Thousands of polling stations across Iran opened on Friday morning at 8 o’clock at the order of the Minister of Interior, Ahmed Vahidi to elect the members of the 12th round of the Iranian Parliament and the 6th round of the Assembly of Experts.
Over 61 million people across the country were eligible to vote.
Voters took part in the parliamentary elections to choose 290 members of the legislative body from over 15,000 candidates. Elected members will serve for a term of four years in the parliament.
In another election being held simultaneously, participants voted for 88 members of the Assembly of Experts, a deliberative body elected for eight years which is tasked with choosing the Leader.
Biden said on Friday the U.S. military would drop humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Washington:
President Joe Biden said on Friday the U.S. military would drop humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip in the coming days, and that Washington would be doing everything it could to get more aid into the enclave.
Biden, speaking in the White House’s Oval Office, said the aid flow into Gaza was not nearly enough and that he wanted hundreds of more aid trucks to get in.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The units selected for the coveted awards have made stellar contributions to the air force’s history.
New Delhi:
In a historic first, four units of the Indian Air Force will receive the prestigious ‘President’s Standard and Colours’ from President Droupadi Murmu at the Hindon airbase on March 8.
President Murmu will be awarding the President’s Standard to 45 Squadron and 221 Squadron and the President’s Colours to 11 Base Repair Depot and 509 Signal Unit, the defence ministry said.
This will be the first time in the history of the IAF that four units will be awarded President’s Standard and Colours together, it said.
The award of the President’s Standard and Colours is the highest military honour for any armed forces unit. The four units selected for the coveted awards have made stellar contributions to IAF’s history.
The 221 squadron is known as the ‘Valiants’. The history of the squadron dates back to 14 Feb 1963 when it was raised at Barrackpore, equipped with Vampire aircraft.
Barely two years after its formation, the Squadron was pressed into action in the Eastern theatre during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, where it made commendable contributions to the overall war effort.
In August 1968, the squadron was one of the first to be re-equipped with the Su-7 supersonic attack fighter.
During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, operating in the Eastern theatre, the squadron undertook extensive counter air, close air support and photo reconnaissance missions.
The famed attack over the Kurmitola and Tezgaon airbases resulted in the destruction of several Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Sabres on the ground and proved to be pivotal in rendering the PAF ineffective in the Eastern theatre.
The 45 squadron is also called the ‘Flying Daggers’. Raised in 1959 with Vampire aircraft, the squadron took part in ‘Operation Vijay’ for the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule in 1960.
On August 1, 1965, Pakistan launched an attack in the Chhamb sector with overwhelming superiority in troops and armour. The 45 squadron was the first IAF unit to launch offensive missions on the first day of the conflict.
Despite flying the vintage Vampires, the raw courage and professionalism of the pilots was enough to stall the enemy armour and the unit destroyed ten enemy tanks.
Subsequently, ‘Flying Daggers’ flew 178 sorties in support of the Indian Army. After the war, the unit was re-equipped with MiG-21 FL fighters.
In the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the unit was responsible for air defence in Punjab and Rajasthan sectors, flying 258 missions, which were instrumental in safeguarding the forward air bases against enemy air attacks.
In 1982, the unit was equipped with the MiG-21 Bis aircraft.
11 Base Repair Depot is a premier and only fighter aircraft base repair depot of the IAF that was established under Maintenance Command in April 1974 at Ojhar, Nashik.
Su-7 was the first aircraft to be overhauled by the Depot and, in the subsequent years, variants of MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-29 aircraft have been overhauled.
The 509 signal unit was established on March 1, 1965, and is presently functioning as an Air Defence Direction Centre in Meghalaya.
The unit has been functioning with the THD 1955 radar since 1995.
The watershed moments in the unit’s history date back to the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, wherein 509 SU emerged as the epicentre of all air defence activities over East Pakistan.
A defining moment came with the precision strike on the Governor’s House in Dhaka, orchestrated from the operations room of the unit.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Nicaragua asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, to issue emergency measures requiring Berlin to stop its military aid to Israel.
The court usually sets a date for a hearing on any requested emergency measures within weeks of a case being filed.
According to Nicaragua, Germany is violating the 1948 genocide convention and the 1949 Geneva convention on the laws of war in the occupied Palestinian territories.
It builds on the case South Africa brought against Israel for committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, CTV News reported.
Israel waged its brutal war on besieged Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out an unprecedented operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.
So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured at least 68,883 others.
Israel has imposed a complete siege on the densely populated territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.
In a press statement, the ministry said 71,377 Palestinians have been wounded in the coastal enclave since the start of the war in Gaza in October last year.
Israeli regime’s forces killed 193 Palestinians and wounded 920 others in the past 24 hours. Some victims remain under the rubble because of heavy bombardment and lack of civil defense and ambulance crews, the ministry added.
Israel waged its brutal war on besieged Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out an unprecedented operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.
Israel has imposed a complete siege on the densely populated territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.
Biden said on Friday the U.S. military would drop humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Washington:
President Joe Biden said on Friday the U.S. military would drop humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip in the coming days, and that Washington would be doing everything it could to get more aid into the enclave.
Biden, speaking in the White House’s Oval Office, said the aid flow into Gaza was not nearly enough and that he wanted hundreds of more aid trucks to get in.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Addressing a public rally in Dhanbad’s Sindri, PM Modi underlined that the growth rate of 8.4 percent registered during the financial quarter from October to December 2023 showcases India’s growing potential and fast-paced development towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat.
Published Date – 1 March 2024, 02:39 PM
Dhanbad: Stressing the importance of making India a developed nation by 2047, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world today and highlighted the economic statistics for the latest quarter that emerged yesterday.
Addressing a public rally in Dhanbad’s Sindri, PM Modi underlined that the growth rate of 8.4 percent registered during the financial quarter from October to December 2023 showcases India’s growing potential and fast-paced development towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat.
“In the last 10 years, we have worked for Jharkhand while prioritizing the development of the tribal community, poor, youth and women. We have to make our country ‘Viksit’ before 2047. India is among the fastest-moving economies in the world… India has performed better than all expectations. The economic growth rate for the quarter of Oct-Dec was 8.4 per cent… For a ‘Viksit Bharat’, making Jharkhand a developed state is equally important,” the Prime Minister said.
“It is equally important to make Viksit Jharkhand for the creation of Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister said, highlighting the government’s all-round support to the state in its endeavor to become developed.
PM Modi expressed confidence that the land of Bhagwan Birsa Munda will become the source of energy for the resolutions of Viksit Bhart.
The Prime Minister made a short speech as he had to proceed to Dhanbad. He said that dreams and resolutions will get further strengthened and concluded with best wishes and congratulations for the people of Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, at a public rally in Dhanbad’s Sindri Chief Minister Champai Soren said, “We have to prosper Jharkhand. In Sindri, we need to enhance the irrigation facilities…Today is a special day for the state as the Prime Minister is here…The production of the Sindri plant will benefit the agriculture sector in the state and our farmers in many ways.” Union Minister Arjun Munda said that agriculture produce in 2013-14 was 265 million tonnes, and it was 329 million tonnes in 2022-23.
“In 2013-14, budget allocation in the agriculture sector was Rs. 21,933 crore. Today in 2023-24, it is Rs.1,15,531 crores… Agriculture produce in 2013-14 was 265 million tonnes, and it was 329 million tonnes in 2022-23,” he added.
India’s GDP grew at a huge 8.4 per cent during the October-December quarter of the current financial year and the country continued to remain the fastest-growing major economy.The Indian economy grew 7.8 per cent and 7.6 per cent during the preceding two quarters – April-June and July-September, data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Thursday showed.
India’s real GDP growth for the current financial year ending in March 2024 is also pegged at 7 per cent by the Reserve Bank of India. It is 30 basis points lower than the National Statistics Office’s first estimates 7.3 per cent.
The strength of domestic demand has driven the economy to a 7 per cent plus growth rate in the last three years. India’s economy grew 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22, respectively.
Michael Jackson’s impact on the music world goes far beyond mere popularity.
Michael Jackson, the American singer, songwriter, and dancer, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic artists in history. His influence on the music world extends beyond mere popularity, reaching a level of global recognition and impact seldom witnessed in any artistic domain. This has rightfully earned him the title “King of Pop.”
A recently resurfaced video of the legendary artist has captured the hearts of fans online. Though he passed away in 2009, his legacy and talent continue to resonate with music and dance lovers worldwide.
The video was shared on X by a handle known as ‘Historic Vids’ with the caption, “Michael Jackson realising they take pictures every time he moves.”
The vintage clip shows Jackson playfully interacting with a swarm of photographers. Recognising their eagerness to capture his every move, he playfully strikes a series of poses, ensuring they get the perfect shot. This endearing moment showcases Jackson’s charisma and his unique ability to connect with his audience, even in the face of constant media attention.
Michael Jackson’s music transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. His groundbreaking music videos, like “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” revolutionised the medium, blending music and storytelling in a captivating way. His signature dance moves, such as the moonwalk, became iconic and influenced generations of dancers and performers.
Michael Jackson’s success helped break down racial barriers in the music industry. His talent and artistry resonated with audiences of all backgrounds, paving the way for greater diversity in popular music.
In the landscape of post-independence India, the foundation of planned economic development has been firmly anchored on the tripod of politics, poverty alleviation and governmental patronage, both at the Centre and in the States. Rooted in the Nehruvian socialist ideology, India’s developmental journey aimed at community progress and decentralised governance through Panchayat Raj Institutions. However, despite strides in these directions, the journey has been fraught with challenges and unfulfilled expectations, as discussed in the 2014 book ‘India’s Growth Resurgence: Sectoral Issues and Governance’ (IGR) co-authored by B Yerram Raju, Sitharama Murthy and Subbaiah Singala.
Scars Remain
The period following the decisive verdict of the 2014 elections ushered in hopes for accelerated growth and enhanced governance. But the path to realising India’s potential has been marked by complexities and debates surrounding structural reforms and governance strategies. While initiatives like the White Paper on the Indian Economy addressed some sectoral risks, challenges in key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing persisted. Farmers have hardly witnessed increased and secured incomes in their hands, thus far. Likewise, micro and small manufacturing enterprises continue to struggle with poor access to credit and endemic delayed payments.
The nation ably fought the pandemic. Health and education policies took centre stage. Yet, the nation sees friction between the North and South as also East and West. 2014-24 is a regime that goes into history as a period of profound leadership but not devoid of parochialism and patronage to a few. Street fights of farmers are a scar on the economy and need addressing with agricultural policy converging with manufacturing policy.
States at Loggerheads
In a country with 28 States and 8 Union Territories, is it enough if one Modi goes around the globe in ennobling robes? The cooperative federalism that Prime Minister Modi spoke of in 2014 is less visible. There is uneven growth in the country and if we have to be Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047, just the existence of riparian States will not help.
The two bifurcated States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are yet to resolve their differences over the river waters sharing and assets as per the AP Reorganization Act, 2014. The loudly acclaimed strength of the Union government has not been able to resolve these issues. It’s been a decade now. People of both the States, going to polls, will weigh their options in this background and not just what their respective States have achieved.
Unemployment, Inflation
While the period from 2014-2024 witnessed notable strides in infrastructure development, financial stability and international relations, challenges persisted. Research findings highlighting declining employment rates, rising profit and inflation underscore the urgency for policy interventions aimed at fostering inclusive growth and reducing monopolistic practices. Balancing market dynamics with regulatory frameworks is crucial for sustainable economic development.
Even the inflation rate, largely projected to be on track according to the recent monetary policy statement of the RBI, shows the uneven trend. As many as nine States recorded higher inflation than the national average of 4.87%, with three of them crossing the 6% mark: Odisha (6.5%), Rajasthan (6.25%) and Haryana (6.02%). Likewise, there are variances among the States even in several other key parameters of growth. The macro level picture presented in the White Paper is not reflected in all the States across the country. Challenges remain in the area of sovereign debt, agriculture, manufacturing, education and health despite a significant decline in the poverty levels (4.5% to 5% in 2022-23) as projected in the latest SBI research report.
According to the OECD, global growth is projected to remain subdued. Average growth during the period 2013-19 stood at 6.8% in India, equal to China. Over a low base figure, 2022 recorded 7.2% growth whereas in the subsequent years, it was 6.3% in 2023, 6.5% in 2024 and is likely to be slightly better in 2025. But, if we were to attain a $30 trillion GDP by 2047, the country has to consistently grow at an average of 8% per annum and not at the current level of 6.5% at 2011-12 prices. Likewise, if such growth were to happen, the agricultural sector should grow at a minimum of 4% and manufacturing at 12% per cent per annum, as against the current 4.7% increase in production.
Policy Imperatives
The need for innovative approaches and policy reforms to stimulate growth and address income disparities is paramount. Hence economic policy imperatives must focus on the following four essential areas: Formulating a separate law for the micro enterprise sector and modifying the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to benefit more micro and small industries; rationalising GST structure to three-tier rate regime sooner than later; tariff structure must be aligned more to enhancing local production through zero or low duties on raw materials and reasonable rate for final goods; and a combined (Union and States) health budget of at least 4% and education budget allocation of 6% annually for the next ten years.
Governance, as a process of decision-making and implementation, plays a pivotal role in managing risks and fostering socioeconomic progress. Quality of governance, influenced by institutional frameworks and policies, is instrumental in shaping outcomes across various domains including growth, poverty alleviation, income distribution and financial development. India’s significance on the global stage stems from its diverse demographics, rich cultural heritage and geopolitical relevance. Preserving sovereignty and ensuring effective governance are paramount for a nation of such vast diversity.
Harvard Professor Jeffry Frieden in one of his recent blogs, rightly says: “Democratic politics may not give us a universally accepted sense of the value of priceless things — such as community, culture, and family. But it can tell us something about how members of society feel about these things and how they weigh them against each other.”
In conclusion, the intersection of democracy, development and governance remains central to India’s growth narrative. Addressing challenges, harnessing opportunities and fostering inclusive growth require concerted efforts from policymakers, stakeholders and citizens alike. As India navigates its path forward, the imperative of robust governance and visionary leadership cannot be overstated in shaping its destiny on the global stage.
(The author is an economist and risk management specialist)
New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test Day 3 Live Score Updates:Usman Khawaja and overnight batter Nathan Lyon will resume the Australian innings on Saturday as the side will aim to regain control of the first Test match against New Zealand. Australia seized control of the opening Test Friday after a miserable day for New Zealand left the hosts 217 runs adrift in Wellington and with a mountain to climb to stay in the match. The visitors finished on 13 for 2 in their second innings with Lyon not out six and opener Khawaja on five after Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne departed cheaply. Tim Southee bowled Smith with his third ball, then had the out-of-form Labuschagne caught behind by Tom Blundell. (Live Scorecard)
