Important News - 2025-05-30
30 May 2025
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Heritage (2)
Guruvayur's Renowned Elephant Gopikannan Passes Away at 51
Gopikannan, a renowned elephant of the Guruvayur Devaswom, passed away in the early hours of Friday. The 51-year-old elephant had been under musth for the past two months and suddenly collapsed at his tethering post. Despite showing no prior signs of illness, a slight abdominal swelling was observed by veterinarians on Thursday. Gopikannan, originally from Assam, was offered to the temple by businessman Gopu Nandilath Gopu in September 2001. Known for his calm demeanor and striking physical features, he became one of Guruvayur's star tuskers, regularly participating in the temple's daily rituals, including Sheeveli and Vilakku. Gopikannan was a nine-time winner of the prestigious Aanayottam (elephant race) and had led key events such as Pallivetta and Arat during the Guruvayur festival.
Rare Lizard Discovery in Meghalaya Spurs Local Conservation Drive
A rare lizard species, Calotes zolaiking, recently discovered in Mawmluh, East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, has sparked a community-driven conservation initiative in the region. First described in 2019 from Mizoram’s Aizawl district, this species of garden lizard has now been recorded 172 km away in Meghalaya, extending its known range. The discovery was facilitated by two local villagers, Goldenstar Thongni and Banyllashisha Wankhar, who contributed to the study published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. Mr. Thongni, a nature enthusiast from Rohbah, collaborated on the research, while Ms. Wankhar, a grocery shop owner in Mawmluh, collected the first specimens. The lizard’s presence has galvanized conservation efforts, particularly in Sohra (Cherrapunji), where sacred groves and greenery have been stressed by limestone mining and industrial activities. Herpetologist Jayaditya Purkayastha emphasized the importance of sustained surveys, citing the example of Stoliczkia khasiensis, a snake described in 1870 but never seen again. India is home to 14 species of Calotes, with nine found in the Northeast.
Economy (3)
IndiGo CEO Advocates India as a Global Aviation Hub
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elberg recently emphasized the potential for India to become a global aviation hub, highlighting that 65% of the world's population is within a 5-6 hour flight from India. Speaking ahead of a major international airlines' summit in New Delhi, Elberg pointed out that India could serve as a central transfer point for international flights, connecting multiple destinations. He noted that India's outbound travel market is expanding, with IndiGo set to enter the long-haul market with non-stop flights to European cities like Manchester, Amsterdam, London, and Copenhagen. The airline will also add Airbus A321 XLR and A350 aircraft to its fleet, enabling global reach. Elberg stressed the need for infrastructure and aviation industry investments to achieve this vision, citing the sector's contribution of $54 billion to India's GDP and its role in creating 8 million jobs. He also highlighted India's post-COVID recovery, with a 20% increase in passengers compared to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, IndiGo announced plans to build a state-of-the-art MRO facility in collaboration with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).
NIRL and MAHAPREIT Form Joint Venture to Develop 5,000 MW Renewable Energy Projects in Maharashtra
NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), a subsidiary of NLC India Limited (NLCIL), has entered into a joint venture agreement with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT) to accelerate India’s renewable energy goals. The agreement was signed in the presence of Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NLCIL, and Bipin Shirmali, Managing Director of Mahapreit. This collaboration aims to develop renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, hybrid, floating solar, Battery Energy Storage System, pumped storage, and solar parks, with an initial focus on 500 MW in Phase I, eventually scaling up to 5,000 MW in Maharashtra. The Joint Venture Company (JVC) will have an equity structure of 74% held by NIRL and 26% by Mahapreit. Mahapreit will facilitate land identification and Power Evacuation System development, while NIRL will handle detailed project reports, financing, and project development. The JVC will sell power through competitive and regulated routes under the Electricity Act, targeting DISCOMs, government entities, and commercial and industrial consumers. This partnership reflects the Union government’s commitment to fostering collaborative efforts for sustainable growth and energy security, supporting India’s decarbonization journey and renewable energy targets.
Kerala Draft Regulations Focus on Renewable Energy Storage and Market Participation
The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has released draft regulations titled 'Renewable Energy and Related Matters' on October 20, 2023, focusing on enhancing energy storage systems in Kerala's renewable energy sector. The draft introduces Virtual Net Metering (VNM) and Group Net Metering (GNM) to facilitate energy management for prosumers. It also proposes Virtual Power Plants (VPP) and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) trading, enabling small-scale renewable energy producers to participate in the power market. The regulations emphasize the importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) to store surplus energy, particularly from solar plants, for use during peak demand periods. Additionally, the draft outlines Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, allowing electric vehicles to supply energy to the grid during peak hours, supported by a Time-of-Use (ToU) tariff system. The KSERC will finalize the regulations after a public consultation process.
Politics (2)
Siddaramaiah Directs Officials to Tackle Monsoon Challenges in Karnataka
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued immediate instructions to Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of zilla panchayats to address the challenges posed by the early arrival of the monsoon. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for prompt execution of government programs and effective management of rain-related issues to ensure a responsive administration. Key directives included initiating disciplinary action against erring officials, clearing applications under the Sakala scheme on time, and purchasing private land for burial grounds if government land is unavailable. Additionally, Siddaramaiah highlighted the importance of bringing the Soldiers' Welfare Board proposal to the next cabinet meeting, identifying land for taluk stadiums in 59 taluks, and disbursing applications under the Bagair Hukum Regularization Scheme. The Chief Minister also stressed the need for officials to participate in the Janaspandana program at the district and taluk levels to address public grievances. With Karnataka receiving above-normal rainfall in May, Siddaramaiah directed the formation of task forces in each gram panchayat to expedite relief measures for rain-affected areas, ensuring that funds from the State Disaster Response Fund are utilized effectively.
Mahesh Goud Claims BRS-BJP Covert Alliance Amid Internal Power Struggle
Mahesh Kumar Goud, the President of the Telahgana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) and an MLC, has made significant claims regarding the political dynamics in Telangana. He stated that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is a sinking ship and highlighted the alleged covert alliance between BRS and BJP. Goud pointed out that BJP MP Eatala Rajender recently met BRS leader Harish Rao at a farmhouse, where they reportedly discussed rekindling their past association. This meeting followed the issuance of notices related to the Kaleshwaram project controversy. Goud also mentioned that BRS MLC K. Kavitha and BJP MLA Raja Singh's comments reveal a secret understanding between the two parties. He questioned the silence of BJP leaders, particularly Union Minister Kishan Reddy, regarding Raja Singh's controversial remarks. Goud further alleged an internal power struggle within BRS leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao's family over the control of the party's remaining influence and resources. He also criticized BJP's constant attacks on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, describing them as indicative of low-level politics.
Elections (1)
CPI’s D. Raja Confident of LDF Victory in Kerala Assembly Elections
Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D. Raja expressed confidence that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) will secure victory in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. Speaking at the valedictory session of CPI’s birth centenary celebrations in Thrissur on Friday, Raja emphasized that the people of Kerala would continue to support progressive and secular governance. He criticized the BJP and its parent organization, the RSS, questioning their role in India’s Freedom Struggle and accusing them of promoting authoritarianism. Raja also condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, highlighting the Prime Minister’s silence on the issue. He praised Kerala for upholding democracy and federalism, crediting the communist movement for breaking the monopoly of single-party rule in India. The event was attended by CPI leaders, including Revenue Minister K. Rajan, and featured a parade by the Red Volunteers Army.
Schemes (1)
Siddaramaiah Launches CM Dashboard for Real-Time Development Monitoring in Karnataka
On Friday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the Chief Minister’s Dashboard (CM Dashboard), a real-time platform designed to monitor key development indicators across Karnataka. The dashboard, developed by the Centre for e-Governance (CeG), is accessible at cmdashboard.karnataka.gov.in. It integrates data from various departments through APIs, eliminating manual entry and enabling data-driven governance. The platform categorizes state performance into four sectors: economic growth, legal/judiciary management, infrastructure development, and citizen-centric governance. During the launch, Siddaramaiah instructed officials to remain in their taluk and district headquarters to address public grievances, conduct surprise visits to schools and hospitals, and review development works regularly. He also emphasized the need to expedite the delivery of food at Indira Canteens, with 103 out of 186 new canteens already constructed. Additionally, the Chief Minister reviewed farmer suicide data and directed officials to address delays in compensation and recover encroached tank-bed areas, with 6,065 out of 10,931 areas already reclaimed.
Miscellaneous (3)
Two Fatal Road Accidents Claim Lives in the City
Two separate road accidents in the city resulted in the deaths of two individuals on Thursday night. In the first incident, Rajveer Singh, a 25-year-old resident of Hebbal, lost control of his motorcycle while speeding and collided with a road median in Kodigehalli. He sustained severe head injuries due to not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby private hospital. In the second incident, Ravi, a 30-year-old, was fatally injured when a car collided with his motorcycle near Hoskote. Ravi succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital. The car driver fled the scene, and authorities are currently attempting to locate the individual.
Delay in Seat Matrix Submission Threatens KEA Counselling Process for Professional Courses
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is facing delays in the counselling process for professional courses due to the late submission of the seat matrix by various departments. The deadline for submitting the seat matrix, which includes details for engineering, medical, dental, and nursing courses, has already passed four days ago. The Higher Education Department and the Medical Education Department are responsible for compiling and submitting the seat matrix to the KEA. However, neither department has provided the necessary data, despite repeated requests from the KEA. The Higher Education Department is currently compiling the data and expects to submit it soon, but the Medical Education Department's submission is delayed due to internal issues involving the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). The KEA requires at least one week to process the seat matrix once received, further pushing back the counselling schedule.
Karnataka High Court Directs State Government to Ensure Maintenance of Drinking Water Facilities
The Karnataka High Court has issued a series of directives to the State government to ensure the regular maintenance of drinking water facilities across Karnataka. The court emphasized the need for a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address issues related to water storage tanks, pipelines, and reverse osmosis (RO) plants. The directives were issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ramesh Naik L., a Tumakuru-based advocate. The PIL highlighted the issue of contaminated drinking water in Tumakuru district, prompting the court to expand its scope to the entire State. The court noted that the failure to maintain water infrastructure deprives individuals of access to clean drinking water, constituting a violation of the State's constitutional obligations. The Bench instructed the government to maintain detailed records of maintenance activities and to formulate a scientific roadmap for the inspection, maintenance, and replacement of pipelines. Additionally, the court directed the government to issue guidelines for the maintenance of RO plants, ensuring they are operational and properly maintained. The court also mandated that panchayat development officers in rural areas and designated officers in urban areas oversee the maintenance of RO plants, with deputy commissioners held accountable for implementing the directives.
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