Category Archives: Leaders

Ex-SC judge Sanjay Kaul appointed member of Bahrain International Commercial Court

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The BICC is a part of the Bahrain government’s “Team Bahrain” to enhance private sector investment in the country by providing a forum for dispute resolution between parties.

Retired Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has been appointed a member of the Bahrain International Commercial Court by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

He is among the nine members appointed to the newly established BICC. Leading arbitrator Jan Paulsson has been appointed as BICC president and former British judge Sir Christopher Greenwood as its vice president.

The BICC is a part of the Bahrain government’s “Team Bahrain” to enhance private sector investment in the country by providing a forum for dispute resolution between parties.

The BICC will have exclusive jurisdiction within the country to hear international commercial disputes and will also be empowered to hear arbitration-related matters.

Justice Kaul retired on December 25, 2023, after serving as a judge of the apex court for over six years. During his tenure he authored decisions in several important rulings, including a concurring opinion in the landmark nine-judge bench case recognising the right to privacy as a fundamental right in 2017.

In December 2023, he was a part of the seven-judge bench that ruled in favour of upholding the validity of an ‘unstamped’ arbitration agreement — where the parties had not paid the necessary stamp duty for the contract to be admissible before a court of law. The court held that the “defect” could be rectified at a later date, noting that the purpose of the Indian Arbitration Act was to provide “speedy and efficient resolution” to disputes.

In his final year as an SC judge, Justice Kaul authored decisions rejecting the Centre’s curative petition to enhance compensation for victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy and upheld the Bar Council of India’s power to conduct the All India Bar Examination.

Justice Kaul’s legal career began in 1982 after graduating from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. He became an advocate-on-record in 1987 and was given the coveted senior advocate designation in 1999. He was appointed as senior counsel for the Delhi High Court and Delhi University, and served as additional senior standing counsel for Delhi Development Authority.

His career in the judiciary began in May 2001 when he was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court. In September 2012, he served a brief 2-day stint as Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi HC. In June 2013, he was appointed the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana HC before being transferred to the Madras HC in July 2014, where he served as the Chief Justice until February 2017.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Trump nominates Indian American Kash Patel as FBI Director

Mr. Trump said Mr. Patel played a pivotal role in uncovering “the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax,” standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution.

President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday (November 30, 2024) nominated close confidante Kash Patel for the powerful position of Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, making him the highest-ranking Indian American in his incoming administration.

“I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Mr. Trump announced on Truth Social, a social media platform he owns.

Mr. Trump said Mr. Patel played a pivotal role in uncovering “the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax,” standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Mr. Patel, 44, served as chief of staff to the Acting United States Secretary of Defense in the last few weeks of the Trump Administration in 2017.

“Mr. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defence, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Mr. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials,” he said.

“This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Mr. Kash will work under our great Attorney General Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI,” Mr. Trump said.

Who is Kash Patel?

New York-born Mr. Patel has his roots in Gujarat. However, his parents are from East Africa — mother from Tanzania and father from Uganda. They came to the U.S. from Canada in 1970. “We are Gujarati,” he had told PTI in an earlier interview.

The family moved to Queens in New York — often called as Little India — in the late 70s. It is here that Mr. Patel was born and grew. Mr. Patel’s parents are retired now and spend their time in both the U.S. and Gujarat. After his schooling in New York and college in Richmond, Virginia, and law school in New York, Patel went to Florida where he was a state public defender for four years and then federal public defender for another four years.

“So, lots of trials, lots of international investigations, lots of time in court, understanding the federal system and trying cases and learning how to run investigations,” he said.

From Florida he moved to Washington DC as a terrorism prosecutor at the Department of Justice. Here he was an international terrorism prosecutor for about three and a half years. During this period, he worked on cases all over the world, in America in East Africa as well as in Uganda and Kenya.

While still employed by the Department of Justice, he went as a civilian to join Special Operations Command at the Department of Defense. At the Pentagon, he sat as the Department of Justice’s lawyer with Special Forces people and worked interagency collaborative targeting operations around the world.

After a year in the position, Congressman Davin Nunes, Chairman of the House Permanent Select on Intelligence Committee, pulled him as senior counsel on counterterrorism. After April 2017, he spearheaded the Russia investigation of the House Intelligence Committee. It was here where he attracted media attention and played a key role in drafting a GOP memo, which, according to then-President Donald Trump, exposed the role of Democratic party and its leadership in the Russian investigation.

The New York Times described this as a “Kash Memo.” Patel said that this was a “great team effort.”

Mr. Patel is an Ice hockey fan and has been playing the sport since he was six. “I still play and I spend a lot of time volunteering coaching youth hockey in the area.”

Mr. Patel, who attended both the Houston and Ahmedabad rallies of Mr. Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2019 and February 2020, had earlier told PTI that the bilateral relationship had deteriorated under the Biden Administration.

“President Trump and Prime Minister Modi had an extraordinary relationship with respect. And they were working together to counteract the things like Chinese aggression, not just on the Indian border but on the global stage. They were also working together to counteract things in Pakistan when it came to counterterrorism matters and hostage situations,” MR. Patel said.

The two leaders knew that not only the strong relationship but also allowing the economies of scale to be built in India and America were mutually beneficial, Mr. Patel said.

Last fall he wrote the book ‘Government Gangster’ which argued that there is a severe lack of accountability. The book talks about the deep state and is highly critical of the U.S. bureaucracy, which he claims is highly infiltrated or dominated by lawbreakers.

Responding to a question, Mr. Patel then told PTI that the Biden Administration and the deep state are interwoven.

“The Biden administration is filled by these corrupt government gangsters who I list in the back of my book by name and title. It’s not a Democrat or Republican thing. It’s an apolitical thing that these individuals, whether they’re Trump appointees like Christopher W Ray or Biden appointees like Merrick Garland, they are led to this two-tier system of justice where they weaponise government and intelligence and law enforcement to target either conservatives or Trump supporters or call people on January 6th, domestic terrorists,” he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

In Donald Trump’s moment, Indian Americans notch up historic seven seats in US Congress

Nine desis contested this election and out of them six – all of them Democrats – have won the race to the US House of Representatives, increasing their number from five in the current House.

Donald Trump has already started his victory speech and the Republicans have already won the United States Senate, but Indian Americans too have quite a bit to celebrate in this election season in America.

Nine desis contested this election and out of them seven – all of them Democrats – have won the race to the US House of Representatives, increasing their number from five in the current House. 

This is the most number of US Representatives the community has ever had in the US Congress.

The Telegraph Online looks at these Indian Americans who have made the community proud this year.

  1. Shri Thanedar

Shri Thanedar has won the contest for the thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan with 80,462 votes, defeating his Republican rival Martell Bivings who got 39,385 votes, according to The New York Times.

Thanedar, 69, was born in Karnataka and came to the US to pursue a doctorate in the year 1979. After dabbling with a career in business, he took the plunge in politics in 2018.

According to his website, he got elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in Congress in 2022. And he helped pass the “largest increase in per-pupil funding for Michigan Public Schools in state history”.

2. Ro Khanna

Ro Khanna has won the race from the seventeenth Congressional District of California winning 80, 112 votes as against Republican Anita Chen, who managed 36,837 votes.

Khanna, 48, is a lawyer who was born in the US. In 2016, Khanna is currently serving his third term representing California’s 17th District. This district covers part of the famed Silicon Valley, the home to global tech multinationals.

Khanna’s first brush with politics came when he was a student at the University of Chicago and campaigned for Barack Obama during his initial years. 

Khanna, whose “grandfather participated in Gandhi’s independence movement in India, spending several years in jail for promoting human rights,” says that he is committed to public service because he believes in the American Dream that inspired his family.

3. Suhas Subramanyam

The 38-year-old Suhas Subramanyam has won a close contest from the tenth Congressional District of Virginia winning 207,131 votes as against Republican Mike Clancy, who got 190, 227 votes.

Suhas’s mother relocated from Bengaluru to the US to unite with his father.

Suhas first got involved in public work when he organised volunteers to help people affected by hurricane Katrina.

A lawyer, he had earlier served as a White House technology policy adviser to President Barack Obama.

“I am honoured and humbled that the people of Virginia’s 10th District put their trust in me to take on the toughest fights and deliver results in Congress. This district is my home. I got married here, my wife Miranda and I are raising our daughters here, and the issues our community faces are personal to our family. It is an honour to continue serving this district in Washington,” Subramanyam said.

4. Pramila Jaypal

Another veteran Democrat, Pramila Jaypal, has won the race from the seventh Congressional District of Washington with 244,150 votes as against Dan Alexander, who got 42, 958 votes.

Jayapal, 59, was first elected in 2016.

Jayapal was born in Chennai and grew up in India, Indonesia and Singapore. She came to the US at the age of 16 to attend college at Georgetown University. She came back to India and stayed for two years in the late 1990s and this led her to write a book, ‘Pilgrimage to India: A Woman Revisits Her Homeland’.

She is known for being vocal about immigration rights.

5 . Raja Krishnamoorthi

Raja Krishnamoorthi, 51, has won the race from the eighth Congressional District of Illinois getting 163,721 votes as against Republican Mark Rice, who got 127,136 votes.

Krishanamoorthy is a lawyer who was first elected to the Congress in 2016.

“While the battles for control of the White House and Congress remain close, I am honoured that the people of Illinois’ 8th District have extended my contract to represent them in Congress,” Krishnamoorthi said.

“My parents came to this country with little more than a dream for their family’s future and the faith that they could achieve it here in America,” Krishnamoorthi concluded.

“Despite some hard times, we did.”

6. Dr Ami Bera

A physician by profession, Dr Bera, 59, is a Gujarati and the senior-most Indian-American Congressman representing the sixth Congressional District of California since 2013. He was re-elected for the seventh consecutive term.

He has 132,712 votes as against his rival Christine Bish 128,606 votes when 63 per cent of the votes were counted.

7. Dr Amish Shah

In Arizona, Shah from the Democratic Party was slightly ahead of his Republican Party’s incumbent David Schweikett from the first Congressional District of Arizona.

He has 132,712 votes as against his rival’s 128,606 votes when 63 per cent of the votes were counted.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited) / six to seven edited

India re-elected as President of International Solar Alliance till 2026

From the Asia and the Pacific Region, Australia and Sri Lanka have been selected as Vice Presidents, with the United Arab Emirates and Papua New Guinea as the Vice-Chairs.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said India has been re-elected as the President of Indian Solar Alliance (ISA) from 2024 to 2026.

Addressing the press conference at 7th General Assembly of the ISA, Joshi informed that France has been reelected as Vice-President of the ISA.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said India has been re-elected as the President of Indian Solar Alliance (ISA) from 2024 to 2026.

Addressing the press conference at 7th General Assembly of the ISA, Joshi informed that France has been reelected as Vice-President of the ISA.

India’s election to the President post is a testament to the impactful work the country, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been doing over the years for the global good in advancing solar energy adoption across the globe and boosting investment in essential solar projects, including mini-grids and healthcare solutions, Joshi opined.

Eight Vice Presidents of the Standing Committee, two from each of the four ISA geographical regions, were also selected by the Assembly.

From the Africa Region, Ghana and Seychelles have been selected as the Vice Presidents, while South Sudan and the Comoros will support the Vice Presidents as Vice-Chairs of Africa.

From the Asia and the Pacific Region, Australia and Sri Lanka have been selected as Vice Presidents, with the United Arab Emirates and Papua New Guinea as the Vice-Chairs, he informed.

Germany and Italy have been selected as Vice Presidents from the Europe and the Others Region, along with Greece and Norway as Vice-Chair. Leading the Regional Committee of the Latin America and the Caribbean region will be Grenada and Suriname, Jamaica and Haiti as Vice-Chairs, he said.

ISA Member Countries have also selected the third Director General of the Alliance. Ashish Khanna is the Director General Designate and will assume office in March 2025, when the tenure of the incumbent Director General, Ajay Mathur, comes to a close, he informed.

ISA initiated Demonstration Projects in 2020 to meet the needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Development States (SIDS).

The aim was to exhibit solar technology applications that can be scaled up and build the capacity of member countries to replicate these solar-powered solutions.

Joshi noted that 11 of these projects were dedicated to the people of the respective countries: Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Samoa, Senegal, The Gambia, and Tonga.

ISA remains committed to supporting governments in their efforts to scale up solar energy projects and improve the lives of their people, he stated.

An important topic of discussion will be the guidelines for the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme, which provides for 10 per cent to 35 per cent of the total solar project cost to be given as a grant for developing solar projects in LDCs and SIDS identified by the countries themselves, provided 90 per cent of the project cost is locked in, he said.

The ISA Assembly will also consider a proposal for promotion of greater involvement of women in ISA’s initiatives, programs, and support activities, wherever feasible, across member countries, he said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Prabhakar Raghavan, IIT-Madras Alumnus Appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist

Prabhakar Raghavan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras), has been appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist. He was previously the Senior Vice President at Google, responsible for overseeing a broad spectrum of products including Google Search, Assistant, Geo.

Prabhakar Raghavan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras), has been appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist. He was previously the Senior Vice President at Google, responsible for overseeing a broad spectrum of products including Google Search, Assistant, Geo, Ads, Commerce, and Payments. His new role marks a significant shift in Google’s leadership, especially as the company undergoes core business restructuring.

Early Career and Education

Educational Background:

  • BTech in Electrical Engineering from IIT-Madras (1981): Raghavan’s educational journey began at IIT-Madras, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career in technology.
  • MS and PhD from the University of California: He continued his academic pursuits at the University of California, Berkeley, earning his MS in 1982 and completing his PhD in computer science in 1986. His doctoral work in computer science solidified his expertise in areas such as algorithms, data mining, and machine learning.

Academic and Professional Achievements

Prabhakar Raghavan is a highly respected figure in the global tech community. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions to computer science and technology:

  • Member of the US National Academy of Engineering: This prestigious title is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to engineering research, practice, or education.
  • Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bologna, Italy: In recognition of his achievements in technology and leadership.
  • UC Berkeley Distinguished CS Alumnus Award: Acknowledging his outstanding contributions as an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley.
  • Fellow of the IEEE and ACM: These fellowships are awarded to individuals with exceptional accomplishments in electrical and computer engineering, as well as computing machinery

Career Before Google

Before joining Google, Prabhakar Raghavan had already established a stellar career, holding leadership roles in some of the world’s top tech companies.

  • Yahoo! Labs: Dr. Raghavan founded and led Yahoo! Labs, where he spearheaded major advancements in search and ad ranking algorithms. He played a pivotal role in ad marketplace design and served as Yahoo’s Chief Strategy Officer.
  • CTO at Verity: Raghavan also served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Verity, a leading company in enterprise search technology.
  • 14 Years at IBM: During his long tenure at IBM, Raghavan worked extensively on algorithms, data mining, and machine learning. His work at IBM solidified his reputation as an expert in developing technologies related to data management.

Career at Google

Raghavan joined Google in 2012 and has since held various key roles within the company. His journey at Google is marked by leading teams that have developed and managed some of the company’s most critical in-house products:

  • Google Cloud and Google Apps: Raghavan initially managed Google Cloud and Google Apps, overseeing vital tools like Gmail and Google Drive. His leadership contributed to the growth and success of these products, making them integral to Google’s broader ecosystem.
  • Google Search and Related Products: As Senior Vice President, Raghavan was responsible for overseeing Google Search, one of the company’s most essential products, along with Google Assistant, Geo, Ads, Commerce, and Payments. His efforts helped improve the functionality and relevance of these products, enhancing Google’s role as a global leader in technology and innovation.

Transition to Chief Technologist

In October 2024, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced in an internal note that Prabhakar Raghavan would take over the position of Chief Technologist. This shift in leadership came at a crucial time for Google, which is currently undergoing significant business restructuring to address increasing competition and changes in user behavior.

Raghavan’s role as Chief Technologist will focus on driving technical innovations, overseeing key strategic initiatives, and guiding the company through the evolving landscape of technology.

  • Nick Fox will take over Raghavan’s previous role, leading Google Search, Assistant, and related products.

Importance of His Appointment

Raghavan’s appointment as Google’s Chief Technologist is a testament to his decades of experience in computer science, leadership, and technical expertise. His deep knowledge in areas like machine learning, data mining, and algorithms is expected to further enhance Google’s technological capabilities and strategic direction.

This leadership transition also highlights Google’s commitment to innovation and technical excellence, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of global technology advancements.

source/content: currentaffairs.adda247.com / Adda247 (headline edited)

PM Modi, Spanish counterpart to inaugurate Tata aircraft complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft, making it India’s 1st Private Sector final Assemly line for Military Aircraft.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, said this will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, will inaugurate the Tata aircraft complex in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Monday for manufacturing C-295 aircraft by Tata Advanced Systems.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in a statement on Saturday, said this will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.

During the visit to his home state, Modi will also launch development projects worth more than Rs 4,900 crore in Amreli.

The PMO said 40 aircraft will be built in the Vadodara facility as part of the agreement, while aviation behemoth Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly.

Tata Advanced Systems is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India and this facility will be the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military planes in India.

It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem, from manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete life cycle of the aircraft, the statement said.

Apart from the Tatas, leading defence public sector units, such as Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, as well as private micro, small and medium enterprises will contribute to this programme.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara final assembly line in October 2022.

In Amreli, the prime minister will inaugurate the “Bharat Mata” Sarovar in Dudhala. This project was developed through a collaboration between the state government and the Dholakia Foundation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Various rail, road, water and tourism projects, among others, to be inaugurated by Modi will benefit the citizens of Amreli, Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kachchh and Botad districts of the state, the statement said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: Indian Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan Elected As Publications Director Of World Medical Association

Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan, a distinguished figure in the field of medical science has been recognised for his outstanding contributions in health care.

The World Medical Association (WMA) has elected Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan as the new Publications Director of the WMA Junior Doctors’ Network. The appointment took place during the recent WMA General Assembly in Helsinki, Finland.

Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan, a distinguished figure in the field of medical science and public health, has been recognised for his outstanding contributions and leadership in health care. With a robust background in Community and Family medicine, Dr. Karthikeyan will oversee the publication activities of JDN aimed at shaping the future of medical science globally.

The World Medical Association, now encompassing 114 member countries, is dedicated to the highest standards of medical education, science, and ethics, ensuring quality health care for all people worldwide. Dr Karthikeyan’s election as Publications Director underscores his formidable reputation as a leader capable of steering the international medical community towards these lofty goals.

In addition to his new role at WMA, Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan is already serving as the National Convenor for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at the Indian Medical Association. This election  signifies India’s rising prominence as a global leader in healthcare.

The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organization representing physicians. It was founded on 17 September 1947, when physicians from 27 different countries met at the First General Assembly of the WMA in Paris. The organization was created to ensure the independence of physicians, and to work for the highest possible standards of ethical behaviour and care by physicians, at all times. This was particularly important to physicians after the Second World War, and therefore the WMA has always been an independent confederation of free professional associations. 

source/content: ndtv.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: LADY JUSTICE: Supreme Court Introduces New ‘Lady Justice’ Statue: A Symbol of Equality And Constitutional Values In Modern India

The Supreme Court of India has unveiled a new Lady Justice statue, symbolizing a modern approach to justice by removing her blindfold and replacing the sword with the Constitution, reflecting a commitment to equality and constitutional values.

On October 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of India unveiled a new statue of Lady Justice, featuring open eyes and holding the Indian Constitution instead of a sword. This transformation, commissioned by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, symbolizes a shift away from colonial legacies and emphasizes that justice in India is based on constitutional values rather than punitive authority. The statue stands in the judges’ library and reflects a commitment to equality and fairness in the legal system.

A Modern Symbol of Justice

The newly unveiled Lady Justice statue at the Supreme Court now has her eyes wide open, signifying that the law is not blind. The traditional sword has been replaced with a copy of the Indian Constitution, reinforcing the message that justice should be administered according to constitutional principles. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud stated, “The law is not blind; it sees everyone equally,” highlighting the importance of equality before the law. The statue retains the scales of justice in her right hand, symbolizing impartiality in judicial decisions. This change aims to promote a more inclusive understanding of justice in contemporary India.

Contextual Background

The unveiling aligns with ongoing reforms in India’s legal system, including efforts to replace colonial-era laws like the Indian Penal Code with more modern frameworks such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The removal of the blindfold from Lady Justice marks a significant departure from traditional representations, which often emphasized impartiality through blindness. Instead, this new portrayal seeks to reflect an evolving identity for the Indian judiciary that embraces its constitutional roots while shedding colonial symbols.

Questions and Answers

1. What changes were made to the Lady Justice statue?

The statue’s blindfold has been removed, and it now holds a copy of the Constitution instead of a sword. This symbolizes a shift towards constitutional values rather than punitive authority while retaining the scales of justice for balance.

2. Why was this redesign commissioned?

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud believes it is essential to move beyond colonial symbols that have historically represented justice. By removing the blindfold, he emphasizes that “the law is not blind” and sees everyone equally, reflecting modern Indian values.

3. Where is the new statue located?

The redesigned Lady Justice statue stands prominently in the judges’ library at the Supreme Court of India, symbolizing its importance within the judicial system.

4. When was this change officially unveiled?

The new statue was unveiled on October 16, 2024, as part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernizing India’s legal identity.

5. How does this change fit into broader legal reforms in India?

This redesign is part of a larger movement to replace colonial-era laws with contemporary legal frameworks, such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It signifies a commitment to uphold justice based on constitutional principles rather than outdated practices.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The redesign of Lady Justice is a powerful statement about India’s commitment to a fair and equitable legal system. By moving away from colonial symbols and embracing constitutional ideals, we foster a more empathetic approach to justice that resonates with all citizens. This transformation invites us to consider how such symbolic changes can enhance public trust in our judiciary. What are your thoughts on this new representation of justice? We encourage our readers to engage in this vital conversation for positive social change.

source/content: thelogicalindian.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL: DEFENCE: India, US sign Rs 32,000-crore deal for 31 Predator drones

The development comes less than a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held talks about the acquisition of the Predator drones on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit held in Delaware. 

In Short

  • Total cost of the deal could rise to Rs 34,500 crore
  • Deal includes MRO facility establishment in India
  • 15 drones for Navy, rest for Air Force and Army

India has signed a deal with the US for the procurement of 31 Predator MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance UAV manufactured by General Atomics. The development comes less than a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held talks about the acquisition of the drones on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit held in Delaware.

The two countries signed a deal worth Rs 32,000 crore for the acquisition of 31 predator drones, along with the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India.

This deal will enhance the surveillance capabilities of the Indian armed forces. According to reports, the total value of the deal could rise to Rs 34,500 crore.

The project was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) last week under which the Indian Navy will receive 15 Sea Guardians, while the Indian Army and Air Force will each acquire eight Sky Guardians.

Along with the UAVs, the deal encompasses advanced weaponry, such as 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 16 M36E9 Hellfire training missiles, 310 GBU-39B/B laser-guided Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB guided test vehicles with live fuses.

India has been discussing the deal with the US for many years, but the final hurdles were cleared a few weeks ago at the Defence Acquisition Council meeting as it had to be cleared before October 31 as the validity of the American proposal was till that time only.

India would be basing the drones at four possible locations, including INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF THE MQ-9B DRONES?

The US had approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to the Indian military at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion in February.

The key characteristic of the MQ-9B Predator is its whisper-quiet operation. The drone stands out from the rest because of its stealth feature. The drone can fly as close to 250 metres from the ground without the target even having an inkling it is there unless spotted.

With a maximum speed of 442 km/h, the drone can soar at an altitude of around 50,000 feet, higher than that of a commercial airplane.

The drone’s capacity to be sent on extended missions in any kind of weather is another noteworthy feature. The drone has the option to be fitted with air-to-ground missiles in addition to air-to-air missiles.

The MQ-9B drone can fly 2,000 miles without refueling and carry up to 1,700 kg of cargo, which includes four missiles and about 450 kg of bombs. The drone’s manufacturer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, claims that it can fly nonstop or hover over targets for up to 35 hours.

source/content: indiatoday.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL: BEACON of INDIA INC. : Ratan Tata family tree: From Jamsetji Tata to Maya Tata, know all the members here

Ratan Tata Family tree: Here’s a look at the family lineage of the Tatas.

Ratan Tata complete family Tree: Ratan Naval Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai Wednesday night. He was admitted following age-related health issues and was undergoing treatment at the hospital. Tata, a beacon of India Inc, steered his group amid India’s economic liberalisation and, subsequently, guided its global expansion.

Conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, Tata was considered one of the greatest philanthropists in the country who touched lives of millions through his work in the field of healthcare, education, drinking water and many other areas.

Here’s a look at the family tree of the Tatas

Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group was born to Nusserwanji Ratan Tata and Jeevanbai Kavasji Tata, in 1939. apart from Jamsetji, Nusserwanji had four other children — Ratanbai, Maneckbai, Virbaiji, Jerbai.

Born into a family of Parsi priests, Jamsetji broke the tradition as he started his own trading firm in 1868 at a young age of 29. He started with a textile mill in central India in the 1870s. His vision later set the foundation for technical education in India and helped the nation to be counted among the industrialised nations.

Jamsetji married Hirabai Daboo and had three children — Sir Dorabji Tata, Dhunbai Tata and Sir Ratan Tata. 

Dorabji, the elder son of Jamsetji, was instrumental in translating his father’s vision into reality. It was under his leadership that the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust was created, propelling the Tata tradition of philanthropy. Jamsetji’s younger son, Ratan, was a philanthropist who created a trust to fund educational development, alleviate human sufferings and other public utility works.

Sir Ratan Tata married Navjbai Sett and adopted Naval H Tata. Naval married Sonoo Commisariat and had two sons — Ratan N Tata and Jimmy N Tata. But Naval and Soonoo divorced when Ratan N Tata was only 10 years old. Naval later married Simone Dunoyer and with her, had a son, Noel Tata. Noel is Ratan and Jimmy’s half brother.

While Ratan and Jimmy never married, Noel tied knot with Aloo Mistry, sister of late Cyrus Mistry, who served as Chairman of Tata Group. Noel and Aloo have three children — Leah Tata, Maya Tata and Neville Tata.

Neville is married to Manasi Kirloskar and together they have two children – Jamset Tata and Tiana Tata.

Again, Jeevanbai Kavasji Tata’s brother Dadabhai Kavasji Tata (adopted son of Kavasji Maneckji Tata) had a son with his wife Bhikhibai. Dadabhai’s son Ratanji Dadabhai Tata married a French woman Suzanne Briere. They had five children — Syla Petit, Jehangir Ratanji Dababhai Tata, Rodabeh Tata, Darab Tata and Jimmy Tata. 

Jehangir or JRD Tata, who went on to become Tata Chairman, pioneered civil aviation on the subcontinent in 1932 by launching the airline which is now known as Air India.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)