On Thursday, May 9, 2023, at 2:20 am, the first flight of Haj 2024 departed from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for Madinah, carrying 285 pilgrims. The Delhi State Haj Committee Chairperson, Kausar Jahan, congratulated the pilgrims and announced that 16,500 pilgrims will embark on the Haj pilgrimage from Delhi this year.
On April 8, Moosa Zameer, the Foreign Minister of the Maldives, arrived in India for an official visit. Zameer expressed his anticipation for productive discussions and experiencing India’s vibrant culture. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Zameer’s visit and stated that discussions on bilateral and regional issues were scheduled. The visit is a testament to the close maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives, and it is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties.
India will witness an array of significant events on Thursday, May 9, spanning diplomacy, business, sports, and technology. Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer’s visit to India for bilateral discussions with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar marks a key event in the diplomatic realm. In the business sphere, Energy Mission Machineries’ IPO will open today, offering investors an opportunity to participate in the company’s growth plans. Sports enthusiasts will be treated to an exciting IPL match between PBKS and RCB in Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address a public rally in Telangana, while BJP national president will campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Keep reading for a comprehensive overview of today’s top events in India:
India’s recent Human Development Report and World Inequality Lab study highlight important facets of the country’s development. While the Human Development Index (HDI) has improved, income inequality has widened, and household debt levels have reached a record high. This calls for a rethinking of India’s growth strategy, prioritizing human development as a route to accelerate sustainable economic growth.
Legendary West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness for India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Walsh highlighted that Bumrah’s unique bowling action, while effective, also poses challenges to his body, making him susceptible to injuries. The former cricketer urged Bumrah to prioritize injury management to enhance his longevity and success. Walsh expressed confidence in India’s pace-bowling unit, complementing their quality spinners, and predicted a competitive T20 World Cup tournament. He also expressed optimism about the West Indies’ chances of performing well in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which they are co-hosting.
Google has introduced a new standalone ‘wallet’ app in India that will store digital bookings but will not be linked to any payment interface. This move is likely to avoid further antitrust investigations in the country, as the company faces ongoing litigations related to its dominance in the digital market. Google’s launch marks a departure from other tech giants such as Apple and Samsung, whose wallet apps offer a unified platform for bookings and payments.
On November 19, 2023, India’s hopes of winning the World Cup were dashed in a cruel six-wicket defeat by Australia. The undefeated Indian team had played 10 flawless matches, but in the final, Australia’s relentless performance left the nation crestfallen. Despite India’s impressive performance throughout the tournament, Australia’s history of victories against them proved decisive, as they pulled off an unexpected triumph.
Political economist Gautam Sen has warned against implementing a wealth tax in India, citing concerns that it could drive the country’s richest individuals to relocate their businesses to tax-friendly destinations such as Dubai. Sen suggests that such a tax could result in a substantial loss of wealth for India. He also questions the practicality of imposing such a tax in India, given the challenges in surveying all households and businesses. Additionally, Sen expresses concerns that such a tax could lead to social and political chaos and make India vulnerable to foreign intervention. Despite these concerns, Sen remains optimistic about India’s prospects, highlighting the country’s status as the fastest-growing major economy in the world and the government’s infrastructure investments.
India’s legal industry is on the cusp of globalization, as the Bar Council of India allows foreign lawyers to establish offices in India for limited purposes. The new regulations aim to create a more competitive and vibrant legal market, with the expectation of long-term benefits for both Indian and foreign lawyers. However, there are also concerns about potential risks associated with the influx of foreign firms, such as unfair competition and ethical challenges. The Bar Council of India has adopted a consultative approach, remaining in dialogue with critics and imposing stringent registration requirements to balance the risks and benefits. Overall, the entry of foreign lawyers into India is seen as a promising step towards a brighter future for the Indian legal industry.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri named two relatively inexperienced players as key to India’s T20 World Cup hopes, with the tournament set to begin in New York on June 5. Shastri highlighted the potential of left-handed batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube, both of whom are set to make their debut in a multi-nation ICC tournament for India. Jaiswal has enjoyed recent success in Test cricket, while Dube has impressed in the ongoing IPL season with his power-hitting ability.
