Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

22 Feb

Ex-RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Appointed Principal Secretary to PM Modi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaPM Modi, Principal Secretary, RBI Governor, Shaktikanta Das

New Delhi, February 22, 2025 – Former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has been appointed as the second Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His tenure will be co-terminus with the Prime Minister’s term, as per the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.Das, who stepped down as RBI Governor in December 2024, will now serve alongside PK Mishra, the current Principal Secretary to the PM. Das’ Legacy in Governance and Finance A 1980-batch IAS officer, Das has had an extensive career in governance, especially in finance, taxation, industries, and infrastructure. He played a key role in implementing GST in 2017 and…

22 Feb

ED Slaps ₹344 Crore Penalty on BBC’s Indian Subsidiary for Alleged FEMA Violations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBBC

New Delhi (National Times): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has imposed a substantial penalty of ₹344 crore on the Indian subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The penalty follows a detailed investigation into the financial dealings of BBC World Service India Pvt. Ltd. Alleged FEMA Violations According to the ED, the BBC’s Indian arm was found guilty of improper fund routing and non-compliance with FEMA regulations. The probe indicated that the company failed to follow the required procedures for foreign exchange transactions, resulting in the hefty penalty. The ED’s action…

22 Feb

“Pakistan Will Make India See Stars in Broad Daylight!” – Sehar Shinwari Ahead of High-Stakes Clash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsIND vs PAK, India vs Pakistan, Pakistan, Sehar Shinwari

New Delhi (National Times): With just hours to go before the India vs Pakistan showdown in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistani actress Sehar Shinwari has made a bold prediction. Known for her strong support of the Pakistan cricket team, Shinwari confidently claimed that Pakistan will defeat India in the crucial match on February 23. Taking to social media, she declared: "Pakistan is baar India ko din mein taarey dikhaney wali hai!" (This time, Pakistan will make India see stars in broad daylight!) The upcoming clash in Dubai is a must-win game for Pakistan, making the stakes even higher. While…

21 Feb

PM Modi: Indian Languages Enrich Each Other, No Animosity Among Them

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndian languages, Language unity, Marathi, PM Modi

New Delhi, February 21, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that Indian languages have always influenced and enriched one another, dismissing any notion of animosity between them. He urged people to stay away from misconceptions that create linguistic divisions, reinforcing that all Indian languages are mainstream.Speaking at the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan at Vigyan Bhavan, Modi highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting education in regional languages, including Marathi. He underscored efforts to change the bias against non-English speakers, ensuring that students can pursue higher education, including engineering and medicine, in their mother tongues. Marathi's Rich Legacy in…

21 Feb

PCB Seeks Explanation from ICC Over Champions Trophy Branding Omission

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsChampions Trophy 2025, ICC branding controversy, Pakistan host rights, PCB vs ICC

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has raised concerns with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the absence of Pakistan’s name from the Champions Trophy 2025 branding during the live broadcast of India’s match against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday.During the telecast, the logo displayed in the top left corner showed only “Champions Trophy 2025”, without mentioning Pakistan as the host nation. This sparked controversy, given that Pakistan was officially awarded the tournament. ICC Blames "Technical Error" Sources suggest that the ICC informally attributed the omission to an early technical glitch rather than an intentional exclusion. However, the PCB has sought…

21 Feb

Punjab to Regulate Dog Breeders, Pet Shops for Animal Welfare

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabAnimal welfare, Dog breeders, Pet shops, Punjab government

Chandigarh, February 21, 2025 – In a major step towards preventing animal cruelty, the Punjab government has made it mandatory for all dog breeders and pet shops to register under the Pashu Bhalai Board Punjab.The decision was announced during a board meeting chaired by Animal Husbandry Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian at the Livestock Complex in SAS Nagar (Mohali). Ensuring Humane Treatment of Animals Khudian stated that all breeders and pet shops must comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2016. The aim is to eliminate unethical breeding practices, regulate pet sales, and ensure animal…

21 Feb

Maharashtra Politics Heats Up as Eknath Shinde Warns Rivals

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsCM Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Government

Mumbai, February 21, 2025 – Signs of growing tension within Maharashtra’s BJP-led Mahayuti government surfaced again on Friday as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde issued a strong warning to his political opponents.Shinde, who had expected to become chief minister after the alliance’s sweeping victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, made it clear that he should not be taken lightly. "I Toppled a Government Before" – Shinde Addressing reporters, the Shiv Sena chief reminded everyone of his 2022 rebellion, which led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.“In 2022, I toppled those who underestimated me…

21 Feb

Mount Everest Snow Cover Shrinks by 150 Metres, Indicating Warmer Winters

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsFalling Snowline, Mt Everest, Nepal

Kathmandu, February 21, 2025 – Snow cover atop Mount Everest has retreated by 150 metres, signaling a lack of snow accumulation during the winter of 2024-25, researchers have observed. Rising Snow Line Signals Climate Shift NASA satellite images from October 2023 to early January 2025 reveal a steady rise in the snow line, glaciologist Mauri Pelto wrote in a blog post on February 2. This trend, seen in both 2024 and 2025, suggests that snowfall is failing to persist, even at high elevations.Mount Everest, at 8,849 metres, is the highest point on Earth, straddling Nepal and Tibet. The snow line…

21 Feb

Trudeau Fires Back at Trump After Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off Victory Over Team USA

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Justin Trudeau, USA

Calgary (National Times): Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a jab at US President Donald Trump on Thursday after Team Canada secured a 3-2 overtime victory against Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game held in Boston, Massachusetts. Following the win, Trudeau posted on X: "You can't take our country — and you can't take our game." His remark was seen as a direct response to Trump’s repeated comments referring to Canada as the “51st state”, calling Trudeau its “governor,” and even suggesting that hockey icon Wayne Gretzky should run for Prime Minister. Trade Tensions Mount Between Canada and…

21 Feb

Fact Check: No USAID Funds Were Sent to India for ‘Voter Turnout’; $21 Million Was for Bangladesh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBangladesh, USAID

Chandigarh: A recent claim by former US President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) regarding $21 million in USAID funds allegedly allocated for voter turnout in India has sparked controversy, particularly within India's political landscape. However, official records confirm that the funding was actually designated for Bangladesh, not India. What Was Claimed? On February 16, DOGE announced the cancellation of several USAID-funded projects, including "$21 million for voter turnout in India." This claim was amplified by Trump himself during a speech in Miami, where he questioned, “Why do we need to spend $21 million for voter turnout…