Thazhey Angadi heritage street (₹4 crore), improvements at the Jagannath temple (₹4.98 crore), development of Chirakkalkavu (₹1.51 crore), upgrades to Ponnyam Ezharakandam Kalari Academy (₹1.93 crore), and enhancements at Chokli Nidumbaram Theyyam Kala Academy (₹1.23 crore). Additionally, ₹3.25 crore has been allocated for green tourism, ₹2.66 crore for technical infrastructure, ₹25 lakh for marketing, and ₹52 lakh for training and workshops. The State government will provide land and necessary support for the project. This initiative aims to transform Thalassery into a major cultural and spiritual tourism hub, benefiting the local economy and community.
Kerala to Implement Subject Minimum for Classes V-VII from 2025-26 Academic Year
The Kerala government has announced the implementation of subject minimum criteria for classes V, VI, and VII starting from the 2025-26 academic year. This decision was revealed by Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty during the State-level inauguration of school textbook distribution in Thiruvananthapuram. The move follows positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers after the introduction of subject minimum in class VIII in the 2024-25 academic year. The government has also planned to extend this policy to classes VIII and IX in 2025-26 and to classes VIII to X from 2026-27. Additionally, the state has revised textbooks for classes II, IV, VI, VIII, and X, incorporating advancements in science and technology, including artificial intelligence and robotics. Over 3 crore textbooks have been prepared for distribution, with 443 new textbooks developed. The Minister also released 'Kurunnezhuthukal,' a compilation of diary entries by class I students, edited by him, as part of the Vidyakiranam Mission.
Heritage (1)
KPCC Commemorates Death Anniversary of Chettur Sankaran Nair
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will organize a series of events on Thursday to commemorate the death anniversary of Chettur Sankaran Nair, a prominent nationalist, lawyer, and former president of the Indian National Congress. KPCC president K. Sudhakaran will inaugurate a remembrance meeting at the Kannur District Congress Committee office at 10 a.m. Floral tributes will be offered at the KPCC headquarters at 10:30 a.m., followed by a remembrance meeting inaugurated by former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan. T.K.A. Nair, chairman of the Chettur Sankaran Nair Foundation and a former bureaucrat, will deliver the keynote address. These events aim to honor the legacy of Chettur Sankaran Nair, a key figure in India's freedom struggle and legal history.
Defence (1)
Keralite Killed in Pahalgam Terror Attack: Body Flown to Kochi
The body of N. Ramachandran, a 65-year-old native of Edappally in Ernakulam district, Kerala, who was killed in a terrorist attack at Pahalgam, South Kashmir, was flown to Kochi airport on April 23, 2025. The deceased’s wife, Sheela Ramachandran, daughter Aarathy, and her twin children were on the same flight. The body was initially transported to Delhi from Srinagar. Sheela, a heart patient, was informed about her husband’s death only upon arrival in Kochi. Minister for Agriculture P. Prasad paid tribute on behalf of the State Government and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The body was kept at a private hospital mortuary until Friday morning, awaiting the return of Ramachandran’s brother, Rajagopal, from the U.S. The funeral is scheduled for Friday afternoon at Edappally crematorium. Ramachandran had recently returned from West Asia and was known for his active and cordial nature. Union Ministers George Kurian and Suresh Gopi, along with other dignitaries, were present at the airport to receive the body.
Elections (1)
Peaceful Polling Concludes for Hyderabad Local Body MLC Election with 78.57% Turnout
The polling for the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) election in the Hyderabad local body concluded peacefully on Wednesday, with a voter turnout of 78.57% by 2 p.m., which remained unchanged until the polls ended at 4 p.m. The election was conducted at two polling stations set up in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) headquarters. Out of the 112 eligible voters, 88 cast their votes, including 31 ex officio members, of whom 22 participated, and 66 out of 81 corporators. The polling percentage rose from 37.51% at 10 a.m. to 77.68% by 12 noon. Prominent figures such as BJP’s G. Kishan Reddy, Eatala Rajender, K. Laxman, and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy were among the early voters, while Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, Congress MP Anil Kumar Yadav, and others voted later. Election observer Surendra Mohan and Returning Officer Anurag Jayanti oversaw the process. The ballot boxes were securely transported to the strong room, and counting is scheduled to begin on Friday at 8 a.m.
Miscellaneous (1)
Severe Rainstorm Causes Damage at Thrissur Zoo, Animals Safe
A severe rainstorm that struck Thrissur on Tuesday night caused significant damage to the city’s zoo, uprooting massive trees and damaging fences, compound walls, and animal enclosures. Fortunately, no animals were injured. The storm, which occurred during peak vacation season when the zoo experiences heavy footfall, struck at night, averting a potential tragedy. One tree fell into the deer enclosure, breaking through the compound wall into the adjacent Kollengode Palace, while another tree collapsed into the hippopotamus pond, completely covering it. Zoo officials promptly relocated animals to safer enclosures and initiated clean-up operations. Temporary visitor restrictions were imposed in affected areas, including children’s parks where branches had fallen. Superintendent T.V. Anilkumar confirmed that pre-monsoon safety measures, such as the removal of risky tree limbs, had been implemented earlier. Fallen trees have since been cleared, and restricted zones are being reopened to visitors in a phased manner.
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