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Microsoft Founder Bill Gates Lauds India’s Namo Drone Didi Program In a strong endorsement of India’s evolving rural development model, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has praised the Namo Drone Didi initiative, launched in 2023 by the Government of India. The program empowers rural women by training them to operate drones for agricultural purposes, thereby boosting productivity, reducing manual labor, and enhancing socio-economic inclusion. Gates shared a detailed video and blog highlighting his interaction with three "Drone Didis" from Bihar— Sangita Devi , Sumintra Devi , and Kajol Kumari —during his visit to Delhi last month. He applauded the initiative's early success and expressed optimism about its future scalability. What is the Namo Drone Didi Program? Launched under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Namo Drone Didi scheme is part of a broader strategy to promote women-led development and precision agriculture . It aims to provide 15,000 dro...

Supreme Court Calls for Clarity on Menstrual Hygiene Policy Implementation in Schools The Supreme Court has voiced concerns regarding the ground realities of menstrual hygiene in Indian schools , urging the Centre to address discrepancies and inefficiencies before implementing a comprehensive policy. The plea highlights the dire need for menstrual hygiene management (MHM)  for girls aged 11 to 18, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds.   Judicial Directive: Address Ground Realities A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Pankaj Mithal directed Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati to clarify issues raised by the petitioner and provide a response by December 3. The Court emphasized the importance of a data-driven approach , urging the government to assess the ground situation accurately.   Policy Overview and Gaps    The Union Government has formulated the National Policy on Menstrual Hygiene for School-Going Girls , which outlin...

Supreme Court Expresses Concern Over CBI’s Disturbing Findings in Kolkata Doctor’s Rape and Murder Case In a recent hearing, the Supreme Court of India voiced its deep concern regarding the disturbing findings presented by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital , a state-run facility in Kolkata, West Bengal . The case, which the Supreme Court took up suo motu , has brought attention to severe discrepancies in the investigation, particularly in the handling of evidence and the overall probe process. CBI’s Findings Raise Alarm in the Court A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud , along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra , expressed their dismay after reviewing the status report submitted by the CBI. The court stated that the findings in the report are "really disturbing," and echoed concerns raised by a lawyer regarding inconsistencies, such ...

Controversy Over Saudi Arabia's Chairmanship of UN Women's Rights Forum Introduction Saudi Arabia's recent appointment as chair of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from women's rights advocates. Despite being unanimously elected, concerns have been raised due to Saudi Arabia's track record on women's rights. Criticism from Human Rights Advocates Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both voiced reservations about Saudi Arabia's appointment, citing the kingdom's treatment of women and its systematic discrimination against them. The decision has been viewed as contradictory to the CSW's mandate to promote women's rights and gender equality. Call for Action from Advocacy Groups Sherine Tadros, Deputy Director for Advocacy at Amnesty International, underscored the gap between Saudi Arabia's record and the commission's objectives. Tadros emphasized that Saudi Ara...