Here’s a rundown of the most important news events of the week (Representational/ File Photo)
From the Union Budget 2024 to the renaming of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar and Ashok Halls, we have got you covered
If you are someone who is preparing to crack a government exam, then being familiar with current events is very important. From the Union Budget 2024 to the renaming of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar and Ashok Halls, we have got you covered. Here’s a rundown of the most important news stories of the week.
EAM Jaishankar Calls ASEAN Cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy and Its Indo-Pacific Vision
At the opening session of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision. In his remarks, he also stated that the current political, economic and security cooperation with ASEAN is India’s top priority. Jaishankar is currently in the Laotian capital to participate in the ASEAN meetings. Notably, the 10 member countries of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
NEET-UG Paper Accessed From Hazaribagh School, Shared With Those Who Paid Money: CBI
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in an official statement that the trunks containing the NEET UG 2024 question papers were brought to the Oasis School in Hazaribagh on the morning of May 5. Minutes after the trunks arrived, the Hazaribagh NTA City Coordinator cum Principal and the Centre Superintendent cum Vice Principal, unauthorisedly and illegally gave access to Pankaj Kumar alias Aditya alias Sahil, who is one of the masterminds in the case. He used sophisticated tools to unlock the trunk and access the NEET question papers. The agency also stated that a set of solvers in Hazaribagh solved the stolen question paper the same day and shared it with students who paid money to the accused.
Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar And Ashok Halls Renamed
President Droupadi Murmu has renamed Rashtrapati Bhavan’s two key halls — ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ — as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’, respectively. As per the President’s Secretariat press release, the decision was made to make the environment of the magnificent structure reflect Indian cultural values and ethos. Renaming ‘Ashok Hall’ as ‘Ashok Mandap’ brings uniformity in language and eliminates the traces of anglicisation while preserving the core qualities linked with the word Ashok, it added. Meanwhile, opposition leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a jibe at the renaming of the halls, saying, “Ye Darbar ka concept nahi Shahenshah ka concept hai.”
Union Budget 2024 Focuses on Rehabilitation of Migrants, Repatriates
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Union Budget 2024-25 focuses on supporting displaced communities via rehabilitation and relief efforts for migrants and repatriates. She also granted Rs 2,19,643.31 to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The budget for relief and rehabilitation for migrants and repatriates has been set at Rs 539.72 crore. This increased funding will support several key initiatives, such as managing refugee settlements in Tibet and erstwhile West and East Pakistan, rehabilitating Sri Lankan refugees and providing help to northeastern states. Moreover, the government has overhauled the Indian legal system by rolling out three new laws: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
Vande Bharat Sleeper, Vande Metro Enters Testing Stage
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper trains and Vande Metro have stepped into the testing stage, adding that 50 more Amrit Bharat trains have been sanctioned. The Amrit Bharat trains is an LHB push pull train with non-air-conditioned coaches. It provides improved facilities for rail passengers, including better seats, a better luggage rack, a mobile charging point with a suitable mobile holder, LED lights, CCTV and a better public information system. All these trains boast a new design, offering better service and comfort to passengers.
