Important News - 2025-04-26
26 April 2025
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Appointments (2)
UPSC 2025 Topper J. Sai Chaitanya Honored in Adilabad
J. Sai Chaitanya, a tribal youth from Utnoor, achieved the All India 68th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. He was felicitated by Adilabad District Superintendent of Police Akhil Mahajan at the district headquarters on Saturday. The ceremony acknowledged Chaitanya's remarkable accomplishment, highlighting his determination and perseverance. Mahajan presented him with a shawl and praised his success. Chaitanya is the son of J. Govind Rao, a head constable in the police force. The event was attended by Mr. Rao and other dignitaries.
Politics (2)
Jignesh Mewani Advocates ‘Samvidhan Shakhas’ to Counter RSS Influence
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani has urged the public to establish ‘Samvidhan Shakhas’ to counter the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its shakhas. Speaking at the ‘Samvidhana Samrakshakara Samavesha’ in Davangere, Mewani accused the RSS and the BJP of attempting to undermine the Constitution drafted by B.R. Ambedkar. He emphasized the need for grassroots-level groups to oppose the RSS’s efforts. Tamil Nadu MP Sasikanth Senthil and economist Parakala Prabhakar also called for collective action to protect the Constitution. Writer Baragur Ramachandrappa highlighted the importance of respecting the Constitution and promoting equality. The event, organized by Eddelu Karnataka, aimed to mobilize citizens to defend constitutional values, with a goal of preparing one lakh active defenders.
Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 Raises Concerns Over Press Freedom
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 has raised concerns among journalists and activists regarding its potential impact on press freedom. Anjali Bharadwaj, Amruth Johri, and Rakesh Dubbudu of the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information highlighted these issues during a consultation campaign organized with the Press Club Hyderabad on Saturday. They emphasized that the Act restricts journalists from collecting and disseminating personal information without consent, a provision that was not present in earlier drafts. Violations could result in fines up to ₹500 crore, and only the government has the authority to exempt organizations. This has led to fears that media organizations critical of the government could be targeted, while those supporting government narratives might be exempted. The Editors Guild and Opposition Parties have expressed their concerns to the Central government, but no response has been received. The Act also poses challenges for those involved in the Right to Information Act, as it hampers their ability to seek personal information from officials. Senior journalists and Press Club Hyderabad officials, including General Secretary R. Ravikanth Reddy and Vice President C. Vanaja, were present at the event.
Economy (2)
High Gold Prices Impact Sales Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya
The soaring prices of gold have significantly impacted sales ahead of Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious day for purchasing gold, which falls on April 30 this year. Many consumers, like Sudha Eeshwar, a school teacher, are postponing their gold purchases due to the high prices. Despite this, jewellers are offering various discounts and incentives to attract customers. For instance, Abaran, a jewellery house, is providing a ₹500 discount per gram of gold, while Shree Sai Gold Palace is offering a free silver idol with purchases above ₹50,000. The price surge is attributed to the USA-China trade wars, making gold a preferred investment over the automobile industry or the stock market. Retailers have noted a shift in consumer preferences towards lightweight jewellery, with 18-karat gold jewellery sales increasing. However, small businesses in the gold industry are facing significant challenges due to the price hike, as customers prefer established brands. Vijay Davanam, CEO of Davanam Jewellers, mentioned a drop in customers and plans to introduce limited offers on lightweight jewellery leading up to the festival.
Mega Job Fair in Thrissur Under Vijnana Keralam Initiative
A mega job fair was held in Thrissur, Kerala, as part of the Vijnana Keralam initiative, attracting thousands of job seekers. The event, organized on Saturday, offered approximately 35,000 job opportunities across 577 sectors, with 151 employers participating. The job fair was conducted at the Government Engineering College and Vimala College, utilizing 140 classrooms. The event featured on-site hiring, a virtual job fair, an apprenticeship drive, and an influencers' meet. The Vijnana Keralam initiative, led by the Kerala government, aims to align job opportunities with the educational qualifications and interests of job seekers. The event also included technical assistance and skill training provided by various government agencies. The initiative seeks to strengthen Kerala's knowledge economy through a people-centric planning model, integrating education, employment, and skill development. The event was marked by the absence of inaugural ceremonies in respect of the passing of Pope Francis. The goal is to ensure that all registered candidates receive job placements by the end of May.
Schemes (1)
Microsoft and IIIT-B Launch AI Innovation and Inclusion Scheme for Underserved Communities
Microsoft and the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIIT-B) have launched a collaborative initiative titled 'A4I — The AI Innovation and Inclusion Scheme' to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating inclusive and impactful solutions for underserved communities. The event was held at the IIIT-B campus and attended by senior members of Microsoft Philanthropies. Uma Mahadevan, Development Commissioner of Karnataka, participated virtually as the chief guest and emphasized the potential of AI in driving development and sustainability in education and healthcare. She highlighted the importance of leveraging AI to empower even the semi-literate population to contribute at the local level. Kate Behncken, Corporate Vice President and Global Lead of Microsoft Philanthropies, discussed the rapid technological advancements in education, healthcare, and agriculture due to the 'AI economy' and outlined Microsoft's goal to skill 10 million people in India by 2030, creating 2.73 million jobs locally. The initiative aims to build a framework for sustained scaling and support, fostering an ecosystem that nurtures AI-driven innovations for long-term societal impact. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-B, emphasized the importance of scaling AI benefits equitably and highlighted A4I as a flagship initiative under the Centre for Accessibility in the Global South.
Heritage (1)
M.G.S. Narayanan Celebrated as Pillar of India’s Knowledge Heritage
Historian M.R. Raghava Warrier described M.G.S. Narayanan as the most significant contributor to India’s knowledge heritage. Speaking to reporters after paying tribute to MGS, who passed away in Kozhikode on April 26, 2025, Warrier emphasized MGS’s role as a mentor who imparted historical knowledge across generations. MGS collected manuscripts and documents from over 100 locations in India and Sri Lanka, maintaining an unbiased approach free from political or religious influences. M.K. Raghavan, MP, highlighted MGS’s impartial representation of history during his tenure as Chairman of the Indian Council for Historical Research. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi praised MGS’s exemplary contributions to Kerala’s history, while Goa Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai lauded his unique blend of literary, historical, and linguistic expertise.
Miscellaneous (2)
Telangana Excise Department Receives 1,346 Applications for New Bar Licenses
The Telangana Excise and Prohibition Department has received a total of 1,346 applications for new bar licenses across 25 notified locations in the state. This initiative follows the department's call for applications to replace previously closed establishments, with the submission deadline set for April 26, 2024. Warangal emerged as the most sought-after location, with the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) receiving 491 applications for four notified bars. Other notable locations include Meerpet in Saroornagar, which saw 200 applications for a single bar, and Miryalaguda in Nalgonda district, which received 226 applications for one bar. Khammam recorded 145 applications for two bars, while Adilabad district reported 61 applications for three locations. Other areas such as Mancherial, Jagtial’s Korutla, Mahabubnagar, Makthal, Alampur, Achampet, Medak, Nizamabad, Armoor, and Kodangal also saw varying levels of interest. Excise officials are now evaluating the applications to ensure compliance with guidelines, emphasizing transparency in the allotment process. Additionally, applications for 15 bars in urban areas, delayed due to the MLC elections for local bodies under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), will be processed soon.
Karnataka High Court Issues Notice Over 'Janivara' Removal Incident in CET 2025
The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the State Government and the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha. The PIL challenges the actions of officials who allegedly forced students to remove their 'janivara' (sacred threads) before entering examination halls to write the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2025. The incident reportedly occurred on April 17, 2024, at centers in Shivamogga, Dharwad, and Bidar districts. The petitioners argue that this act violates the cultural and religious rights of students, particularly those from the Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya communities, who wear the 'janivara' as part of their religious practices. The court has requested the petitioners to provide additional evidence, including details of affected students, to substantiate their claims. The court emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, noting that students who refused to remove their 'janivara' were denied entry to the examination halls and were thus unable to participate in the CET.
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