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Glittering Night at 69th Filmfare Awards 2024: Bollywood’s Finest Shine in Gujarat

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The 69th Filmfare Awards 2024 unfolded on January 28 in the scenic city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, featuring the crème de la crème of Bollywood. In a star-studded affair hosted by Karan Johar, the two-day event witnessed a separate ceremony for Technical Awards on Saturday, followed by the main awards presentation on Sunday. Among the big winners of the night, Ranbir Kapoor’s “Animal” and Vikrant Massey’s “12th Fail” claimed top honors, with Alia Bhatt bagging the Best Actor award for “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.” List of Filmfare Awards 2024 Winners: Best Film (Popular): “12th Fail” Best Film (Critics): “Joram” Best Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra (“12th Fail”) Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male): Ranbir Kapoor (“Animal”) Best Actor (Critics): Vikrant Massey (“12th Fail”) Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female): Alia Bhatt (“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”) Best Actress (Critics): Rani Mukerji (“Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway”), Shefali Shah (“Three of Us”) Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Vicky Kaushal (“Dunki”) Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Shabana Azmi (“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”) Best Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya (“Tere Vaaste”) Best Music Album: “Animal” Best Playback Singer (Male): Bhupinder Babbal (“Animal”) Best Playback Singer (Female): Shilpa Rao (“Pathaan”) Best Story: Amit Rai (“OMG 2”), Devashish Makhija (“Joram”) Best Screenplay: Vidhu Vinod Chopra (“12th Fail”) Best Dialogue: Ishita Moitra (“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”) Best Background Score: Harshvardhan Rameshwar (“Animal”) Best Cinematography: Avinash Arun Dhaware (“Three of Us”) Best Production Design: Subrata Chakraborty, Amit Ray (“Sam Bahadur”) Best Costume Design: Sachin Lovelekar, Divvya Gambhir, Nidhhi Gambhir (“Sam Bahadur”) Best Sound Design: Kunal Sharma (MPSE) (“Sam Bahadur”), Sync Cinema (“Animal”) Best Editing: Jaskunwar Singh Kohli- Vidhu Vinod Chopra (“12th Fail”) Best Action: Spiro Razatos, Anl Arasu, Craig MacRae, Yannick Ben, Kecha Khamphakdee, Sunil Rodrigues (“Jawan”) Best VFX: Red Chillies VFX (“Jawan”) Best Choreography: Ganesh Acharya (“What Jhumka?- Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”) Best Debut Director: Tarun Dudeja (“Dhak Dhak”) Best Debut Male: Aditya Rawal (“Faraaz”) Best Debut Female: Alizeh Agnihotri (“Farrey”) Lifetime Achievement Award: David Dhawan The awards ceremony showcased stellar performances by Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Kartik Aaryan, making it a night to remember for the Bollywood fraternity and fans alike.

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Indian National Receives 9-Year Sentence for $2.8 Million Medicare Fraud

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The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that Yogesh K Pancholi, a 43-year-old Indian national and resident of Michigan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for orchestrating a $2.8 million healthcare fraud through his company, Shring Home Care Inc. According to court documents, Pancholi, despite being excluded from billing Medicare, covertly acquired Shring, utilizing the names, signatures, and personal information of others to conceal his ownership. Over a span of two months, Pancholi and his accomplices allegedly submitted false claims to Medicare, resulting in an illicit gain of nearly $2.8 million for services that were never rendered. Federal prosecutors asserted that Pancholi further complicated the scheme by transferring the fraudulently obtained funds through bank accounts associated with shell corporations, eventually channeling them into accounts in India. This elaborate money trail aimed to obfuscate the origins of the ill-gotten gains. In an attempt to evade legal consequences, Pancholi, upon indictment, resorted to deceptive tactics. Using a pseudonym, he allegedly composed false and malicious emails to various federal government agencies, accusing a government witness of criminal activities. This ploy was strategically timed on the eve of the trial, with the apparent intention of dissuading the witness from testifying against him. The legal proceedings surrounding Pancholi’s healthcare fraud case highlight the gravity of fraudulent activities and the intricate efforts employed to conceal such financial misdeeds. As the justice system addresses this case, it serves as a reminder of the consequences individuals face when engaging in healthcare fraud and attempting to manipulate the legal process.

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Finance Minister Unveils Ambitious Economic Reforms in Interim Budget for 2024-25

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined a comprehensive set of economic reforms aimed at driving growth in India, presenting the interim budget for 2024-25. This budget is deemed as an economic manifesto for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is expected to provide crucial insights into the government’s plans for fiscal consolidation, borrowings, and future taxation policies in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a series of major initiatives aimed at driving economic growth and addressing societal challenges. Here are the key initiatives highlighted in the budget: Capital Spending Boost: The capital spending for the fiscal year 2024-25 sees a substantial 11% increase, reaching ₹11.11 lakh crore, equivalent to 3.4% of the GDP. This boost is expected to have a multiplier effect on economic growth and employment. Aviation Sector: Indian air carriers have placed orders for 1,000 new aircraft, signaling a significant move to strengthen the aviation industry. Deep Tech for Defense: A new scheme is set to be launched to strengthen deep tech capabilities in the defense sector, showcasing the government’s commitment to technological advancements in national security. Agricultural Investments: The government plans to promote both public and private investments in post-harvesting agriculture activities. Additionally, the application of nano Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) on various crops will be expanded across different agri-climatic zones. Railway Infrastructure: Three major railway corridors, including one dedicated to cement transportation, will be constructed. Additionally, 40,000 normal railway bogies will undergo conversion to meet the Vande Bharat standard. GDP Redefined: Minister Sitharaman introduced a new definition for GDP, focusing on governance, development, and performance as the key components. Skill India Mission: Over 1.4 crore youth were trained and upskilled under the Skill India Mission, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing employability through skill development programs. Macroeconomic Stability: Sitharaman emphasized macroeconomic stability, assuring that the country’s economy is on a positive trajectory. Inclusive Focus: The budget reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing systemic inequalities, with a specific emphasis on outcomes for the poor, women, youth, and farmers. Sitharaman emphasized a focus on outcomes rather than outlays. Foreign Investment Encouragement: Measures were proposed to encourage sustained foreign investment, including negotiating bilateral investment treaties. Rs. 75,000 crores will be provided as interest-free loans to support milestone-linked reforms by state governments. Societal Changes: A high-powered committee will be formed to comprehensively address challenges arising from population growth and demographic changes, providing recommendations for comprehensive solutions. Tax Proposals: In a move aimed at the upcoming elections, Sitharaman proposed the withdrawal of all pending tax demands up to ₹25,000 until 2009-10 and ₹10,000 until 2014-15, benefiting 10 million taxpayers. The income tax rates remained unchanged, reflecting confidence in the overall economic scenario. Fiscal Deficit: The budget showcased a better-than-expected fiscal deficit of 5.8%, with a target of 5.1% in 2024-25, a development welcomed by experts. Transformative Initiatives: The budget outlined transformative initiatives spanning various sectors, including rooftop solarisation, electric vehicle charging, post-harvest activities, housing for the middle class, expansion of medical colleges, vaccination for girls, comprehensive maternal and child healthcare program, and extension of Ayushman Bharat coverage. The comprehensive set of initiatives unveiled in the interim budget reflects the government’s commitment to steering the economy towards a robust and resilient future.

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Biden Administration in Ongoing Talks with U.S. Congress on High-Altitude Drone Deal Amid Pannun Investigation Concerns

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In a diplomatic development, the Biden administration is actively engaged in discussions with the U.S. Congress regarding the high-altitude drone deal, which was initially announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in 2023. Contrary to expectations of a routine approval, a report from online news portal The Wire suggests that certain U.S. lawmakers have put a hold on the deal, linking it to concerns surrounding the Pannun investigation. The U.S. Embassy in India responded to the report, stating that the administration “continues to discuss with U.S. Congress the potential sale consistent with standard processes and policies guiding such arm sales decisions.” While indicating that Congressional clearance is still in progress, the response did not deny the reported hold on the sale by one or more U.S. lawmakers. As part of the standard process, the State Department routinely engages foreign affairs committees before formal notification to address questions from committee staff, according to a U.S. Embassy spokesperson. The report surfaced following a recent visit to Delhi by senior U.S. State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu, emphasizing the need for India to show progress in the high-level enquiry committee related to the Pannun case. The investigation, led by the FBI and DEA, resulted in a charge-sheet against Indian national Nikhil Gupta. The case involves an alleged plot to target Khalistani separatists in the U.S. and Canada on behalf of a senior Indian security official. The case has drawn international attention, with U.S. lawmakers criticizing the Modi government during a Senate committee hearing in December 2023. While the Arms Export Control Act provisions were suggested to restrict arms transfers to countries engaged in acts of intimidation, the objections over the drone deal remain undisclosed due to the secrecy around the process. The deal for 31 MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is estimated to cost India over $3 billion and is a significant component of the high-tech collaborations between the two countries. The MQ-9B drones, aimed at bolstering the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces, are part of key technological deals between the U.S. and India. The ongoing negotiations and concerns highlight the complexity of international arms deals and their intersection with geopolitical considerations.

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India Witnesses Remarkable Surge in Employable Youth, DEA Highlights Transformative Skill Development

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In a significant development, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) has reported a substantial increase in the percentage of employable youth in India. According to the January 2024 review of the economy, the employable percentage of final-year and pre-final-year students has risen from 33.9% in 2014 to an impressive 51.3% in 2024. This positive trend is attributed to the concerted efforts in mass skilling initiatives since 2014. The DEA’s report underscores the transformative journey in skill development witnessed in India over the last decade. The push for skilling has begun to yield dividends, creating ample scope to integrate skilling into the education curriculum and upskill a significant portion of the existing workforce with future-relevant skills. The report also highlights India’s notable progress in WorldSkills Competitions, moving from the 39th position in 2011 to the 11th position in 2022. This across-the-board advancement in skilling, coupled with the rising enrolment in higher education, reflects the expanding and increasingly employable young workforce in India. Noteworthy statistics from the report include India’s 50.2% of men and 41% of women with ten or more years of schooling in the 15-49 age group. The DEA sees an opportunity to leverage the education-skill continuum as a powerful tool for the Indian Miracle by focusing on the youth who can benefit from finishing schools for enhanced employability. Under the National Education Policy, 2020, the report emphasizes the special focus on vocational education and skill development. Integrating vocational education with general education and mainstreaming vocational education are identified as key reforms in the country’s education system. Despite these advancements, the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2022-23 reveals that 72.6% of workers aged 15-59 years did not receive any formal or informal vocational or technical training. To address this gap, the report highlights the recent launch of the Skill India Digital platform, serving as the digital public infrastructure for the skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystem. This initiative is seen as a significant step toward enhancing the ease of acquiring skills in India.

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British Columbia Takes Bold Steps to Curb Exploitation of Foreign Students

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In a bid to eliminate exploitative practices and ensure the well-being of international students, the province of British Columbia in Canada has announced stringent measures to crack down on misuse within the international student system. Following Ontario’s lead, British Columbia aims to protect students and strengthen the quality of post-secondary education by implementing new safeguards. Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Selina Robinson emphasized the province’s commitment to taking action against bad actors preying on international students. The announced measures include a two-year pause on approvals for new post-secondary institutions seeking to enroll international students. Additionally, British Columbia will conduct more frequent inspections of private post-secondary institutions to ensure compliance with quality standards and adequate support for students. Private degree programs will face higher standards for approval, encompassing criteria such as degree quality, demonstrated labor-market need for graduates, and sufficient resources and student support. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills underscored the province’s dedication to eliminating exploitative practices and enhancing the overall quality of education. During a press conference in Surrey, Minister Selina Robinson stated, “International students come here for a good education, but too many are being exploited or taken advantage of.” The new requirements aim to prevent institutions from taking advantage of international students and will restrict the ability of private institutions to host international students if they fail to meet provincial standards for quality education. This announcement follows similar measures undertaken by the province of Ontario to safeguard the integrity of its post-secondary education system. Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop, introduced measures such as placing a moratorium on new partnerships between public and private colleges to address potential misuse of credentials. With over half a million international students holding study permits in Canada at the end of 2023, British Columbia and Ontario host significant numbers. The new measures underscore Canada’s commitment to protecting the interests and well-being of international students, particularly addressing concerns related to exploitation and substandard education.

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Madhya Pradesh Government Takes Stringent Measures to Halt Exam Paper Leaks

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In a resolute move to tackle the persistent issue of exam paper leaks, Rao Uday Pratap Singh, the Minister of School Education in Madhya Pradesh, announced on Monday that the state government is set to enact a robust law. Addressing reporters in Bhopal following the live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Pariksha Pe Charcha” program, the minister outlined the government’s determination to address the challenge head-on. Singh emphasized the introduction of a comprehensive system aimed at preventing leaks of school examination papers. “We are going to introduce a system to prevent the leak of (school) examination papers. No one will be able to make question papers available to students. Students need to be alert. We have tightened up the system,” said Singh. The government’s plan includes ensuring that examination papers reach designated centers without any leaks. Singh underscored their commitment by stating, “We will bring a stringent law to ensure that no person, including the in-charge of examination centers, involved in such malpractices, can escape.” The proposed law will extend its reach to cover any issues within the government system, bringing such acts under the ambit of criminal activity. Singh affirmed the government’s intention to introduce this legislation in the assembly in the coming time, signaling a strong stance against malpractices in examinations. Addressing concerns about students accessing exam papers through social media platforms, Singh urged students to stay away from such channels involved in criminal practices. He highlighted the potential criminality of these actions, emphasizing the need for students to remain vigilant. As part of the commitment to creating a conducive examination environment, Singh assured that the MP School Education Department would ensure that students appear for exams in a “tension-free” atmosphere. The government’s proactive measures underscore its determination to uphold the integrity of the examination process and ensure fair opportunities for all students.

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AIIMS-Patna Successfully Tests Medicines Delivery by Drone, Revolutionizing Healthcare Access

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In a groundbreaking move, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Patna (AIIMS-P) achieved a significant milestone by successfully flying a drone to deliver medicines to the primary health centre (PHC) in Naubatpur, located 12km away. This initiative, driven by the Union health ministry, aims to streamline and expedite medical supply chains, especially in challenging geographical and environmental conditions. AIIMS-P executive director, Dr G K Pal, revealed that the use of drones for medicine delivery is part of an ambitious plan by the Union health ministry. Following successful trials, a formal inauguration is expected in the coming days. Earlier attempts at drone demonstrations had been limited to the institute campus due to adverse weather conditions, but the recent drone flight to Naubatpur covered the distance in just eight minutes. Dr. Pal highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “The geographical and environmental conditions of Bihar often came in the way of fast delivery of health care by road or river ways to people living in hilly areas and diara or during adverse weather conditions like floods. Healthcare drones would prove to be a boon, especially in delivering life-saving medicines like anti-venom for snake bites, vaccines, and other emergency drugs.” The successful demonstration involved covering a distance of 24km, a journey that could take at least 30 minutes by road. The institute has requisitioned four drones for medical services, and the positive outcome of the recent test flight marks a significant step forward. For the drone service to be fully operational, the presence of medically trained individuals accompanied by technical experts is necessary at the receiving end. This innovative approach is poised to revolutionize healthcare access, particularly in areas where traditional modes of transportation face challenges.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Set to Engage with Students, Parents, and Teachers in ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2024’

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On January 29, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to conduct the seventh edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha,’ an interactive session with students, teachers, and parents. The event will take place at Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, New Delhi, starting at 11:00 AM. This initiative aims to provide valuable insights and guidance to participants on dealing with exam stress and academic challenges. This year’s ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ has garnered remarkable participation, with a combined total of 205.62 lakh students, 14.93 lakh teachers, and 5.69 lakh parents registering for the event. This surge in registrations, compared to the previous year, highlights the widespread enthusiasm among students nationwide. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a recent assessment of preparations for the event, shared that the seventh edition has recorded an impressive 2.26 crore registrations on the MyGov portal. The event, known for its interactive and engaging format, is a significant platform for students to interact directly with the Prime Minister. To ensure widespread accessibility, the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2024’ event will be broadcast live on Doordarshan, including channels such as DD National, DD News, and DD India. Other leading private channels will also air the program in real-time. Additionally, the live broadcast will be available on radio channels, including All India Radio Medium Wave and All India Radio FM Channel. For online viewership, the event can be accessed via various websites such as PMO, Ministry of Education, Doordarshan, MyGov.in, and the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Education. The live stream will also be available on Facebook Live and Swayamprabha. Recognizing the importance of the event, the University Grants Commission has urged higher educational institutions to make necessary arrangements for students to participate and watch the program. This inclusive approach aims to make ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2024’ a resounding success, building on the active engagement observed over the past six years.

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Indian Railways Concludes Employment Process for 1.5 Lakh Posts, Announces Annual Recruitment Drive

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Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced the successful completion of the employment process for 1.5 lakh posts within the Indian Railways, with the selection of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs) marking the initial phase. In a bid to create more employment opportunities, the railway ministry plans to conduct an annual recruitment process, addressing vacancies in various categories. Vaishnaw emphasized the significance of the recently concluded employment drive, stating, “We have recently completed the employment process for one lakh fifty-thousand employees, and immediately after concluding that, we have started the new process from the selection of assistant Loco pilots (ALPs). This is the first step.” Highlighting the railway’s vision, he outlined the shift towards an annual recruitment procedure. “There will be more employment opportunities in technical and non-technical popular categories in Group D. Instead of bunching everything together, our objective now is to have more employment. An annual recruitment process has been commenced so that more and more people can get opportunities,” Vaishnaw added. Anil Kumar Khandelwal, General Manager of East Central Railway, provided insights into the ongoing recruitment process. “Railway has started a new recruitment process. The railway will create vacancies every year on a regular basis. Railway infrastructure and operations are increasing every year. The vacancies will be filled on a yearly basis in multiple categories. The recruitment of 5,696 ALP (assistant loco pilots) has already started in this direction as of January 20.” Khandelwal emphasized the annual nature of the recruitment process, allowing candidates unsuccessful in the current year to reapply in the following year. He highlighted the positive shift from the previous practice of conducting recruitment once every three or four years, providing candidates with consistent opportunities to participate in the railway’s recruitment process. With the issuance of the first notification for 5,696 loco pilots on January 20, the Indian Railways aims to not only address immediate staffing needs but also establish a sustainable and recurring framework for employment opportunities.

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