Local Round-up: Cyclone Fengal, Kumbh Mela Declared as an Entire District, Next CM of Maharashtra?

Local Round-up brings to you what's happening across the country in travel, food, infrastructure, sports, and herein, we have curated the updates from the weekend and the initial of this week for you. So, read these below. 

PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen shine at the 2024 Syed Modi International

Badminton champions PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen inch their name in the Syed Modi International badminton tournament as they win individual single titles. PV Sindhu lifted the title of this prestigious tournament for the third time beating China's Wu Luo Yu in 21-14, 21-16 sets. While this was Sindhu's third title, Lakshya Sen clinched his first title. He defeated Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh with 21-6, 21-7 set. 

Rajasthan to set up new IT city

Rajasthan is planning to establish a big IT city just a few kilometres away from Gurugram. State’s Industry and IT Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the state's commitment to developing its infrastructure and industrial capabilities marks this as a major milestone for the region's economic growth. Under this project, the government will collaborate with the Tata Group to enhance the state’s workforce readiness. The partnership will focus on upgrading 100 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) within Rajasthan.

Female representatives in science surpass men in India

The number of women taking up science has exceeded men in India. At the undergraduate and PhD levels, their enrollment numbers slightly exceed that of men whereas in PG and MPhil programmes, women significantly outnumber men according to a report by All India Survey of Higher Education in Times of India.

GST collections record the fourth highest mark with over 8% at Rs. 1.82 lakh crore in November

Driven by festive demand, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections for the Union and state governments climbed to Rs. 1.82 lakh crore in November, marking an 8.5% year-on-year growth, according to official data released on Sunday. The Central GST collection stood at Rs. 34,141 crores, State GST at Rs. 43,047 crores, Integrated IGST at Rs. 91,828 crores, and cess at Rs. 13,253 crores.

Indian Kids scripts history at the World Cadet Under-8 Chess Championship

Indian kids made their name at the World Cadet Under-8 Chess Championship as they clinched two out of three titles in the category. With an exciting final round that included outstanding talent from all across the world, the 2024 edition came to an end on a good note for India. By taking home the Under-8 Open World Championship, Divith Reddy from Telangana further solidified India's growing stature in the world of chess and made the country proud. He was accompanied by another Indian star, Sattwik Swain from Odisha, who placed second in the Under-8 Open division.

Cyclone Fengal affects Puducherry and parts of Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru

Special Update - Deep Depression

DD have moved E/NE as expected. It is expected to move in WNW towards #TamilNadu after taking N for next 12-24 hrs.

As if now deep convection forming but getting sheered shows how strong the sheer affecting it.#ChennaiRains #CycloneFengal #NEM pic.twitter.com/eHb2IaisCk

— Jaswanth Weatherman (@JW_Chennai) November 28, 2024

On November 30, cyclone Fengal hit the southern states but weakened into a deep depression on Sunday causing flooding in several parts of Puducherry and parts of Tamil Nadu. Due to the continuing heavy rainfall, all schools and colleges were closed for today in Puducherry and parts of Tamil Nadu.  A yellow alert has been issued in a few places in Bengaluru as well, as the chances of a cyclone causing rainfall near. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges will remain closed in the Chickballapur and Kolar areas. 

Devendra Fadnavis' name finalised for Maharashtra's CM: Report

According to PTI's report, a senior BJP leader on Sunday said that Devendra Fadnavis' name has been finalised as the new chief minister of Maharashtra. The statement came hours after caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde reiterated his "unconditional support" to the decision that will be made by the party's top brass - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda.

Government of UP declares a new District ahead of Kumbh Mela 

Ahead of the largest religious gathering in the world, the Uttar Pradesh Government took a fresh move. They declared the area where the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is happening as an entirely new district. The district will be known as Maha Kumbh Mela district. It will have a dedicated administrative team to oversee preparations and maintain services during the mela. 

ISRO to launch ESA's Proba-3 satellites this week

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the European Space Agency's Proba-3 satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on 4 December. The satellites are going to be a part of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle's payload fairing. The agency is using the XL version of its workhorse PSLV rocket to launch the satellites. 

Trekking above 3,000 metres in Himachal's Kangra district temporarily banned 

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kangra district in Dharamshala Hemraj Bairwa on Wednesday announced that trekking activities above 3,000 metres in the Dhauladhar range of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district have been prohibited until further notice. The order also specifically restricts paragliding pilots from flying near the Dhauladhar range due to the risk of high snowfall in the area.