THE HEADLINES:
- President Droupadi Murmu says, India not only protects Human rights but also celebrates; Addresses commemoration of Human Rights Day 2025.
- Lok Sabha resumes debate on Election Reforms; Home Minister Amit Shah to reply to the discussion.
- Deepavali, included in UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; Nation hails global recognition.
- US based Amazon announces to invest 35 billion dollar in India by 2030.
- Belgium’s top court rejects Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi’s appeal against arrest on extradition request by New Delhi.
- And in Squash World Cup, hosts India defeat Switzerland 4-0 in their Pool B opener in Chennai.
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President Droupadi Murmu today said that India is committed to being a nation where Human Rights are not only protected but also celebrated. Addressing Human Rights Day 2025 and the National Conference on Ensuring Everyday Essentials in New Delhi, the President emphasised that dignity is non-negotiable and that no one should be deprived of their rights. President Murmu highlighted that Human Rights Day forms the backdrop of a just, equitable and compassionate society. Ms Murmu added that Justice must remain the birthright of every person in India.
The President added that India played an important role in shaping the global framework of Human Rights.
Human Rights Day, being celebrated since 1950, commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The Day is observed annually on the 10th December.
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Lok Sabha has resumed the discussion on election reforms. Participating in the discussion, Congress leader K C Venugopal said, the right to vote is a fundamental principle of democracy. He alleged that the Election Commission is becoming partisan. Mr Venugopal also alleged that just before the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the accounts of the Congress party were frozen citing a delay in filing income tax returns. He also spoke about the large-scale deletion of voters in Bihar.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, whenever the Opposition loses, they raise questions about the electoral process.
He said even after so many rallies in Bihar by Congress and criticizing the SIR, it only managed to win just a few seats in Assembly polls.
Manish Tewari of Congress had initiated the discussion in the lower House yesterday.
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Rajya Sabha resumes further discussion 150th Anniversary of Song Vande Mataram. Yesterday, initiating the discussion Mr Shah stressed that the song will remain relevant in nation’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.
Participating in the discussion, Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said Congress made Vande Mataram, the slogan during the freedom struggle. He said, when Mahatma Gandhi started the non-cooperation movement, lakhs of freedom fighters from the Congress went to jail chanting Vande Mataram.
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The Government today said that it has expanded the postal network in the country with 10 thousand 170 post offices in the last 11 years. Replying to supplementaries in Lok Sabha during question Hour, Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia said, India post system is the largest postal system in the world and there are one lakh 64 thousand post offices across the country. He said, around 2.78 lakh gramin Dak Sevak are working day and night to deliver services.
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The Government has said that the work of 160 railway stations has been completed under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Lok Sabha today, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, more than one thousand 300 stations have been identified for development under the scheme.
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Deepavali, one of India’s foremost cultural and spiritual festivals, has been included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity today. Announcing this, Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this is an emotional moment for every Indian. He said that Deepavali is not just celebrated but it is felt, lived and absorbed across the generations. Mr Shekhawat highlighted that this recognition is not merely an honour but a responsibility to ensure that Deepawali remains as a living heritage.
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Vice President CP Radhakrishnan has welcomed UNESCO’s decision to inscribe Deepavali on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list today. In a social media post, Mr Radhakrishnan said that this global recognition is a profound moment of pride for every citizen of the country. He said that Deepavali is not just a festival but a civilisational phenomenon that unites the nation and resonates across the world.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that people in India and across the world are thrilled with the inclusion of Deepavali in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List today. In a social media post, Mr Modi stated that Deepavali is deeply connected to India’s culture and ethos and called the festival the soul of the country’s civilisation. He added that the festival symbolises illumination and righteousness, and its addition to the UNESCO list will further enhance its global recognition and popularity. The Prime Minister wished that the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram continue to guide humanity for eternity.
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US-based tech giant Amazon has announced to invest 35 billion dollar in India by 2030. Senior VP Emerging Markets of Amazon Amit Agarwal announced this today at the 6th edition of Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi. He added that the investment aligns with Amazon’s growth with the vision of Viksit Bharat. He also highlighted that it will generate an additional 1 million direct, indirect, and seasonal jobs. The investment will focus on expanding AI capabilities, enhance logistics infrastructure, and creating jobs, thereby supporting small businesses.
Earlier, another tech giant Microsoft announced its pledge to invest more than 17 billion dollars to build the infrastructure, skills, and sovereign capabilities for India’s AI-first future.
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Pravasi Rajasthani Diwas is being celebrated in Jaipur today, with participation from Non-Resident Rajasthanis from across India and abroad. The event aims to connect NR Rajasthanis with their cultural roots and ensure their contribution to the State’s development. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that Rajasthan is a land of immense opportunities, offering vast potential for trade and industry. He added that Pravasi Rajasthanis have made a name for themselves across the country and the world, yet they have always remained connected to their roots.
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Union Health Ministry, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, today rolled out a month-long Delhi Metro campaign on Women’s and Girls’ Health and well-being in New Delhi. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the campaign aims to reach millions of commuters with messages displayed on metro trains and select stations.
Speaking on the occasion, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that a family or a nation cannot truly progress unless women are healthy.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today recalled the valour of all those who were a part of the Assam Movement on the occasion of Swahid Diwas. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that the movement will always have a prime place in the nation’s history. Mr Modi also reiterated India’s commitment to fulfilling the dreams of those who participated in the Assam Movement, notably the strengthening of Assam’s culture and the all-round progress of the state.
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The 26th edition of Nagaland’s famed Hornbill Festival – the “Festival of Festivals” – draws to a grand close this evening at Unity Plaza, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
“At 5 PM, the curtains will fall on ten spectacular days of culture, colour, and global participation. This year’s closing ceremony will be graced by Special Guests, including Arunachal Pradesh Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Malta to India, Reuben Gauci, and Ireland’s Deputy Ambassador to India, Raymond Mullen. Cultural highlights tonight include a special presentation by the Task Force for Music & Arts, followed by the traditional lighting of the bonfire – symbolising the formal end of this year’s celebrations. As the flames of the bonfire rise tonight, the Hornbill Festival once again reinforces its legacy – honouring Nagaland’s rich tribal heritage and strengthening its cultural ties with the world. Asonuo, Akashvani News, Kohima.”
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Belgium’s top court has rejected Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi’s appeal against his arrest in Antwerp based on an extradition request by New Delhi. The Belgian Court of Cassation heard Choksi’s plea at Brussels yesterday and ruled in India’s favour.
Choksi is being held in a prison in Antwerp since April this year following his arrest at India’s request. He is accused of six bank frauds between 2018 and 2022 involving amounts totalling nearly 13,000 crore rupees.
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In Squash, India defeated debutants Switzerland 4-0 in their Pool B opener of the Squash World Cup 2025, opening their campaign in style at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai. India, who won bronze in 2023, will play against Brazil tomorrow in their upcoming group encounter.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, were trading on a negative note in afternoon trade today. The Sensex dipped 45 points to 84 thousand and 621, while the Nifty slipped 20 points to 25 thousand 818, when reports last came in. On the sectoral front, Services, PSU Bank and IT were dragging the most, while buying interest was seen in Metal, Commodities, and Utilities.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions at isolated places over Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, North Interior Karnataka, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and West Madhya Pradesh till tomorrow. IMD also predicted dense fog conditions in parts of East Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and North- eastern States during the next 2 days.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has been registered in the Poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the region was recorded at 262 as of 1 PM today.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- President Droupadi Murmu says, India not only protects Human rights but also celebrates; Addresses commemoration of Human Rights Day 2025.
- Lok Sabha resumes debate on Election Reforms; Home Minister Amit Shah to reply to the discussion.
- Deepavali, included in UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; Nation hails global recognition.
- US based Amazon announces to invest 35 billion dollar in India by 2030.
- Belgium’s top court rejects Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi’s appeal against arrest on extradition request by New Delhi.
- And in Squash World Cup, hosts India defeat Switzerland 4-0 in their Pool B opener in Chennai.
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