Kolkata Grapples with Severe Flooding and Casualties Following Torrential Rains
Kolkata and its suburbs experienced one of the wettest September days on record, with torrential overnight rains leading to severe flooding across the city. The downpour, which registered 251.4mm in 24 hours, marks the city's third-highest single-day rainfall in September since 1978, and the sixth-highest overall. The unprecedented waterlogging resulted in nine reported deaths due to electrocution. The West Bengal government has declared holidays for schools and colleges on September 24 and 25 to mitigate the impact of the flooding. Flights were cancelled, and transport was severely disrupted, with the opposition criticizing the state government over the handling of the crisis.,
India Prepares for Largest Drone and Counter-Drone Drill
India is gearing up to conduct its biggest drone and counter-drone drill, referred to as 'Operation Sindoor' or 'Cold Start', in October., This joint exercise, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, aims to test advanced drone technologies and counter-drone systems, signifying a major step in bolstering the nation's defence capabilities. This comes as the Indian Navy continues to scale up indigenous shipbuilding efforts, with 54 vessels currently under construction.
Supreme Court to Hear Petitions on Women's Reservation Act Implementation
The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions challenging the implementation timeline of the Women's Reservation Act. Petitioners are seeking quicker enforcement of the Act, advocating for its application before the 2029 general elections. This hearing is a crucial development in the ongoing debate surrounding women's representation in legislative bodies.
RBI Projects 6.5% GDP Growth for FY25; New GST Changes Announced
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected a robust Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 6.5% for the current financial year (FY25), attributing this resilience to strong domestic demand. Meanwhile, the Centre has introduced significant changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST 2.0), which are anticipated to boost India's GDP by nearly ā¹20 lakh crore. These sweeping tax rate cuts, effective from September 22, are expected to pass on benefits to consumers, with the government urging citizens to report any instances where these benefits are not being transferred.,
IIT Bombay to Lead 'Mission Daksha' for Advanced Space Telescopes
IIT Bombay will spearhead 'Mission Daksha', an ambitious initiative aimed at developing satellites equipped with the world's most powerful telescopes. The mission's primary objective is to study gamma-ray bursts emanating from deep space, marking a significant advancement in India's space exploration and scientific research capabilities.
India Inaugurates First Overseas Defence Facility in Morocco
In a significant move to expand its global defence footprint, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Tata Group's combat vehicle plant in Morocco, marking India's first overseas defence manufacturing facility.,, This initiative underscores India's growing capabilities in defence production and its strategic partnerships on the international stage.
PM Modi Launches Infrastructure Projects in Arunachal Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched infrastructure projects worth ā¹5,100 crore in Arunachal Pradesh, focusing on hydropower, roads, convention centres, and healthcare., These projects aim to boost development and connectivity in the strategically important northeastern state.,
US H-1B Visa Fee Hike and Proposed Changes Draw Criticism
The Trump administration's sharp hike in H-1B visa fees and potential changes to the lottery system have drawn considerable criticism in India.,,, The proposed replacement of the current lottery system with a weighted selection process, along with a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions, is expected to significantly impact Indian applicants and has been defended by US President Donald Trump as a measure to protect American jobs.,, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the move, linking it to Trump's domestic political agenda.