BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of whitewashing dynasty’s past
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of whitewashing historical wrongs committed by the Nehru-Gandhi family in her memoir, Belonging, released on Nov 10, reported Reuters.
BJP spokesman C R Kesavan alleged the book sugar-coated the dynasty’s past.
Congress leaders countered that the BJP was giving the memoir a political spin ahead of key state elections. The book traces Ms Sonia’s personal and political journey.
Billionaire’s brain blood-flow tracker faces scrutiny
A US$907 (S$1,150) wearable device developed by Indian entrepreneur Deepinder Goyal has drawn criticism from doctors over its claims of tracking blood flow to the brain, reported Reuters.
Called Temple, the tiny device has been worn by cricket captain Shubman Gill and Olympic badminton medallist P V Sindhu.
Medical experts say its capabilities lack peer-reviewed scientific evidence and have called for regulatory scrutiny.
Toxic smog overwhelms pollution monitors
India’s pollution monitors were overwhelmed by toxic smog during Deepavali, with concentrations exceeding their measurement limit, equivalent to 66 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum, reported AFP.
Opposition politicians accused authorities of deliberately allowing gaps in pollution readings overnight on Nov 8 and 9.
The Central Pollution Control Board rejected allegations of under-reporting, attributing the missing data to differences in pollutant concentration measurements.
Singapore-based man shot dead over parking dispute
A Singapore-based Indian man was allegedly shot dead by his neighbour following a parking dispute in Faridabad, Haryana, on Nov 6, reported The Statesman.
Mr Paramjit Dhankar had returned to India two days earlier to attend his nephew’s wedding.
Police said the accused, Mohan alias Monu Sharma, allegedly fired 15 to 16 rounds from a licensed pistol. Sharma fled following the shooting.
Cabinet approves US$340 million mega-museum
The Cabinet approved on Nov 11 a US$340 million museum showcasing India’s history and civilisation.
The Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum will occupy New Delhi’s historic North and South Blocks, covering approximately 178,509 sq m. The government said it would have the world’s largest museum display area.
The first gallery is expected to open by end-2027, with completion scheduled for the 2030-31 financial year.
Three CRPF personnel injured in Kashmir attack
Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured after motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at a security checkpost in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Nov 11, reported NDTV.
The attack occurred around 2.15pm at Akhran near Mir Bazar. The injured personnel, identified as Rakesh Dass, Santosh Chandru and Somveer Singh, were taken to a hospital in Anantnag.
The attackers fled the scene.
Three workers die at Tata’s iPhone parts plant
Three contract workers died at a Tata Electronics facility manufacturing Apple iPhone components in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, on Nov 9, reported Reuters.
The workers were assigned to clean an effluent treatment plant.
Senior district official Dinesh Kumar told The New Indian Express that they inhaled gas while inspecting an external nano-filtration tank. They were rushed to a private hospital but declared dead on arrival.
Moody’s raises India’s growth forecast to 7%
Credit rating agency Moody’s has raised India’s economic growth forecast from 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent for the financial year ending March 2027.
Strong consumption, improving investment and sound macroeconomic fundamentals are expected to sustain growth.
Moody’s said India had weathered the energy supply shock arising from the Iran war better than anticipated by diversifying oil and gas supplies and cushioning consumers.
Visa application process simplified
India has reduced its main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23 to simplify applications for foreign nationals.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said visa application form fields had been reduced by 65 to 70 per cent.
The revised framework is expected to become operational by year-end, improving administrative efficiency and reducing the time applicants spend providing information.
Tourist dies in Himachal paragliding accident
A 26-year-old tourist from Greater Noida died after falling from a paraglider during a tandem flight at Bir-Billing in Himachal Pradesh on Nov 10.
Mr Shubham Dobhiyal fell about six minutes after take-off, landing in a forest. Police registered a case of causing death by negligence against pilot Vinay Kumar, reported NDTV.
Preliminary investigations suggest a safety belt may have opened or broken during the flight.
Hockey Olympian’s stolen gold medal recovered
Bengaluru police have recovered eight stolen sporting medals, including former Indian hockey player M.M. Somaya’s 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal, and arrested two suspects.
The medals were stolen from his residence in late October while his family was away, reported the Hindustan Times.
Police also recovered other belongings, including an Olympic kit bag.
Thanking the officers, Mr Somaya said: “I feel like I have won the medals all over again.”
