Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today
The Hindu
The Budget session of Parliament begins today with the maiden address of President Droupadi Murmu to
The Budget session of Parliament begins today with the maiden address of President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of both Houses. While the government’s priority will be to seek approval on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address and the Finance Bill, the Opposition is raring to corner it on a range of issues, including the Adani-Hindenburg row, a nationwide caste-based economic census and the women’s reservation bill.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday inaugurated Udyan Utsav-2023 — the opening of the Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens, including the rechristened ‘Amrit Udyan’, for the public. The iconic Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was renamed Amrit Udyan on Saturday.
The Supreme Court is on January 31 scheduled to examine whether petitions challenging the validity of electoral bonds scheme need to be referred to a Constitution Bench. The petitions, which have been in limbo for about eight years, allege that the scheme has opened the doors for anonymous donations to political parties days before polls are due.
From jowar vegetable upma to ragi dosa, ‘bajre ki tikki’ to ‘bajra khichdi’ -- these food items made of millets will now be part of the menu of Parliament House canteens. As the government is promoting the use of millets, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has made arrangements for serving the dishes made primarily with ragi, jowar, bajra, rajgira and kangni to MPs, staff and visitors during the budget session starting January 31.
Most Adani group shares extended their sharp falls on Monday as the Indian conglomerate’s rebuttal of a U.S. short-seller’s criticism failed to pacify investors, driving stock market losses for the companies to $66 billion over three days. Flagship Adani Enterprises, which is facing a crucial test this week with a follow-on share offering, rose 4%, but was off initial gains of as much as 10% and significantly below the offer price.
Chennai is all set to host the first G20 Education Working Group meeting on February 1 and 2 and as a precursor a seminar on the ‘Role of Digital Technology in Education’ - a unique initiative under India’s Presidency, will be held at the IIT Madras Research Park on Tuesday. The seminar will set the agenda for further discussions and deliberations for the meeting.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will leave for a three-day tour of Birbhum, Malda and Purba Bardhaman districts on Monday to review the administrative works there, an official said. She will also speak to Trinamool Congress workers during her tour, he said.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.