Historical Insight: India’s First Mini Budget
With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present the Union Budget on February 1, 2025, marking her eighth consecutive budget, it’s a good time to reflect on India’s first Mini Budget. This was presented on November 30, 1956, by T.T. Krishnamachari, aiming to tackle rising inflation and falling forex reserves. The special budget introduced new taxation proposals and marked a significant moment in India’s financial history. This reflection highlights the evolution of India’s budgetary practices and the ongoing economic challenges faced by the nation.
M. Mohan Appointed Director of ISRO’s LPSC
M. Mohan was appointed as the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as Director (Projects) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Director of the Human Space Flight Centre from June 2023 to June 2024. His notable contributions include leading the Moon Impact Probe project for the Chandrayaan-1 mission and directing successful GSLV missions. Mohan succeeds V. Narayanan in this prestigious role, continuing ISRO’s legacy of innovation and excellence.
Jasprit Bumrah Wins ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2024
Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar performance in 2024 earned him the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. With 71 wickets in 13 matches, Bumrah dominated Test cricket, becoming the leading wicket-taker of the year. His notable achievements include a Player of the Series award in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and crucial contributions to India’s victories over England, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Australia. Recognized as one of the greatest Test bowlers of modern times, Bumrah’s accomplishments have cemented his place in cricket history.
Smriti Mandhana Wins ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024
Smriti Mandhana’s exceptional performance in 2024 earned her the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award. With 747 runs in 13 innings, including four centuries, she became the year’s leading run-scorer. Her graceful left-handed batting style and consistent high scores against teams like South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia were instrumental in securing this accolade. This recognition marks her as a dominant force in women’s cricket and celebrates her remarkable achievements on the international stage.
Uttarakhand Rolls Out Uniform Civil Code
Uttarakhand made history by becoming the first state in independent India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Spearheaded by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the UCC aims to standardize personal laws relating to marriage, inheritance, and succession for all residents except Scheduled Tribes and protected communities. This significant move seeks to ensure equal rights and eliminate discrimination, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a harmonious and self-reliant India.
ISRO’s 100th Launch: GSLV-F15 Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will celebrate a significant milestone with its 100th launch. The GSLV-F15 mission is set to deploy the NVS-02 satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission will place the satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, enhancing India’s regional navigation capabilities through the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. The NVS-02 satellite features advanced navigation payloads and atomic clocks for precise positioning.