3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Niharika Nanda
Today is the 8th of October and here are the headlines.

In the Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP exceeded expectations, leading in over 46 seats and securing a third consecutive term. This success can be attributed to key strategies including consolidating non-Jat votes by naming Nayab Singh Saini as CM candidate, replacing 60 candidates to counter anti-incumbency, and highlighting development and Direct Benefit Transfers in campaigns. 

In response to the results, the Congress made an unprecedented move by refusing to accept the election results, alleging a “conspiracy” involving the manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines. This marks the first time a major party has rejected an electoral outcome citing EVM tampering. 

Meanwhile, The National Conference and Congress alliance is poised to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir after the first Assembly election in a decade for the Union Territory. National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah won decisively in both Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies. Following Omar’s victory in Budgam, his father and NC Chief Farooq Abdullah stated that he will become the CM. The BJP on the other hand, achieved its highest-ever vote share in J&K assembly polls, winning a total of 29 seats.

Moving on from the assembly polls, India's domestic aviation market continues to strengthen, recording an 8.1% year-on-year increase in September with 1.32 crore passengers, according to ICRA, which maintains a stable outlook for the sector. Passenger numbers were also 15.2% higher than pre-pandemic levels in September 2019. As the world's third-largest and fastest-growing aviation market, India’s aviation sector has staged a rapid recovery from the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

An eight-year-old boy was run over by a speeding BMC garbage dumper on Tuesday morning. The Shivaji Nagar police have registered an FIR against the driver, who has since been arrested. Local residents have raised concerns about the dangers posed by speeding dumper drivers near the dump yard and have called for speed breakers on the road. According to a Shivaji Nagar police officer, the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. in the Zakir Hussain Nagar area.

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

First, we talk to Indian Express’ Jayprakash S Naidu about the biggest Maoist encounter in the history of Chhattisgarh which led to the death of 31 Maoists. He shares how it happened, the intelligence tip that the security personnel received and more.

Next, Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak talks to us about the Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed in August and how that has caused a political war of words, as a part of which Devendra Fadnavis accused Jawaharlal Nehru of insulting Shivaji. (7:57)

And in the end, we talk about Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar retiring from gymnastics. (18:25)

Hosted, written and produced by Niharika Nanda
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 7th of October and here are the headlines.

India and Maldives agreed to elevate the ties to a comprehensive economic and strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the visiting President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu in New Delhi today. The two leaders witnessed the exchange of five pacts including one on currency swap and other on training of judicial officers, prevention of corruption, law enforcement training, sports and youth affairs. They also launched the Rupay card in the Maldives, handed over 700 social housing units and inaugurated a new airport runway at the Hanimaadhoo International Airport.

The ED began a raid at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, confirmed a source from the Central agency, on Chandigarh Road in Ludhiana early today. The source from ED said the raid at Arora’s residence at Hampton Homes colony was in connection with a chunk of land that was allotted to him by the Punjab government some years ago. The source further said, “The land was allotted for an industrial project, but the agreement was breached, and the land was used for a residential project.”

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court granted bail today to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav in a money laundering case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam. The case, in which the accused were summoned after taking cognisance of a supplementary chargesheet, pertained to Group-D appointments made in the West Central Railway Zone in Jabalpur when Lalu was Railways Minister, allegedly in return for land parcels for his family and associates. All the accused were granted relief on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh each, noting that they were mentioned in the chargesheet, but not arrested. The matter will now be heard on October 23 and 24.

Today marks a year of the war in West Asia which was sparked by the Hamas-led militant attacks on southern Israel. The attack which triggered Israel’s military assault on Gaza still continues to intensify putting West Asia on the brink of all-out war. News agency Reuters reported, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza fired four rockets into Israel today. The Israeli military said there were no  casualties as three rockets were intercepted and a fourth fell in an open area. The forces have also launched a wave of artillery and airstrikes overnight, targetting Hamas launch posts and underground militant infrastructure.

Two Chinese nationals were killed in a blast near Paskistan’s Karachi airport on Sunday night, which the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan described as a “terrorist attack.” Pakistani broadcaster Geo News reported that at least ten people were injured in the explosion. As reported by news agency Reuters, the separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the explosion in a statement emailed to journalists. They stated that the attack was carried out using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeting Chinese nationals, including engineers.

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

Tomorrow, on October 8th, the Election Commission will reveal the results of the much-anticipated Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections — the first to be held in a decade. With voting spread across three phases, this election has seen a surge in political activity, with parties vying to reshape the region’s future.

In today’s episode, The Indian Express’ Naveed Iqbal joins us to take a deep dive into how these elections have unfolded, the core issues driving voter sentiment, and what’s really at stake for the people of J&K. She provides on-ground insights into the key narratives and power dynamics that could define the region’s path ahead.

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

As part of our ongoing collaboration with Central Square Foundation - we bring to you the third part of this series of conversations where we will speak to experts in the field of Early Childhood Education to understand how play-based learning plays a significant role in fostering holistic development.

In the play based learning approach, children engage in activities that allow them to explore, experiment and discover concepts through play, supporting their emotional, social and physical growth. Play can be both structured/guided and free play. Through play, children learn to collaborate, communicate and navigate different social situations, all while building resilience and creativity.

In this episode, Niharika Nanda will be in conversation with Prof. Venita Kaul, Professor Emerita (Education), Ambedkar University, Delhi, Anustup Nayak, Project Director, Early Childhood Education, CSF and Suman, who is an Aanganwadi worker.

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


Episode 1

Episode 2

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 4th of October and here are the headlines.

The Supreme Court on Monday stated the lab reports prima facie indicate that the samples of ghee tested belonged to the cooking medium which was not used in the preparation of the laddus at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, while hearing a clutch of petitions, the Bench also sought to know why Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu went public with the matter without waiting for the report of the investigation ordered by his government. The court asked the Centre to respond if the Special Investigation Team set up by the Andhra Pradesh Government should continue to probe the allegations.  

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls wrapped up on Tuesday as voting was underway for the final 40 seats in the third and largest phase of the elections. A voter turnout of 65.65 per cent was recorded on Tuesday. In contrast to the first two phases, the bulk of the seats in the third one totalling to 24 seats are in the Jammu division, while 16 are in Kashmir. According to the Election Commission, the second phase of the J&K polls on 25th of September recorded a voter turnout of 57.31 per cent and 61.38 per cent in the first phase. Results will be announced on 8th of October.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that the guidelines it will lay down for demolitions of unauthorised constructions will be applicable pan-India and for all religions. The bench said it will make it clear that merely because a person is an accused or even a convict, it can’t be a ground for demolition of property. The court further added that it was not encouraging encroachments and cluttering of footpaths. The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions which have alleged that properties, including of those accused of crime, were being demolished. A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud intervened in the case involving the Isha Yoga Foundation, presided over by spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. The Supreme Court has stayed a previous order from the Madras High Court that directed police to investigate criminal cases against the foundation and report on alleged illegal confinement of two women, daughters of a retired professor, who claimed they were being held against their will. During the proceedings, the bench emphasised that allowing police or military forces into such institutions could infringe on religious freedoms stating quote “you can’t let the Army or the police into an institution like this” unquote.

After a day where Israel and Hezbollah troops clashed at close range in southern Lebanon, Israel bombed central Beirut in the early hours Thursday. The Israel Defence Forces said they had killed 15 Hezbollah members after a strike on a municipality building in Southern Lebanon.  Meanwhile, Lebanese security officials said three missiles also hit the southern suburb of Dahiyeh in early hours, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week, and loud explosions were heard. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sollivan in Washington DC and India, while calling for “restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians”, advised all its nationals to “avoid all non-essential travel to Iran”.

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

First, The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary discusses the allegations of money laundering against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and why the case is more complex than it appears.

Next, The Indian Express' Kiran Parashar talks about the four Pakistani nationals who were caught living on the outskirts of Bengaluru last week and the reasons why they came to India (09:10). 

Finally, The Indian Express' Vidheesha Kuntamala covers the case of Atul Kumar, an 18-year-old student who cleared the JEE but lost his seat at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad due to an alleged technical glitch. She explains how he regained the seat with the intervention of the Supreme Court and why, unfortunately, his case is the only one (16:54).

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

Episode 3 for our series in association with CSF drops tomorrow.
Here are parts 1 and 2:

Further listening:

• CSF Episode 1
  
  
• CSF Episode 2

As part of our ongoing collaboration with Central Square Foundation - we're excited to bring to you the third part of this series where we will speak to experts in the field of Early Childhood Education to understand, how play-based learning is significant for fostering holistic development. In order to ensure learning outcomes for all children are met CSF has been working towards system-led reforms to ensure quality access to school education to children across India.

The episode will be out this Saturday, the 5th of October. The conversation will be available on our website indianexpress.com and everywhere you get your podcasts. Make sure you listen. To listen to the first and the second episode, check out the link provided in the description.

Episode 1: https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/the-rss-bjp-rift-rise-in-indian-asylum-seekers-and-a-bid-to-muzzle-press/9550762/

Episode 2: https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/role-of-edtech-in-ensuring-continued-at-home-learning/9579623/ 

Now, on with the show.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.

Today is the 3rd of October and here are the headlines.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has intervened in the case involving the Isha Yoga Foundation, presided over by spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. The Supreme Court has stayed a previous order from the Madras High Court that directed police to investigate criminal cases against the foundation and report on alleged illegal confinement of two women, daughters of a retired professor, who claimed they were being held against their will. During the proceedings, the bench emphasised that allowing police or military forces into such institutions could infringe on religious freedoms stating “you can’t let the Army or the police into an institution like this”.

Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus-led government, as per Bangla daily Prothom Alo reported, has ordered five envoys, including its ambassador to India, to relinquish their posts and return to Dhaka immediately. The interim government has recalled its envoys in Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York. The major diplomatic reshuffle follows the recall of Saida Muna Tasneem, the high commissioner to Britain, who was asked to return in a similar way.

A doctor was shot dead in what appears to be a targeted attack at a small nursing home located in Kalindi Kunj in South East Delhi in the early hours today. When the police team arrived at the scene, they found Dr Javed Akhtar, a Unani practitioner, slumped over his desk with a gunshot wound to the left side of his head. The police further added that the Forensic teams from the District Crime Unit and Forensic Science Laboratory at Rohini were called to the scene, and collected evidence for analysis. 

The ED today summoned cricketer-turned-politician Mohammed Azharuddin in relation to a money laundering case during his tenure as the president of Hyderabad Cricket Association. Sources said that the Congress leader has sought time to appear in front of the agency. As part of a Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) case, the ED is probing alleged financial irregularities in the HCA, for which it conducted searches in November last year.

After a day where Israeli and Hezbollah troops clashed at close range in southern Lebanon, Israel bombed central Beirut in the early hours today. The Israel Defence Forces said they had killed 15 Hezbollah members after a strike on a municipality building in Southern Lebanon.  Lebanese security officials said three missiles also hit the southern suburb of Dahiyeh in early hours, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week, and loud explosions were heard. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington DC and India, while calling for “restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians”, advised all its nationals to “avoid all non-essential travel to Iran”.  

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

First, we talk to Indian Express’ Parul Kulshrestha about a series of leopard attacks in Udaipur. The attacks have taken seven lives and have left the villagers scared. She talks about the action taken by the forest department and the reason behind these incidents.

Next, Indian Express’ Mohamed Thaver informs us about the complaint that has been filed against online ticketing platform Book My Show and the investigation that is taking place regarding the tickets for the concert of the renowned band Coldplay.  (8:44)

And in the end, we talk about a helicopter crash in Pune that killed three. (18:31)

Hosted, written and produced by Niharika Nanda
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 2nd of October and here are the headlines.

Israel’s military Wednesday said it is engaged in “close-range” operations in southern Lebanon and dismantled Hezbollah’s infrastructure through precision-guided munitions. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) added that “over 150 terrorist infrastructure sites have been destroyed in air strikes, including Hezbollah’s HQ, weapon storage facilities, and rocket launchers.” Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it was clashing with Israeli troops in the border town of Maroun el-Ras after it had pushed back forces near another border town. The group said it had also fired rockets at military posts inside Israel. This comes at a time when the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated following Tehran firing a barrage of missiles at Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

67 Indians trapped in job scams in Cambodia have now been rescued, the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh announced today. While 39 of them have already reached India, 28 others will be leaving Cambodia soon, it added. THe embassy in a statement declared: “The Embassy of India, Phnom Penh has been actively engaged in rescuing and repatriating Indian nationals trapped in fraudulent job offers obtained through fake agents, who lure them into cyber crime in scam compounds. On 22 September, following specific leads by the Embassy, the Cambodian Police rescued 67 such Indian nationals from Poipet."

Three people were killed this morning when the helicopter they were flying in crashed in the Bavdhan area of Pune while on its way to Mumbai. Vinoykumar Choubey, Police Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad, confirmed the deaths. According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Girishkumar Pillai, Pritamchand Bharadwaaj, and Paramjeet.

Days after CPI(M) said it had “snapped all ties” with Left-backed legislator PV Anvar, another party-backed independent legislator and former minister KT Jaleel today said he would quit electoral politics after the term of the current Kerala Assembly ends in 2026. Addressing the media in Malappuram, Thavanur MLA Jaleel said: “I have no commitment to any party, be it CPI(M) or Congress. But I will continue to cooperate with the CPI(M). I agree with certain issues raised by PV Anvar. At the same time, I disagree with him on certain other issues”.

The Centre has said that in emergencies where the state forest department lacks the necessary technical expertise, other government departments may be allowed to carry out forestry activities in forests to prevent natural disasters. The Union Environment Ministry on Tuesday issued guidelines detailing steps that can be taken to prevent or manage natural disasters in forest areas. The guidelines were issued after Uttarakhand’s chief secretary wrote to the ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority, asking them to explore and evolve effective measures for areas prone to frequent forest fires.

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