citizenrecord

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Bangladesh unrest: Kolkata traders facing losses, businesses down in last 15 days

The political unrest in Bangladesh has severely impacted Kolkata's traders, with over 500 businessmen facing significant losses due to the decline in Bangladeshi customers. The collapse of the Bangladeshi government has halted the influx of Bangladeshi visitors to Kolkata, affecting various businesses dependent on their patronage.

Their business had been declining for the past 15 days, but since Monday, after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country and the government collapsed, Kolkata businessmen have been experiencing huge losses.

Many people who come to Kolkata from Bangladesh live in Marquise Street, Kyd Street, Esplanade, and the Newmarket area. Since Bangladeshis prefer to stay in these areas whenever they visit Kolkata, traders here are completely dependent on Bangladeshi citizens for their livelihood. From foreign currency exchange centers to travel agencies, visa assistance centers, and bus, train, and flight ticket booking agencies, as well as hotels, restaurants, and various small to large businesses, have sprung up in every corner of these particular areas.

Apart from tourists, numerous people from Bangladesh come to Kolkata for medical treatment. However, since the protests started in Bangladesh, the number of Bangladeshis traveling to Kolkata has decreased, causing businessmen in these areas to suffer from the economic downturn.

Since the government collapsed in Bangladesh, Bangladeshi people have almost stopped coming to Kolkata. Bangladeshi citizens who had already made appointments with doctors in Kolkata have been canceled in the last few days. Several hospitals in Mukundapur, Kolkata, which completely depend on Bangladeshi patients, are also suffering from a lack of patients.

Suhail Akhter Qureshi, the owner of a renowned travel agency in Kolkata, told India Today, "Our business was going bad for the last 15-20 days, but since yesterday, we are sitting in an empty shop because no customers are coming to book any tickets. The train between Kolkata and Dhaka was suspended, and flight operations were also suspended. Our business is losing because of this political unrest in Bangladesh”.

Asif Iqbal, a forex trader in Kolkata, told India Today, "Since the rate of the Bangladeshi currency has fallen from 72 to 68, we are facing huge losses in the forex business. We have never faced this significant a loss in forex trade in recent times”.

Shiv Kant Choudhary, a hotel and restaurant owner, told India Today, "We mainly rely on Bangladeshis for business in this area, but our hotels have been completely empty for the past few days as all those who booked rooms in advance have canceled. The streets that used to be so crowded are now almost empty”.

Like almost everyone else, these Kolkata businessmen are hoping the situation in Bangladesh returns to normal soon so that they can resume their trade depending on Bangladeshi citizens in Kolkata.

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Budget 2024: What Is Cheaper, What Is Costlier?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a major reduction in customs duty on cancer medicines and mobile phones, which will significantly bring down their prices in the retail market. Imported gold, silver, leather goods and seafood will also get cheaper.

"The government will exempt 3 more cancer treatment drugs from Customs duty. I will also reduce basic customs duty on mobile phones, chargers and other mobile parts," Ms Sitharaman said while presenting Budget 2024 in the parliament.

Ms Sitharaman slashes import duties on gold and silver to 6%, a move that industry officials say could boost retail demand and help in curtailing smuggling in the world's second-biggest bullion consumer.

Higher demand for gold from India could support global prices, which hit a record high earlier this year, although that could increase India's trade deficit and weigh on the ailing rupee.

On the other hand, the government will raise customs duty on ammonium nitrate by 10% and by 25% on non-biodegradable plastics.

This is the first budget of the Modi 3.0 government and is expected to have a significant impact on India's economic landscape, touching upon various sectors from infrastructure development to social welfare programs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday had said that the Finance Minister will present a strong budget, adding that he will ensure that the government's guarantees reach the common man. Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday - on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament - tabled the Economic Survey in Parliament.

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"Save As Much As ₹ 17,500": Finance Minister on New Tax Regime Slabs

Standard deduction in the new tax regime will be increased from ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 75,000, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Tuesday as she announced the 2024 Union Budget.

Ms Sitharaman also announced revisions to tax slabs in the new regime. As a result, the Finance Minister told Parliament, salaried employees can save as much as ₹ 17,500 in the new regime.

It will also, she said, provide salaried individuals with higher tax savings and more disposable income.

Existing new tax regime slabs (effective for FY 2023-24) were as follows:

Income up to ₹ 3 lakh - Nil Rs 3 lakh to ₹ 6 lakh - 5 per cent Rs 6 lakh to ₹ 9 lakh - 10 per cent Rs 9 lakh to ₹ 12 lakh - 15 per cent Rs 12 lakh to ₹ 15 lakh - 20 per cent Above ₹ 15 lakh - 30 per cent The increase in standard deduction was one of the most anticipated ahead of the budget speech.

Industry experts speculated this could double to ₹ 1,00,000, but Ms Sitharaman fell slightly short.

In addition, deduction on family pension for pensioners will be increased from ₹ 15,000 to ₹ 25,000.

These tweaks will bring relief for around four crore salaried individuals and pensioners, she said.

Changes to income tax slabs, old and new, were in focus ahead of Ms Sitharaman's speech as the country's mammoth middle class clamoured for relief from tax burdens. There was little joy for the middle class in the interim budget - which pegged gross tax revenue at ₹ 38.31 lakh crore for 2024-25, an 11.46 per cent growth over the last fiscal - so all eyes were on the Finance Minister today.

Ms Sitharaman, however, had to walk a tight rope as she looks to stimulate growth and provide relief.

Another big expectation was a hike in exemption limit. Under the new regime, those earning under ₹ 3 lakh a year are exempt from paying tax. There was speculation this could be raised to ₹ 5 lakh.

There was, however, no such announcement.

There was also no changes announced for tax slabs under the old regime. This is amid speculation the government plans to do away with this option for next year.

The Finance Minister also announced a comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act of 1961, which will make it easier to read and understand, and reduce uncertainty and potential for litigation.

This will be completed in six months.

As part of this overhaul, Ms Sitharaman said tax authorities could only re-open assessments within three years from end of assessment and if the escaped income is ₹ 50 lakh and over.

Even then, the time limit for search cases is to be reduced from 10 years to six before year of search.

"A beginning is being made in the Finance Bill by simplifying the tax regime for charities, TDS rate structure, provisions for reassessment and search provisions and capital gains taxation," she said.

As per the proposal, two tax exemption regimes for charities will be merged into one.

The five per cent TDS, or Tax Deducted at Source, rate is being merged into the two per cent rate and the 20 per cent rate on repurchase of units by mutual funds, or UTI, is being withdrawn, she said.

The TDS rate on e-commerce operators will be reduced from one to 0.1 per cent, she added.

Also, Ms Sitharaman said she proposed to decriminalise delay for payment of TDS, or Tax deducted at Source, up to the due date of filing the concerned statement.

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"Call Security": Chief Justice Blasts Lawyer, He Quotes Bible In Reply

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud today blasted a lawyer after he tried to interrupt the Supreme Court hearing in the case surrounding alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). NEET is an all-India exam for admission to medical courses.

Advocate Mathews Nedumpara, appearing for one of the petitioners, was interrupting when Narender Hooda, also representing a petitioner, was addressing the bench.

Responding to a question from the bench, Mr Nedumpara said he is the seniormost of all lawyers before the court. "I can answer. I am the amicus." The Chief Justice retorted, "I have not appointed any amicus." The advocate did not stop there. "If you don't respect me, I will leave."

This drew a sharp response from the Chief Justice. "Mr Nedumpara I am warning you. You will not speak to the gallery. I am in charge of the court. Please call security, have him removed from court," he said. To this, the lawyer replied, "I am leaving. I am going." The Chief Justice doubled down, "You do not have to say that, you can leave. I have seen judiciary for the last 24 years. I cannot let lawyers dictate procedure in this court."

Mr Nedumpara was not done yet. "I have seen it since 1979," he said. The Chief Justice then warned him that he will have to issue a direction. "I may have to issue something which is not fair. You will not interrupt any other lawyer," he said. The lawyer eventually left. He returned to the court later. "I am sorry. I have not done anything wrong. I was unfairly treated," the lawyer said. And then, he said he "forgives" the Chief Justice for "insulting" him and used the Biblical phrase: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

This is not the first time Mathews Nedumpara has been reprimanded by the Chief Justice for his conduct in the courtroom. In March this year, during the hearing in the Electoral Bonds case, the lawyer wanted to intervene and kept interrupting. At one point, the Chief Justice said firmly, "Don't shout at me… This is not a Hyde Park corner meeting, you are in the court. You want to move an application, file an application. You have got my decision as Chief Justice, we are not hearing you. If you want to file an application, move it on the email. That's the rule in this court."

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No One To Earn, 2 Weddings: Family Of Taxi Driver Who Died At Delhi Airport

A taxi driver died as the roof of Delhi airport's terminal-1 collapsed after heavy rains on Saturday night. Ramesh Kumar was rescued from a car on which an iron beam had fallen but was declared dead when he was taken to the Medanta Hospital near the terminal.

The 45-year-old's death has left his family in shock and grief. Ramesh, a resident of Vijay Vihar in Rohini, Delhi, was the sole breadwinner of his family, which includes two sons and two daughters. His son, Ravindra, expressed concern about how the family will manage without their father's support.

"We received a call at 8.30am in the morning. They told us that our father fainted at the airport and has been taken to the hospital. But they did not tell us that such a tragedy has occured," Ravindra says.

"When we went to the airport and asked the cops what was happening, they took us to a police station and kept us there till 4pm. Then they took us to the hospital, but did not tell us that he has died. After waiting for 2-3 hours, we were asked to come the next day and collect the body after post-mortem," he adds.

The family's grief has been compounded by the fact that Ramesh's daughters' weddings are upcoming, and they are now worried about how they will manage the expenses.

They are demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident and sought adequate compensation from the government.

The city witnessed heavy rains from around 3 am. At the airport's busy Terminal 1, the rain destruction took a tragic turn. Around 5 am, the massive canopy covering the departure area gave way, trapping several people. Besides the roof sheet, support beams collapsed, pinning down parked cars.

Several videos of water accumulated on the shed also surfaced on social media. One of the videos shows there are cracks and leaks on the shed.

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5 Soldiers In Tank Swept Away While Crossing River Near China Border

Five soldiers of the Indian Army were killed after their tank met with an accident during a river-crossing exercise near the Line of Actual Control in Leh's Daulat Beg Oldi area in the early hours of Saturday, officials said.

A Junior Commissioned Officer, or JCO, is among the five killed in the accident that happened.

The soldiers were on a routine exercise around 3 am today. While crossing the Bodhi River near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from Leh, on their T-72 tank, the water levels suddenly began to rise, official sources said. Soon the tank and the soldiers were submerged in the swelling river, they added.

A rescue operation was immediately launched and all five bodies were retrieved.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the nation in mourning the deaths.

"Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while getting the tank across a river in Ladakh. We will never forget the exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief," he posted on X.

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Sunita Williams May Have To Wait Months In Space. What NASA Is Planning Now

Projected to last only days, the first crewed test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft with two astronauts onboard faces uncertainty with no exact return to Earth announced.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich has said that the US space agency is considering extending the duration of Starliner's mission from 45 days to 90 days, CNN reported.

Officials have repeatedly hinted that the Starliner, which faced issues with helium leaks and thruster outages heading to the International Space Station in early June, will be safe to bring astronauts including indian-origin Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Butch Wilmore home.

On Friday, Stich said that NASA is considering extending the maximum length of Starliner's mission from 45 days to 90 days and there is no firm return date on the horizon, according to CNN report.

Addressing a briefing on Friday, the NASA official said, "We're just looking at the timeline to execute (the test in New Mexico) and then review the data." He further said, "And that's what's really the long pole, I would say, determining a landing date."

Stich added, "We're not in a rush to come home."

Part of that desired extension is due to the ground tests that Boeing and NASA plan to conduct in New Mexico, seeking to better understand why some of the Starliner's thrusters unexpectedly failed during the first leg of its journey.

Stich and Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of the Commercial Crew Program for Boeing, also said that engineers are still not certain about the reason behind the Starliner's problems.

Nappi said that part of the aim is conducting the ground tests while the vehicle is still in space is to try to whittle down possible reasons why the thrusters malfunctioned.

Mark Nappi said, "So, if (the test in New Mexico) comes back and gives us all the answers, then we can just undock and come home."

He added, "If it comes back and says, 'Here's 80 per cent of the answer. And if you just run one more docked hot fire (test on the Starliner in orbit), then you can get 100 per cent of the answers' -- then we want (Starliner) to be there so that we can get that information."

Meanwhile, Williams and Wilmore have integrated with the rest of the crew currently aboard the International Space Station and are conducting routine tasks.

Several more helium leaks were identified while the craft was heading to the International Space Station, along with the thruster issues. The Starliner's service module, a cylindrical attachment at the bottom of the spacecraft that provides much of the vehicle's power during flight, faced several issues, CNN reported.

As per the design, the service module will not survive the return to Earth. The module is jettisoned and destroyed as the Starliner spacecraft reenters the atmosphere and that's the reason why Boeing and NASA teams then opted to leave the Starliner spacecraft safely docked with the space station while they worked to learn as much as possible about those issues.

It is not clear yet whether NASA will extend the maximum mission length to 90 days. Stich said officials must clear the battery life of the Starliner for that purpose. Although he noted that the batteries are being recharged at the space station, they should operate the same way after 90 days as they will for the first 45 days.

The spaceflight industry frequently experiences cost overruns, delays and unmet deadlines. However, Boeing has faced challenges that have stood out, particularly when the Starliner program is directly compared with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin worked throughout the day inventorying medical kits and cleaning fans inside the Rassvet module and Station Commander Oleg Kononenko replaced thermal components in Roscosmos' life support hardware.

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Tinder Date Gone Wrong: Man Scammed To Pay ₹ 1.2 Lakh Bill At Delhi Cafe

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi fielded three key questions to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the all-party meeting on the situation in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina's ouster as Prime Minister amid violent protests.

Mr Gandhi asked what is the government's short-term and long-term strategy in dealing with diplomatic ramifications of the power shift in Dhaka, sources have said. The minister replied that it is a developing situation and the Centre is analysing it closely so that it can fine-tune its next move.

The Congress leader also asked if there could be an involvement of foreign powers, specifically Pakistan, in the dramatic developments in Dhaka over the past few weeks that culminated in Hasina's ouster, the sources said. The Centre replied that it is investigating this angle. A source also pointed out that the government had said that a Pakistan diplomat had been constantly changing his social media display picture to reflect the situation in Bangladesh amid violent protests. The Centre said is probing if this points to anything bigger.

He also asked if New Delhi had foreseen the dramatic turn of events in Bangladesh. To this, the External Affairs Minister replied that India is monitoring the situation.

Congress and the other Opposition parties have pledged their full support to the Narendra Modi government in its handling of the neighbourhood crisis.

Following the meeting, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar put out a post on X, appreciating the Opposition's unanimous support. "Briefed an All-Party meeting in Parliament today about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended," he wrote.

At the meeting, also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Centre told MPs from all parties about the background to the crisis in Bangladesh and how it reached this point. They were also briefed about the situation there and how Ms Hasina escaped to India as her residence was stormed by protesters.

Ms Hasina is still in India and is likely to fly to the UK for political asylum. The Centre also told the all-party meet how it plans to respond to Ms Hasina, known to be New Delhi's old friend. Sources said New Delhi wants to give her time to decide her next course of action.

The government also told the meeting that it is in touch with Bangladesh Army, which has announced the formation of an interim government. The government told the Opposition parties that it is watching the developments closely and will take appropriate action at the right time.

There are about 20,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh and about 8,000 have returned. The government is in touch with them and the high commission is functioning. The Centre, sources said, is also tracking reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

Speaking to NDTV after the meeting, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that India's primary concern is the safety of Indian nationals in Bangladesh and the situation at the borders. Asked if the Opposition is satisfied with the way the government is handling the situation, he said, "The fact that the External Affairs Minister briefed all party leaders is a very welcome step. And we are with the government as far as national security is concerned."

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Rahul Gandhi's Pak Question At Meeting On Bangladesh, S Jaishankar's Reply

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi fielded three key questions to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the all-party meeting on the situation in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina's ouster as Prime Minister amid violent protests.

Mr Gandhi asked what is the government's short-term and long-term strategy in dealing with diplomatic ramifications of the power shift in Dhaka, sources have said. The minister replied that it is a developing situation and the Centre is analysing it closely so that it can fine-tune its next move.

The Congress leader also asked if there could be an involvement of foreign powers, specifically Pakistan, in the dramatic developments in Dhaka over the past few weeks that culminated in Hasina's ouster, the sources said. The Centre replied that it is investigating this angle. A source also pointed out that the government had said that a Pakistan diplomat had been constantly changing his social media display picture to reflect the situation in Bangladesh amid violent protests. The Centre said is probing if this points to anything bigger.

He also asked if New Delhi had foreseen the dramatic turn of events in Bangladesh. To this, the External Affairs Minister replied that India is monitoring the situation.

Congress and the other Opposition parties have pledged their full support to the Narendra Modi government in its handling of the neighbourhood crisis.

Following the meeting, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar put out a post on X, appreciating the Opposition's unanimous support. "Briefed an All-Party meeting in Parliament today about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended," he wrote.

At the meeting, also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Centre told MPs from all parties about the background to the crisis in Bangladesh and how it reached this point. They were also briefed about the situation there and how Ms Hasina escaped to India as her residence was stormed by protesters.

Ms Hasina is still in India and is likely to fly to the UK for political asylum. The Centre also told the all-party meet how it plans to respond to Ms Hasina, known to be New Delhi's old friend. Sources said New Delhi wants to give her time to decide her next course of action.

The government also told the meeting that it is in touch with Bangladesh Army, which has announced the formation of an interim government. The government told the Opposition parties that it is watching the developments closely and will take appropriate action at the right time.

There are about 20,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh and about 8,000 have returned. The government is in touch with them and the high commission is functioning. The Centre, sources said, is also tracking reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

Speaking to NDTV after the meeting, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that India's primary concern is the safety of Indian nationals in Bangladesh and the situation at the borders. Asked if the Opposition is satisfied with the way the government is handling the situation, he said, "The fact that the External Affairs Minister briefed all party leaders is a very welcome step. And we are with the government as far as national security is concerned."

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"No Provision For…": What UK Said On Sheikh Hasina Asylum Reports

British immigration rules do not allow individuals to travel to that country to seek asylum or temporary refuge, the UK Home Office told NDTV Tuesday morning, amid persistent speculation ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina, now in Delhi, will fly to London to claim sanctuary.

The UK government - now headed by Sir Keir Starmer following Labour's landslide win last month - also said individuals seeking asylum must do so "in the first safe country they reach".

"The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it. However, there is no provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge."

Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach - that is the fastest route to safety," a UK Home Office spokesperson told NDTV.

Nevertheless, sources indicate a formal asylum request is being processed.

Mrs Hasina, 76, was forced to resign as Prime Minister Monday evening after weeks-long protests over a jobs quota killed over 300 people. She fled Dhaka in a military aircraft - reportedly after the Bangladesh Army gave her a 45-minute ultimatum - and flew first to an IAF base in Uttar Pradesh.

Sources last night told NDTV Mrs Hasina - met on arrival in India by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval - would proceed on to London after her plane was refuelled. Since then, though, there has been confirmation of the former Prime Minister's schedule or, indeed, about her location.

Sources have, though, said she is in "protective custody" of Indian intelligence services.

She is accompanied by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, who is a UK citizen, which could be useful to claim asylum in that country. Also, her niece, Tulip Siddiq, is a British Labour parliamentarian.

Mrs Hasina's daughter, Saima Wazed, is based in Delhi as the regional chief for the World Health Organization. This, though, may not open doors as she works for an international agency.

This morning Bangladeshi publication Daily Sun cited unconfirmed sources as saying India has granted permission for an "interim stay", during which Mrs Hasina will get comprehensive logistical support.

This is reportedly only temporary and pending relocation to Britain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the Bangladesh situation, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken to leaders of all major political parties in the country.

At that meeting Mr Jaishankar spoke of a "conspiracy" to topple Mrs Hasina's government. This was in response to a question by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who asked if there could be an involvement of foreign powers, specifically Pakistan, in the dramatic developments in Dhaka over the past few weeks.

In speculation that has emerged (inevitably so) since Mrs Hasina quit, three key names are at the forefront, two of whom are the Army, which took charge after Mrs Hasina quit, and which may have given her a 45-minute ultimatum; and her nemesis and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was jailed in 2018 on corruption charges and whose release was ordered by the President.

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CUET MOCK: Taking CUET Preparation to Greater Heights

As the academic year advances, prospective undergraduates nationwide are gearing up for the inaugural Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2024. Promising a standardized evaluation and streamlined admissions process, CUET offers a critical opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities and gain admission to prestigious universities. To navigate this significant milestone confidently and competently, thorough preparation is essential. This guide provides a roadmap for effectively preparing for CUET 2024 with CUET MOCK, equipping students with the strategies and resources needed to excel on exam day.

Understand the Exam Format

The first step in preparation is to familiarize yourself with the CUET exam format, structure, and syllabus. Aspiring candidates should get to know the various sections of the test, such as Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, and Languages, and understand the types of questions and skills assessed in each section with the help of CUET MOCK. Additionally, understanding the marking scheme, time constraints, and scoring methodology is crucial for developing a focused preparation strategy.

Create a Study Plan

Given the wide range of subjects and topics covered in CUET, effective time management is vital. Develop a comprehensive study plan with CUET MOCK that allocates sufficient time for reviewing each subject area, practicing mock tests, and revising key concepts. A well-structured study plan helps manage time efficiently and ensures thorough preparation across all exam components.

Utilize Reliable Resources at CUET MOCK

Access to high-quality study materials and resources at CUET MOCK is integral to effective preparation for CUET 2024. Additionally, exploring previous years’ question papers and mock tests can familiarize you with the exam pattern and help assess your readiness for the actual test.

Practice Regularly

Regular practice is paramount when preparing for an entrance exam like CUET 2024. Dedicate ample time to regular practice sessions, solving sample questions, and attempting mock tests to hone your skills and build confidence. Analyze your performance in mock tests, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your study plan accordingly to address weaknesses effectively with the help of CUET MOCK.

Stay Updated and Stay Healthy

Stay informed about important dates, registration deadlines, and exam notifications to avoid any last-minute surprises. Additionally, prioritize self-care and well-being throughout the preparation process. A healthy mind and body are essential for optimal performance on exam day.

Seek Support and Stay Motivated

Remember, preparing for CUET 2024 is a journey that requires perseverance, dedication, and resilience. With the right mindset, preparation, and support, success in CUET 2024 is within reach.

As the countdown to CUET 2024 begins, aspiring candidates are encouraged to approach their preparation with diligence, determination, and a growth mindset. By following these strategies and leveraging available resources at CUET MOCK, students can maximize their potential, showcase their capabilities, and embark on a transformative academic journey through CUET 2024.

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Shravan and Sanjay Kumaran – India’s Youngest Mobile Application Programmers

Pioneering Talent in the World of Technology

In a world where prodigious talent can emerge from the most unexpected places, two young brothers from Chennai, India, have made their mark as the country’s youngest app developers and entrepreneurs.

Shravan and Sanjay Kumaran, who were in classes 6 and 8 when their journey began, created a buzz by becoming India’s youngest co-founders and CEOs. Their incredible accomplishments earned them a spot on the prestigious “30 Under 30” list.

The Genesis of GoDimensions

In 2011, at the ages of 8 and 10, the Kumaran brothers embarked on a remarkable journey by founding their own company, GoDimensions. Located in Chennai, their company’s headquarters was a space where innovation and youthful energy thrived. Sanjay assumed the role of CEO, while Shravan took on the mantle of President.

Fueling their journey was their father, Kumaran Surendran, who instilled a passion for programming in his young sons. From an early age, both boys displayed a keen interest in computers and began creating PowerPoint presentations at the tender age of four. Recognizing their potential, their father introduced them to the world of programming at a remarkably young age.

The Birth of Apps

Their journey in app development started with the creation of “Catch Me Cop,” a gaming app inspired by the popular childhood game in India known as ‘chor-police.’ However, this was just the beginning. The Kumaran brothers went on to create a range of apps, including educational apps like “Alphabet Board” and “Colour Palette,” an emergency service app called “Emergency Booth,” a prayer app, and gaming apps like “Superhero” and “Car Racing.” In total, they developed 150 test apps.

The remarkable aspect of their journey was their ability to produce innovative apps that catered to a global audience. Their apps were downloaded and enjoyed in over 50 countries, leaving a lasting impact.

A Global Pursuit of Knowledge

After their incredible accomplishments in India, the Kumaran brothers set their sights on acquiring higher education in the United States. Both Shravan and Sanjay pursued computer science degrees at Texas A&M University.

Today, their LinkedIn profiles reflect their careers as tech professionals. Shravan works as a Software Developer for Salesforce in San Francisco, while Sanjay is a Software Engineer Intern with Microsoft.

A Bright Future Ahead

Shravan Kumaran, at the age of 14, and his younger brother Sanjay, at 12, were identified as the youngest Mobile Application Programmers in India, an achievement that set them on a path of unparalleled success.

The brothers went on to co-found GoDimensions, a company that was their first step into the entrepreneurial world. As Co-Founder and President and Co-Founder & CEO, respectively, they embarked on an incredible journey that has not only set records but inspired countless young minds.

Their success was not limited to app development; it extended to their ability to balance academics, research, and business development while actively participating in lectures and presentations on academic and industry platforms.

Their accomplishments have led them to speak at prestigious events like IIM-Bangalore, TedX, CII conferences, and SAP Tech University in Bangalore.

As they chart their future path, Shravan and Sanjay remain committed to excelling academically while continuing to develop innovative apps and grow their business.

Their determination is an inspiring example of how young talents can make a significant impact on the world. As they put it, “Excelling academically is of prime importance as we aspire to get into the country’s best professional colleges.”

With their focus and dedication, the Kumaran brothers are poised to achieve great heights in both the academic and entrepreneurial worlds, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

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Gold worth Rs 8 crore seized from staffer at Chennai airport, 2 detained

Gold worth Rs 8 crore was seized from a staffer by customs officials at the Chennai airport on Monday. Two people, the airport staffer and a transit passenger, were detained by officials in the matter.

According to the officials, acting upon intelligence, one Mohammad Barkathullah, working as customer support staff for IndiGo Airlines, was intercepted at the Chennai airport. He was searched and the gold in the form of rubbery paste was seized from him near the departure gate of the airport.

Further searches led customs officials to recover 36 pouches filled with 24 carat of gold weighing 13 kg.

The price of gold was calculated to be at Rs 8.04 crore.

The officials said that Mohammad Barkathullah had been collecting the pouches from transit passengers, flying to Colombo.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

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SRK, Mukesh Ambani sip Rs 31 ORS packs at PM's swearing-in. Internet is amused

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan attended PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on Sunday, June 10. At the event, the actor sat along with Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries. Several photos and videos of the duo, engrossed in conversation at the event, surfaced on social media. However, people particularly noticed the tetra-packs of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) that Shah Rukh and Ambani were holding in their hands.

People on the internet reacted as they noticed Shah Rukh and Ambani sipping ORS worth Rs 31 at the event. One of them wrote, "Ye log bhi ors liquid pite hain (Do these people also drink ORS?)". Another noted, "Ambani ji ORS pi rahe hai (Ambani Ji is drinking ORS)." A person joked, "Bas itna ameer hona hai ki aise ORS pee saku (I want to be just rich enough to drink this ORS)." “It’s better than all that soda drink. This is perfect for the weather. Also, he had a heat stroke recently it’s better to take precautions,” a Reddit user added.

Shah Rukh Khan recently suffered a heat stroke during IPL 2024 and was admitted to an Ahmedabad hospital.

While internet users commented on Ambani and SRK drinking the 'humble drink', one of them dug out an old post of Shah Rukh where he advised one of his fans to stay hydrated during summer.

During an 'Ask SRK' session on X, Shah Rukh replied to a fan who wrote, “@iamsrk the weather is very hot in this summer season… And you’re making it hotter #AskSRK." The actor responded, “Have some Nimbu Paani please. Dehydrate nahi hona (Don't get dehydrated)."

At PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony, Shah Rukh looked dapper in an all-black outfit as he arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The business mogul Mukesh Ambani was dressed simply in an all-white outfit. The event also saw Rajinikanth, Kangana Ranaut, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Vikrant Massey, and renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani in attendance.

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Actor Noor Malabika Das, Who Starred In 'The Trial', Found Dead In Mumbai Flat

Actor Noor Malabika Das, who has worked in several webshows, was found dead in her Mumbai flat with the cops suspecting she died by suicide. Das, a former air hostess with Qatar Airways, was from Assam and lived in Mumbai's Lokhandwala. She was the co-star of Kajol in the 2023 legal drama 'The Trial'.

Her body was recovered from her flat on Thursday after her neighbours noticed a foul smell and informed the cops, sources said.

The cops broke open the door and found the 37-year-old actor's body in a decomposed state. They have collected samples, including medicines and mobile phones, from her home as part of the probe. But no suicide note was recovered from her flat, an official said, adding that an accidental death report (ADR) has been filed. An autopsy has also been conducted.

Malabika's elderly parents had visited her and recently returned to Assam. Since they couldn't travel to Mumbai again, her friend and actor Aloknath Pathak cremated her body with the help of an NGO.

All Indian Cine Workers Association has called on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to conduct a thorough probe into the alleged suicide.

It is imperative for the government to probe the underlying causes behind these recurring tragedies in the Indian film industry, it said.

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In Squabble Over Minister Berths, Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde's Waiting Game

Running a coalition government is no easy feat, as evidenced by Monday morning's discord between the BJP and its Maharashtra allies. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's NCP group found themselves at odds, shedding light on the challenges within the alliance.

A remarkable 71 MPs, primarily from the BJP and a few allied parties, were sworn in following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unprecedented third oath-taking ceremony. However, Maharashtra's representation was modest, with only five MPs, a stark contrast to the BJP-led NDA's lackluster performance in the state, securing just 17 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats.

Within this small contingent, four MPs hail from the BJP, while the fifth, Prataprao Jadhav from the Shinde Sena, assumed a junior ministerial position. Notably, a similar offer extended to Praful Patel of the NCP was declined, citing it as a "demotion."

The NCP insists that Patel's prior experience as a cabinet minister warrants a higher-ranking post. Ajit Pawar affirmed his party's readiness to wait for a cabinet berth, highlighting their ongoing negotiations with the BJP.

Despite these tensions, both the NCP and the Shinde Sena affirm their support for the BJP, understanding the fragile nature of the coalition government. Devendra Fadnavis, senior BJP leader, hinted at considering an upgraded post for the NCP in the future cabinet expansion.

Amidst these deliberations, the Shinde Sena, initially demanding three ministerial positions, eventually settled for one. However, they anticipate their "share" in the upcoming cabinet expansion.

Navigating these intricate power dynamics poses a challenge for the BJP, especially considering the existing demands from both the NCP and the Shinde Sena. With the union cabinet nearing its maximum capacity, accommodating these requests presents a logistical hurdle for Prime Minister Modi.

While the BJP has secured two cabinet berths and two junior positions for its Maharashtra MPs, the unequal distribution of seats among coalition partners complicates the equation. With the Lok Sabha majority secured primarily through NDA allies, the BJP must carefully balance their interests to maintain stability in the government.

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Swati Maliwal Case: New Charge Added Against Bibhav Kumar

The Delhi Police has added the IPC section for "disappearing evidence and giving false information" against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in AAP MP Swati Maliwal's assault case, an official said on Monday.

Kumar is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the chief minister's official residence on May 13.

The official said Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was added in the case.

Section 201 carries a provision for imprisonment of one-sixth of the punishment awarded for the biggest offence in the crime, he added.

The FIR against Kumar was registered on May 16 under provisions of the IPC such as those related to criminal intimidation, assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Maliwal, a former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, alleged that Kumar attacked her with full force, slapped and kicked her when she had gone to meet Kejriwal.

According to a senior police officer, Kumar's mobile phone was found to have been formatted when he was arrested from Kejriwal's residence on May 18.

He was in Mumbai before returning to Delhi.

The police took Kumar to Mumbai twice. He is suspected to have formatted his mobile phone in Mumbai but did not disclose the place where he formatted it or the person with whom he shared the data, the officer said.

During his police custody, Kumar did not cooperate in the investigation, he added.

Another police officer said three CCTV DVRs (digital video recorders) were collected from Kejriwal's residence -- two from cameras installed at the entrance and one outside the drawing room.

The DVRs were sent to the forensic science laboratory as it was suspected that these were tampered with. The reports were awaited, he said.

Kumar was arrested on May 18 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail.