Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju today inaugurated six initiatives as part of the 100-day achievements of the ministry in New Delhi. The Minister launched the National e-Vidhan Application 2.0 (NeVA 2.0), Subordinate Legislation Management System, Consultative Committee Management System, National Youth Parliament Scheme 2.0, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). According to the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, the upgraded version of the National e-Vidhan Application 2.0 (NeVA 2.0) will provide more user-friendly interface and enhanced integration with the legislative processes of State Legislatures.  These initiatives are aimed at achieving a paperless legislative environment, promote real-time governance, and lead to better decision-making. The Minister also launched a new scheme of the National Youth Parliament Competition for students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools. This will strengthen the roots of democracy, and familiarise with the working of Parliament and Parliamentary institutions among the tribal students by organising National Youth Parliament Competitions annually.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri met Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology in New Delhi yesterday. In a social media post, Puri said, they discussed ways to further cement the comprehensive partnership which spans across the entire hydrocarbon value chain. He also said that he had a very extensive and fruitful meeting with Dr Jaber. The Indian Embassy in UAE, in a social media post said, on the sidelines of the visit of HH Shk Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Hon Min Hardeep Singh Puri met HE Dr. Sultan Jaber, UAE Min & MDGrp CEO ADNOC Group. They discussed the ever growing India-UAE energy partnership & signed key agreements.         The partnership between India and UAE has grown in strength and gained momentum particularly in the last decade. UAE is now India’s second largest source of crude oil imports and the third largest destination of India’s exports of petroleum products. Both the countries are also trusted partners and collaborators in other countries.

At least 11 people have been killed in the provinces of Tata, Tiznit and Errachidia in south Morocco after torrential rains battered southern Morocco.   At least nine others were missing after floods swamped many villages in the area, authorities added. The significant damage has occured with 40 homes destroyed and 93 road affected, traffic has been restored on 53 of the affected sections. The rains also disrupted electricity, drinking water supply networks, and telephone networks.   Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and heed safety warning amid the ongoing weather instability.

The 54th GST Council meeting will be held in New Delhi today. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the meeting.   The last GST Council meeting was held in June this year, in which the council had recommended a uniform rate of 12 percent GST on all steel, iron, and aluminium milk cans. The council had also recommended that services provided by the Indian Railways to the common man, including the sale of platform tickets, the facility of retiring rooms and waiting rooms, and battery-operated car services, will not attract any GST.

A total of 258 officer cadets and 39 women officer cadets were commissioned into various Arms and services of the Indian Army at the prestigious Officers Training Academy at St. Thomas Mount in Chennai. The training was also completed by 10 officer cadets and five women officer cadets from friendly foreign countries.   The parade was reviewed by Lieutenant General N.S.Raja Subramani. Following the parade, the pipping ceremony, which was attended by the parents of the cadets and the guests, echoed signs of bravery and commitment. Yesterday, the cadets had displayed their skills in various acrobats, which added colour and fervour to the completion of their training.

Dr. Arup Das is a distinguished professional based in West Bengal, holding a Bachelor of Science degree from Calcutta University. He further enhanced his qualifications with a Diploma in Tourism Hotel and Catering Management from the Indian Academy of Management, followed by a Master of Business Administration specializing in Human Resources from Sikkim Manipal University. His academic achievements culminated in a Doctorate in Human Resources, underscoring his commitment to the field. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2024 Award by the Veyil Foundation, a testament to his dedication to human rights and social welfare. Currently, Dr. Das serves at the Steel Authority of India Limited, specifically at the Durgapur Steel Plant, where he applies his extensive knowledge and skills in human resources management. His role at SAIL not only reflects his professional expertise but also his commitment to fostering a positive work environment within the industrial sector. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he holds the position of National Human Rights Convenor of India, a role that is officially registered under Government Registration Number 05253. This position allows him to advocate for human rights on a national level, further amplifying his impact in the community. Dr. Das is also actively involved in social work, focusing on the rehabilitation of vulnerable and homeless individuals by facilitating their transition to rehabilitation centers. His commitment to social service was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he initiated a community kitchen to provide meals for those in need. Additionally, he organized the distribution of essential supplies, including rations and medicines, to those affected by the crisis. Through these initiatives, Dr. Das has demonstrated a profound dedication to improving the lives of marginalized populations, reinforcing his role as a compassionate leader in both his professional and personal endeavors.

In Andhra Pradesh, the NDRF teams have rescued 350 people and evacuated around 15,000 individuals from flood-affected areas. In Telangana, 68 people have been rescued and about 3,200 evacuated. After assessing the ongoing flood situation and rescue operations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Sanjeev Kumar Jindal briefed the media today. Mr. Jindal said 26 NDRF teams, 8 IAF helicopters, and three Navy helicopters, along with a Dornier aircraft, have been mobilised in Andhra Pradesh, and seven NDRF teams and two IAF helicopters have been mobilised in Telangana.   He informed NDRF teams have rescued 350 people and evacuated around 15,000 individuals from flood-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh. In Telangana, 68 people have been rescued and about 3,200 evacuated, he added. Mr. Jindal said that NDRF teams have also provided pre-hospital treatment to many affected individuals while assisting local authorities in distributing essential food and relief materials to stranded families. He said the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy helicopters delivered around 71,000 kilogrammes of food and relief supplies to those in need. Mr. Jindal also said the central expert team visited the site where major breaches had happened and that work is being done to fix those breaches.

Tens of thousands of grieving and angry Israelis have surged into the streets after six captives were found dead in Gaza. Chanting “Now! Now!”, the crowds demanded on Sunday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home. The mass outpouring of anger appeared to be the largest such demonstration in 11 months of war. Protesters said it felt like a possible turning point, although the country remains deeply divided. Israel’s largest trade union, Histadrut, sought to raise the pressure further as it called a general strike for Monday. It aims to shut down or disrupt the main sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare and the country’s main airport. Ceasefire negotiations have dragged on for months. Many blame Netanyahu for failing to reach a deal, which opinion polls show a majority of Israelis favour. Three of the six captives who were found dead — including an Israeli American — were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a proposed ceasefire deal that was discussed in July. This fuelled fury and frustration among the protesters. The military said all six captives were killed shortly before Israeli forces reached. Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the stalled negotiations. “Whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal,” he said. Hamas has offered to release the captives in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile members of Gaza’s armed groups. Top security officials say the intense pressure on Hamas has created favourable conditions for a ceasefire deal. The army, noting the difficulty of rescue operations, has acknowledged that a deal is the only way to bring home large numbers of captives safely.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that the biofuels sector has huge potential and will play a major role in India’s agricultural and rural sectors. Mr. Gadkari said that India needs to reduce imports and increase exports to achieve the target of becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world. He made these remarks while inaugurating the India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo 2024 and the International Conference on Bio-Energy and Technologies in New Delhi, alongside Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.                                                          Mr. Puri emphasized that through the energy program, the government aims to reduce dependence on fuels, save foreign exchange, and ensure a cleaner and self-reliant future. He added that the government is prioritizing ethanol blending, compressed biogas, sustainable aviation fuel, biomass, and waste-to-energy. The minister highlighted that the country’s energy program has been a major success. He informed that the ethanol blending percentage has increased from 1.53 percent in 2014 to 15 percent in 2024. He expressed confidence that ethanol blending will reach 20 percent by October 2025 in the country.

The situation in Khammam, Mahabubabad and Suryapet districts of Telangana is particularly dire, as over Hundred villages submerged under floodwaters and many other marooned. Heavy rain continued to lash several parts of Telangana including Hyderabad. Kamareddy and Nizamabad recorded the highest rainfall of over 22 cm yesterday while the situation in Khammam is particularly dire. Hundreds of people are stranded in flood waters on hillocks, rooftops and highways due to swollen rivulets and streams following heavy rains for the past two days. Nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been pressed into service to assist in the rescue operations. Floodwaters washed away portions of railway tracks. South Central Railway has cancelled over 90 trains and diverted several others due to floods. Five trains stranded in flood water in Kazipet-Vijayawada section. State officials relocated over 5600 passengers. Vehicles stranded in kilometres of distance over the National Highways connecting Telangana with other states due to flooding. Meanwhile, the Telangana state government declared a holiday for all primary and secondary schools in Hyderabad and several other affected districts today, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of children. Hyderabad has experienced severe waterlogging and flooding, as rain continue to lash overnight. Meanwhile, the Met officials have forecast heavy rainfall for the next two days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Andhra Pradesh and Telangana chief ministers of all possible help from the Centre to deal with the crisis following heavy rains in their states. Officials said, Mr Modi spoke to the two chief ministers – N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and A Revanth Reddy of Telangana – over phone in the wake of heavy rains and floods. Heavy downpour continued to lash many parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad, yesterday. All primary and secondary schools have been closed today in Telangana. Hyderabad district collector announced the closure as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students.      Unprecedented rainfall in the past two days in Andhra Pradesh has paralysed life in several places, especially in Vijayawada and its vicinity, while 17,000 rain-affected people were evacuated from across the state.     26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are being deployed for flood relief and rescue operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. While 12 teams are already deployed in the two states, 14 more are being dispatched. Out of the 14 teams, eight are being airlifted from various locations across the country. The NDRF teams are equipped with inflatable boats, pole and tree cutters and basic medical aid tools. Torrential rains battered the two states for the second consecutive day yesterday. As many as 99 trains were cancelled, four trains were partially cancelled and 54 were diverted due to heavy rains and waterlogging over tracks at multiple locations on the South Central Railway network.

Smriti Ramisetty, a distinguished figure from Telangana, has been awarded the esteemed National Literature Award for 2024, an honor presented by the Indian Literature & Arts Society. This accolade recognizes her significant contributions to English poetry and article writing, underscoring her exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to the literary domain. The award not only marks a personal triumph for Ramisetty but also reflects the flourishing literary scene emerging from her home state, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry that Telangana offers. Renowned for her aesthetically compelling poetry, Smriti Ramisetty has captivated audiences with her ability to blend intricate imagery and profound themes within her work. Her verses resonate deeply with readers, setting her apart in the competitive realm of contemporary literature. Furthermore, her articles are distinguished by their engagement with pressing social issues, demonstrating her keen awareness of the complexities that characterize modern society. This dual emphasis on artistic expression and social relevance highlights her versatility and depth as a writer, allowing her to connect with a diverse audience. The recognition bestowed upon Smriti Ramisetty by the Indian Literature & Arts Society not only honors her individual accomplishments but also emphasizes the vital role of literature in fostering cultural dialogue and social awareness. As she continues to inspire through her literary contributions, her work serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of words in promoting understanding and inciting change. The National Literature Award 2024 represents a pivotal moment in her career, opening new avenues for exploration and creativity in her future literary pursuits. Smriti Ramisetty's poetry showcases her remarkable talent as a writer, capturing the essence of emotions and experiences with a unique flair. Her ability to weave words into beautiful verses not only highlights her skill but also reflects her deep understanding of the human condition. Each poem resonates with readers, inviting them to explore the intricate layers of meaning and emotion embedded within her work. As a significant contributor to Indian English literature, particularly in the realm of poetry, Smriti Ramisetty stands out as a true gem. Her writing transcends cultural boundaries, offering insights that are both personal and universal. Through her verses, she brings forth a fresh perspective that enriches the literary landscape, making her an invaluable asset to the world of poetry. The impact of Smriti Ramisetty's work extends beyond mere words on a page; it inspires and connects with a diverse audience. Her poems not only celebrate the beauty of language but also provoke thought and reflection, encouraging readers to engage with the themes she explores. In this way, she not only contributes to the literary community but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the art of poetry in Indian English literature.