Today's Top Indian News - February 13, 2023

 

1) Farmer Protests Continue in Delhi: The farmers' protest against the new agriculture laws introduced by the government continues in the national capital, Delhi. The farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, are demanding a complete repeal of the laws and a guarantee on the minimum support price for their crops. The government, on the other hand, has maintained that the reforms are necessary for the growth and development of the agriculture sector. The protests have garnered widespread support from opposition parties and farmer organizations across the country.

2)Budget Session of Parliament Begins: The Budget Session of the Parliament of India has begun today. The session, which is set to last for around a month, will see the presentation of the Union Budget for the financial year 2023-2024. The Budget, which is one of the most important events in India's parliamentary calendar, will lay down the government's plan for spending and revenue collection for the next financial year. The focus this year is expected to be on boosting the country's economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic.

3)India and Japan Hold Joint Military Exercise: The Indian and Japanese armies are currently holding a joint military exercise in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. The exercise, named 'Dharma Guardian', is aimed at enhancing bilateral military ties between the two countries and promoting regional peace and stability. The exercise, which began on February 7, will continue till February 20.

4)Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Addresses Public Gathering: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a public gathering in the state capital, Lucknow, today. The Chief Minister, who is also a prominent Hindu nationalist leader, spoke on a range of issues including the ongoing farmers' protest, the recent controversy over the film 'Tandav', and the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

5)COVID-19 Cases in India: The COVID-19 cases in India continue to decline with the country reporting around 12,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. The number of active cases has dropped below 1.5 lakh for the first time in several months. The government has been ramping up its vaccination drive and has so far vaccinated over 12 crore people in the country.

6)Rise in Export: India's exports have seen a significant rise in January 2023, growing by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year. This growth is being attributed to the recovery of the global economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and the improvement in the country's trade relations with its major trading partners. The government is hopeful that this trend will continue and help boost the country's economy.

7)India's Covid-19 Response Praised by WHO: The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised India's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it one of the most comprehensive and well-coordinated efforts globally. The WHO highlighted India's mass vaccination drive, robust surveillance system, and the strengthening of its health infrastructure as some of the key factors contributing to its successful response to the pandemic.

8)New Guidelines for Schools: The Ministry of Education has released new guidelines for schools in India to follow as they reopen after being closed for nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines include measures such as mandatory masks, social distancing, and regular temperature checks to ensure the safety of students and teachers. The schools are set to reopen from next month, starting with grades 9 to 12, followed by lower grades in the coming weeks.

9)Technology Giant to Set up R&D Centre in India: One of the world's largest technology companies has announced plans to set up a research and development (R&D) centre in India. The company aims to tap into the country's vast pool of engineering and technology talent, and collaborate with local partners to develop new technologies and solutions. The R&D centre is expected to create several hundred jobs and contribute to the country's efforts to become a global technology hub.

10)Film Industry Gets Boost: The Indian film industry is set to get a boost as the government announces new measures to support the sector. The measures include tax incentives for film production, easier access to funding, and the creation of new film cities. The government aims to make India a hub for film production and attract international film-makers to the country.