Google has created a special doodle dedicated to the third phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, which will commence on May 7th. This doodle is only visible to users in India, marking the significance of the elections for one of the world’s largest democracies. The doodle features a vibrant illustration depicting the voting process, emphasizing the importance of civic participation in the democratic process.
The Maldivian tourism minister, Ibrahim Faisal, has urged Indian tourists to visit the country and support its tourism-dependent economy despite strained bilateral relations. Faisal emphasized the historical ties between the two nations and assured a warm welcome to Indian visitors. The call comes after a decline in Indian tourism to the Maldives due to derogatory remarks made by Maldivian officials against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Maldives has been facing a backlash and a drop in Indian tourist arrivals, with statistics showing a 42% decrease in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a respite from heatwave conditions in eastern and southern regions of India. Thunderstorms and a wet spell are expected to provide some relief until May 10th. However, a fresh heatwave spell is predicted for western India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, and western Madhya Pradesh, over the next five days. Heavy rainfall is expected in the northeast, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds until May 7th. An orange alert has been issued for heatwave conditions in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Telangana.
India’s services industry continued to expand in April, supported by robust domestic and international demand. The HSBC final India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell slightly to 60.8 in April from 61.2 in March, but remained one of the highest growth rates in nearly 14 years. New business sub-index reached a three-month high, indicating positive market conditions. While global demand remains strong, export orders moderated slightly. Despite strong business optimism, job creation remained muted. Input costs increased at a rapid pace, but firms were able to pass on some of the burden to customers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally in Ayodhya ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett has expressed optimism about ‘unexplored opportunities’ in India. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar criticized the Canadian government over its handling of the Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing. Belstar Microfinance has filed a DRHP to raise 1,300 crore through an IPO. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has denied reports of higher pesticide residue levels in herbs and spices. The CBI has issued a Blue corner notice against Prajwal Revanna in a sexual harassment case.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirmed Canada’s adherence to the rule of law and independent justice system following the arrest of three Indian nationals linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar dismissed Trudeau’s criticisms as “internal politics,” expressing concerns over pro-Khalistan elements influencing Canadian politics. The arrests of Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh mark a significant development in the ongoing investigation, with authorities hinting at possible further arrests. Assistant Commissioner David Teboul of the RCMP confirmed investigations into connections between the detained trio and Indian authorities. Despite India’s extradition requests for 25 pro-Khalistan individuals, Canada has not yet acted, further straining diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Various significant events and hearings are scheduled to take place in India and worldwide on May 5, spanning the political, financial, and legal domains.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted India’s firm response to terrorism and cross-border threats. He emphasized the shift in policy under the Modi government, which no longer tolerates such actions. Jaishankar highlighted the strong deployment of Indian Army troops along the Line of Actual Control with China, reiterating the government’s unwavering commitment to national security.
US President Joe Biden has attributed India’s economic struggles to its reluctance to accept immigrants. According to Biden, xenophobia, or a fear of foreigners, is hindering the growth of India and other nations, while immigration has fueled the economic prosperity of the United States. The US has since clarified Biden’s remarks, stating that he was emphasizing the role of immigrants in strengthening the US economy.
Two-time World Cup winner Sourav Ganguly has chosen India and Australia as the top contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United States and the West Indies from June 2nd. While acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the tournament, Ganguly believes that the experience and recent success of the two teams make them the ones to beat.
