‘Neelakurinji’ flowers bloom in Nilgiris after 12 years, India makes history with double gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad, Central Government increases minimum wage effective October 1, three supercomputers launched under the National Supercomputing Mission, and more. Catch up on this week’s top stories in our India news roundup.
‘Neelakurinji’ flowers bloom in Nilgiris after 12 years
The Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu are currently witnessing the rare and stunning bloom of Neelakurinji flowers, which occurs only once every 12 years. This natural phenomenon has attracted nature enthusiasts and tourists eager to experience the vibrant blue hues transforming the landscape. IAS Officer Supriya Sahu recently shared striking images of the Neelakurinji on X, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of this fleeting event that captivates visitors from around the world.
Central Govt increases minimum wage effective Oct 1
In a key decision to support workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector, the central government has announced a hike in minimum wage rates. This increase comes through a revision of the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), aimed at helping workers manage the rising cost of living.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment stated that workers across sectors such as construction, mining, agriculture, housekeeping, and other central sphere establishments will benefit from the revised wages. The new rates will come into effect starting October 1, 2024.
India makes history with Double old at 45th Chess Olympiad
India made history on the 22nd of September as both its men’s and women’s chess teams secured their first-ever gold medals at the 45th International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
In a thrilling final round, the men’s team triumphed over Slovenia, with standout victories from D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa. Meanwhile, the women’s team dominated Azerbaijan, winning 3.5-0.5 to claim the championship title.
India unveils supercomputers under National Supercomputing Mission
On Thursday, India launched three home-grown advanced supercomputers named Param Rudra as part of the National Supercomputing Mission. Developed in the country and at a cost of Rs 130 crore, these cutting-edge systems will be deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata.
Param Rudra is expected to boost scientific research in various fields, including healthcare, space exploration, and other scientific disciplines, marking a significant step forward for India’s technological infrastructure.
Education Ministry to roll out APAAR ID for students in phased stages
The Ministry of Education has launched the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR ID), a 12-digit unique identification system for students in India. This initiative aligns with the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ program under the National Education Policy of 2020.
The APAAR ID will serve as a permanent digital identity, linked to the Academic Bank of Credits and DigiLocker, facilitating streamlined tracking of academic records. The rollout will occur in three phases, starting with students in grades 9 to 12.
Airtel launches country’s 1st AI-Powered spam detection system
On the 25th of September, Bharti Airtel introduced India’s first AI-powered spam detection system, designed to combat the prevalent issue of spam calls and messages that affect mobile users nationwide.
This innovative service will be available at no cost to Airtel customers and automatically activated without needing any service requests or app downloads.
