India Archives - Page 22 of 297

20 Jul

Government Pauses Plans to Raise Ethanol Blending Beyond 20 Per Cent, Citing Scientific Analysis

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiabiofuel policy, carbon emissions, ethanol blending, petrol infrastructure, Rajya Sabha, Suresh Gopi

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The central government has not yet taken any decision to increase ethanol blending in petrol past the existing 20 per cent cap, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. In a written submission, the minister clarified that any prospective expansion of the blending threshold would only be enacted following detailed scientific and technical evaluations alongside extensive consultations with automotive manufacturers, oil marketing companies, and research institutions. India achieved its benchmark 20 per cent blending goal five years ahead of its original target timeline, with average blending expanding…

20 Jul

Sonam Wangchuk Pledges to Continue Indefinite Fast From Hospital Until Protesting Youth Meet MPs

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaHunger Strike, Parliament march, Safdarjung Hospital, Sonam Wangchuk, student protest

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk declared on Monday that he will persist with his indefinite hunger strike, which has entered its 23rd day, until the government fulfills his conditions regarding the protesting youth. Writing from his bed at Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk stated that his decision to continue the fast follows the severe force and brutality deployed by law enforcement against peaceful youth demonstrators in the national capital. The activist has vowed to maintain his fast until youth representatives are officially permitted to meet with Members of Parliament inside Sansad Bhawan or, alternatively, are allowed unhindered access to…

20 Jul

Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann Slam Centre Over Lathi-Charge on Student Protesters at Jantar Mantar

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal strongly condemned the lathi-charge on students and young aspirants protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding reforms in the education and examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Stating that lakhs of young people had gathered in the national capital seeking justice, the former Delhi Chief Minister said the government had chosen to respond with force instead of dialogue. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set aside arrogance, listen to the country’s youth, and address their anger before it deepens further. During his…

20 Jul

Centre Opens Dialogue With CJP as Party Delegation Heads to Meet JP Nadda

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJP Nadda

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In a significant development amid the ongoing protests demanding examination reforms, the Centre on Monday initiated formal talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with a two-member delegation scheduled to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda later in the day. The party confirmed that Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka will represent the protesters during the discussions, marking the first official interaction between the government and the movement's leadership since the demonstrations began. According to sources, government representatives first established contact through New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, proposing discussions at…

20 Jul

Protesters Ready for Talks as Administration Makes Contact; Sonam Wangchuk Continues Fast

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingSonam Wangchuk

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Efforts to break the deadlock between the administration and protesters appear to be gathering pace after officials reached out to initiate discussions, according to Climate Justice Party (CJP) Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das. While welcoming the move, Das said the protesters are still waiting for a definitive response from the government before formal negotiations can begin. Addressing the media, Das said the group has sought dialogue since the protest began and remains prepared to engage in meaningful discussions. He added that although the administration's outreach came after a considerable delay, the protesters have responded positively. "We have…

20 Jul

Fresh Legal Battle Over Sonam Wangchuk’s Hospitalisation as Wife Seeks Right to Choose Medical Care

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingSonam Wangchuk

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The legal dispute surrounding activist Sonam Wangchuk's hospitalisation has intensified, with his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, filing a fresh appeal before the Delhi High Court against an order that allowed his continued treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. The appeal argues that Wangchuk should be free to decide where he receives medical care and that neither he nor his family should be denied that choice. The challenge comes after a Single Judge declined to direct the activist's discharge from the government hospital, where he was admitted after being removed from his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Angmo has…

20 Jul

AISA Suspends 23-Day Hunger Strike as Opposition Backs Students’ Education Reform Demands

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAISA, Hunger Strike

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A 23-day indefinite hunger strike led by three members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) at Jantar Mantar came to an end on Monday after a delegation of Opposition leaders and prominent public figures urged the students to conclude their fast, assuring them that their demands would be taken up in Parliament. The protest, led by student leaders Neha, Manish and Aameen, sought greater accountability in the education system, with a focus on the National Testing Agency (NTA), the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the role of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The students…

20 Jul

Stormy Monsoon Session Expected as Government Pushes Bills, Opposition Readies Sharp Offensive

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingParliament

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma/Gurpreet Singh): The Monsoon Session of Parliament is expected to witness intense exchanges from its opening day, with the ruling NDA and the Opposition gearing up for a confrontation over a range of political and public interest issues. Ahead of the session, the Centre held an all-party meeting to seek cooperation for the smooth conduct of parliamentary business. While the government emphasised the need for productive debates and timely passage of legislation, Opposition parties outlined several issues they intend to raise during the proceedings. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to political parties to ensure meaningful discussions…

19 Jul

Type 2 Diabetes Increases Risk of Severe Dengue Complications, Experts Urge Routine Vaccination

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaCytokine storm, Dengue complications, diabetes, Jothydev Kesavadev, vaccination

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Individuals living with Type 2 diabetes face a significantly elevated risk of developing severe, life-threatening complications from dengue fever, according to a newly released review paper compiled by leading medical specialists. The comprehensive paper, scheduled for publication in the International Journal of Diabetes & Technology, strongly advocates for the integration of dengue vaccination into routine diabetes care protocols to safeguard vulnerable groups residing in dengue-endemic regions. The critical findings of the study were formally shared with the media on Sunday. Led by prominent diabetologist Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev, the review was co-authored by several leading diabetes experts…

19 Jul

Ahead of Monsoon Session, Centre Seeks Cooperation from Opposition; All-Party Meeting Ends in Walkout

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingMonsoon Session

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): With the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to begin shortly, the Central government on Sunday urged political parties to work together to ensure productive proceedings. The appeal came during an all-party meeting convened to discuss the legislative agenda, but the gathering witnessed a dramatic exit by opposition leaders over the participation of certain rebel Members of Parliament. Following the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was looking forward to a meaningful session where all elected representatives could raise public issues and engage in constructive discussions. He noted that several important bills and policy…