3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 28th of October and here are the headlines

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated a Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) plant in Vadodara, dedicated to manufacturing the C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez joined Modi, marking the occasion after both leaders laid the foundation stone for the Final Assembly Line (FAL) plant in October 2022. This facility represents India’s first private sector assembly line for military aircraft. Modi emphasized that recent decisions have bolstered defense manufacturing in India, expressing confidence that the new Tata-Airbus facility will position India as a leading exporter of aircraft and fulfill rising civil aviation demands.

Opposition members of the joint parliamentary committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill staged a walkout during Monday's meeting, alleging that individuals with "no stake" in the bill were being invited for oral evidence. Among those who walked out were AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress member Mohammad Jawed, and Samajwadi Party member Mohibbullah Nadvi. They eventually rejoined after a brief absence. Tensions flared when the Delhi Waqf Board administrator submitted a report to the committee chair, which the opposition claimed was done without approval from the Delhi government.

Bengaluru police have filed charges against Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan for sexually assaulting a man. The case, originally registered in Kerala, was moved to Bengaluru after the complainant, a 31-year-old artist, stated the incident occurred in a hotel in the city. An FIR has been lodged at the BIAL police station under Section 377 (unnatural offences) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66E (violation of privacy) of the Information Technology Act.

With Diwali approaching, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to take swift action against the sale and distribution of illegal firecrackers in the capital. Delhi recorded a concerning Air Quality Index (AQI) of 356, classified as ‘Very Poor.’ Despite a complete ban on firecrackers—including manufacturing, storage, sale, and use—vendors continue to sell them in markets, and online delivery remains prohibited. The Delhi Government implemented this ban on October 14, lasting until January 1, 2025.

Indian Olympic hopefuls may face reduced access to public funds as the government considers revising its Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Discussions are ongoing within the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), a committee of former athletes, coaches, and officials, regarding new selection criteria that could be finalized in the coming weeks. Currently, around 300 athletes in core and developmental groups receive financial support through TOPS, but an MOC official indicated that this number could be cut in half if stricter selection rules are implemented.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy explains the situation on the India and China border. He shares in depth details of the LAC Agreement and what it means for both the countries.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Harikishan Sharma about the Livestock census. India has begun its 21st livestock census and he shares its significance, how its conducted and how it helps the livestock farmers. (12:54)

Finally, we talk about ED's action on the scan around the Diljit Dosanjh and Coldplay concert tickets. (22:28)

Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda. 
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

As part of our ongoing collaboration with Central Square Foundation - we're excited to bring to you the fifth and the final part of this series where we will speak to educators and academicians who rely on the need for effective assessment techniques at key stages of a child’s learning journey. These assessments form the backbone of the various learning interventions and activities carried out by a teacher in the classroom. 

Experts argue that evaluating the academic journey of a student at crucial transition points such as grades 3, 5, and 8 is key to mapping their learning journey. This facilitates early intervention, helps identify gaps in student’s learning and informs teachers to develop strategies to address these gaps, thereby ensuring students are adequately prepared to transition to higher grades. 

In this episode, Niharika Nanda will be in conversation with Dr. Jayshree Oza, Senior Advisor, CSF and Sridhar Rajagopalan, Co-founder & Chief Learning Officer, Educational Initiatives. 

Hosted and produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First four episodes of our series with CSF:

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 25th of October and here are this week’s headlines.

Indian airlines have been hit by a spate of bomb hoaxes since last Monday as at least 30 flights received bomb threats via social media, taking the total number of such threats to over 120 over the past eight days. Additionally, 13 Air India international flights flying from Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi received bomb threats via a tweet on Tuesday. Most of the bomb threats have come from anonymous and unverified social media accounts. In a bulk of the cases, the social media accounts that posted the threats were set up only recently, and were suspended by X after the threats. In some cases, the threats were issued for flights that had already been operated for the day or were not scheduled to operate.

A day after India said that it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling arrangements in the border areas, Beijing said on Tuesday that the two sides “have reached a solution” on “relevant matters” but did not give any details. The Global Times reported that in response to questions about the reported agreement between India and China on border patrols in disputed areas, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian “confirmed progress”. It further stated, “China and India have maintained close communication through diplomatic and military channels regarding border-related issues. 

Amid the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to resolving issues through diplomacy and dialogue. Speaking at a pleanary session of the 16th BRICS Summit, he stated, "We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war." PM Modi highlighted pressing global challenges, including wars, economic uncertainty, climate change, and terrorism, and emphasized that BRICS can contribute positively to global progress. He further added, quote "We must convey to the world that BRICS is not a divisive group, but one that serves the public interest," unquote.

Heavy rainfall affected parts of West Bengal and Odisha as the states prepared for the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana later on Thursday night. After assessing cyclone preparedness in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced that evacuations would be completed within hours. Currently located over the east-central Bay of Bengal, it is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Bhi-tar-kanika National Park and Dhamra Port. Odisha has already evacuated over a million people from vulnerable areas. The meteorological department predicts that Jagatsingh-pur, Kendra-para, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts will experience the worst effects, with wind speeds reaching 100-120 km/h.

On the global front, Khalistani violent extremism poses a significant challenge for Canada, according to Chandra Arya, a prominent MP of Indian origin. Speaking in the House of Commons, Arya emphasized the need for law enforcement to address the issue seriously. He noted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is actively investigating this extremism through a national task force. Arya highlighted that extremism and terrorism transcend national borders, urging agencies to prioritize this pressing concern.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

For our episodes with CSF, check out the following links:

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4

First, The Indian Express’ Legal Editor, Apurva Vishwanath, talks about the Supreme Court upholding the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act. She discusses the court's observations and the implications of the verdict for broader citizenship issues, including the powers of Parliament on the matter.

Next, The Indian Express’ Mihir Vasavda explains why India might win significantly fewer medals in the next edition of the Commonwealth Games, and what that could mean for the future of the Games (15:36).

Finally, The Indian Express’ Mallica Joshi tells us about a new trend in stubble burning data and the extent to which the practice impacts Delhi’s air quality (25:16).

Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Listen to our five part series with the CSF:

• Part 1: https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/the-rss-bjp-rift-rise-in-indian-asylum-seekers-and-a-bid-to-muzzle-press/9550762/
  
  
• Part 2: https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/role-of-edtech-in-ensuring-continued-at-home-learning/9579623/
  
  
• Part 3: https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/unlocking-the-power-of-play-a-key-to-early-childhood-education/9604148/
  
  
• Part 4: https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/the-evolving-space-for-ai-in-edtech-for-students-and-teachers/9627570/

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 24th of October and here are the headlines.

After assessing cyclone preparedness in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced that evacuations would be completed within hours. Heavy rainfall affected parts of West Bengal and Odisha as the states prepared for the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana later tonight. Currently located over the east-central Bay of Bengal, the storm is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port. Odisha has already evacuated over a million people from vulnerable areas. The meteorological department predicts that Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts will experience the worst effects, with wind speeds reaching 100-120 km/h.

A key meeting of the Public Accounts Committee was adjourned after SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch notified the panel just hours before the meeting that she couldn't attend due to a "personal exigency." PAC Chairman K C Venugopal stated that the committee postponed the meeting following SEBI's communication about Buch's absence. He also noted that Buch had previously requested an exception to appear before the PAC, which was denied.

The Supreme Court dismissed a contempt petition against officials from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, which alleged unlawful demolitions in violation of prior court orders. The bench observed that the petition by the National Federation of Indian Women relied primarily on newspaper reports and lacked substantial evidence to support its claims. Without concrete proof, the court ruled that media reports alone were insufficient to warrant pursuing a contempt case, leading to the dismissal of the petition.

Khalistani violent extremism poses a significant challenge for Canada, according to Chandra Arya, a prominent MP of Indian origin. Speaking in the House of Commons, Arya emphasized the need for law enforcement to address the issue seriously. He noted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is actively investigating this extremism through a national task force. Arya highlighted that extremism and terrorism transcend national borders, urging agencies to prioritize this pressing concern.

Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, was released from Adiala Jail on Thursday after obtaining bail related to a case involving the illegal sale of state gifts. Her release comes after nearly nine months of imprisonment, having been arrested in January. Imran Khan remains incarcerated in the same facility, where he has been held since August of last year. Bibi's release marks a significant development amid the ongoing legal troubles faced by the couple.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, The Indian Express' Man Aman Singh Chhina recounts the tragic crash of an Indian Air Force aircraft which took place 56 years ago and its remains are still being recovered. He shares how the accident resulted in the deaths of all 98 passengers on board, including six crew members and 92 soldiers.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Dipanita Nath who shares details of the new border that is being created between Switzerland and Italy. The two nations are redrawing their border due to climate change.(13:46)

Finally, we talk about cyclone Dana that is about to make its landfall in Odisha. (21:55)

Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 23rd of October and here are the headlines.


Cyclone Dana has formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal and is forecasted to make landfall as a severe cyclonic storm between the Bhitarkanika and Dhamra areas of Odisha. Officials from the Indian Meteorological Department predict wind speeds of 100-120 km/h on the night of October 24. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that the strongest winds will impact districts including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Balasore in Odisha, as well as East Medinipur in West Bengal. The cyclone is also expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to coastal and northern Odisha, affecting a total of 14 districts.

Amid ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to resolving issues through diplomacy and dialogue. Speaking at a plenary session of the 16th BRICS Summit, he stated, "We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war." Modi highlighted pressing global challenges, including wars, economic uncertainty, climate change, and terrorism, and emphasized that BRICS can contribute positively to global progress. "We must convey to the world that BRICS is not a divisive group, but one that serves the public interest," he added.


Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra officially submitted her nomination papers for the Lok Sabha bypoll in Wayanad, Kerala, marking her first electoral contest. Following a large roadshow in Kalpetta, she arrived at the district collectorate to file her papers with District Collector and Returning Officer D R Meghashree. Priyanka was accompanied by her brother Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while her mother Sonia Gandhi and party General Secretary K C Venugopal looked on.

In a ruling that boosts states’ coffers, a 9-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that states can tax and regulate “industrial alcohol.” The ruling, a 8:1 majority verdict determined that “industrial alcohol” can be categorised within “the meaning of intoxicating liquor” which states are allowed to tax under Entry 8 of List II (state list). The SC held that state’s powers cannot be narrowed only to tax alcoholic beverages. Excise duty levied on alcohol is a key component of a state’s revenue, with states often adding an additional excise duty on alcohol consumption to drive its income up. For example, in 2023, Karnataka hiked the Additional Excise Duty (AED) on Indian Made Liquor (IML) by 20%.


A prominent student organization that led protests against Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh held demonstrations in Dhaka, calling for the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. This demand follows Shahabuddin's remarks in an interview with the Bangla daily Manab Zamin, where he stated he had no documentary evidence of Hasina resigning before she left the country in August amid mass student protests. The Anti-discrimination Student Movement, which played a key role in Hasina's ousting, gathered in front of the Central Shaheed Minar, demanding Shahabuddin’s resignation.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

The Delhi police are currently investigating an international kidney transplant racket that was allegedly being run by individuals with links to two well known hospitals in the National Capital Region—Apollo and Yatharth.

An investigation of case records by The Indian Express, including interrogation reports, international approval forms, and call records, lay bare the racket that led to the arrest of 10 individuals, including a 50-year-old surgeon who allegedly conducted around 20-25 transplants for Bangladeshi patients over the past three years.

In this episode, The Indian Express’ Health Editor, Kaunain Sheriff, who led the investigation for the paper, discusses its key findings and the concerns it raises.

You can read the first part of the investigation here.

Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day from The Indian Express.