3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 19th of March and here are the headlines. The Opposition raised concerns about the Gaganyaan astronauts being kept away from public view. Minister Jitendra Singh stated this was to prevent distractions during their acclimatisation and training. He added that excessive media exposure could be counterproductive. One astronaut, Group Captain Shukla, will also join international astronauts on a mission to the ISS.Prime Minister Modi welcomed back NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams after their nine-month space mission. He lauded their grit and courage, calling their return a testament to the human spirit. PM Modi expressed pride in their perseverance and the dedication of those who ensured their safe return to Earth.An FIR details how a man accused in the Nagpur violence allegedly misbehaved and inappropriately touched a woman police officer. The accused also reportedly made obscene gestures towards other women, including police personnel. The incident occurred on March 17 and continued until late that night. The FIR was filed by a Sub-Inspector on March 18.A woman and her lover were arrested in Meerut for allegedly murdering her husband. They dismembered his body and dumped parts in a cement-filled tank. Police said the couple killed the man on March 4 and used the cement to conceal the smell. The wife had purchased the tank, and the lover brought the cement.The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards 2023 will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu. The awards recognize outstanding journalism across print, digital, and broadcast media in 13 categories. Winning stories include investigations into medical colleges, athlete villages, and the fight for justice by wrestlers, showcasing courageous reporting.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

Anona Dutt, a reporter for The Indian Express, dives into the controversial visa revocation of Ranjini Srinivasan, an Indian PhD scholar, amidst escalating tensions surrounding campus protests. Dutt elaborates on the implications for academic freedom and the fear many scholars face. The discussion shifts to groundbreaking results from India's CAR T-cell therapy clinical trials, highlighting its promise in cancer treatment. Lastly, the podcast touches on the escalating violence in Gaza, providing a poignant backdrop to the ongoing crisis.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 18th of March and here are the headlines.Tulsi Gabbard, Director of US National Intelligence, emphasized strengthening security ties with India at the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi. She highlighted collaboration in cybersecurity, emerging tech, and AI. Gabbard acknowledged India’s security concerns and reaffirmed that “America first is not America alone.” She stressed the importance of continuing a long-standing partnership, taking advantage of the new administration’s momentum to explore further opportunities for collaboration.Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis described the violence in Nagpur on Monday as a “planned incident.” It followed a protest by VHP and Bajrang Dal members demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. Police were attacked, vehicles set on fire, and tear gas was used to disperse crowds. The violence spread across several areas of Nagpur, leaving several injured.Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, calling it a milestone for an awakened nation. Speaking in Lok Sabha, he linked the event’s success to the spirit of the nation, reflecting the progress towards the next 1,000 years. Modi also noted how the Ram Mandir ceremony last year foreshadowed the national collective consciousness, reinforcing the country's strength and unity.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the 'Make in India' initiative in the Rajya Sabha, stating it had gained significant momentum, contrary to Opposition claims. She highlighted the success of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which attracted Rs 1.5 lakh crore in investments and generated 9.5 lakh jobs, countering criticisms of the government’s manufacturing policies.Israel launched major airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, as reported by hospital officials. The airstrikes targeted Hamas positions, escalating tensions as ceasefire talks stalled. Israel's military vowed to continue its offensive against Hamas, accusing the group of rejecting multiple ceasefire proposals. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel would intensify its military response.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

Aditi Raja, a dedicated reporter from The Indian Express, outlines the shocking details of a recent tragic accident in Vadodara, caused by reckless driving, that led to one fatality and several injuries. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, a Senior Consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, discusses the importance of getting a flu vaccine, especially against the backdrop of a challenging flu season. The conversation also touches on political tensions in Tamil Nadu with the detention of BJP leaders ahead of a protest linked to financial mismanagement at TASMAC.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 17th of March and here are the headlines.  Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai was arrested by Chennai police on Monday morning, just before leading a protest against financial irregularities at TASMAC. Annamalai, who planned the demonstration outside TASMAC’s headquarters in Egmore, was detained near his Akkarai residence while attempting to leave. Several senior BJP leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan, Vanathi Srinivasan, and Saraswathi, were also taken into custody at different locations across Chennai. The arrests came amid growing tensions over the state's liquor retailing practices.  The Congress party criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks about the irrelevance of global organizations. In a podcast with Lex Fridman, Modi claimed organizations like the UN had become "almost irrelevant" due to the lack of reforms, adding that India had benefitted from them. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh responded, accusing Modi of trying to appease US President Donald Trump and repeating his friend’s views, questioning the Prime Minister's stance on international cooperation. Intelligence leaders from the US, UK, New Zealand, and other nations met in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss security cooperation. The conference, hosted by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, included Tulsi Gabbard (US), Jonathan Powell (UK), and Andrew Hampton (New Zealand), along with top intelligence officials from various countries. The meeting, organized by the National Security Council Secretariat, is part of the Raisina Dialogue, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, with New Zealand's PM Christopher Luxon as the chief guest. Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked social media influencer Orhan Awatramani (Orry) and seven others for allegedly drinking alcohol in Katra town, near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. An FIR was filed under section 223 for disobedience of public orders, as Katra has a ban on liquor and non-vegetarian products due to its religious significance. The local administration enforces this ban to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrimage site and prevent disturbances. The Trump administration deported alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, despite a court order blocking the action. The operation continued after Judge James Boasberg ruled against using the wartime Alien Enemies Act to expel the gang members. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that a single judge couldn’t halt the expulsion of individuals deemed a national security threat, asserting that deportation was a matter of executive authority despite legal challenges.   This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

In this engaging discussion, Vidhathri Rao, a tech reporter at The Indian Express, shares insights into India's ambitious plans for AI, including the creation of a Telugu Large Language Model, highlighting the importance of linguistic diversity in tech. Sanath Prasad, an expert on the Kannada film industry, analyzes the implications of the Karnataka government's cap on movie ticket prices at Rs 200, detailing the conflicting reactions from filmmakers and multiplexes. The podcast also touches on the successful return of NASA astronauts after their SpaceX mission.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha SharmaToday is the 14th of March and here are the headlines.In a major development this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navin Chandra Ramgoolam announced an "enhanced strategic partnership" between the two nations. India also pledged new projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees (around Rs 100 crore), including building Mauritius' new Parliament. Both nations agreed to conduct mutual trade in local currencies. Modi also outlined a vision for the Global South under the MAHASAGAR initiative, which focuses on mutual growth and security across regions, strengthening India-Mauritius ties in both trade and diplomacy.In news from the Parliament , Opposition parties, including Congress and DMK, staged a protest in the Lok Sabha against a renewable energy project near the India-Pakistan border. Congress leader Manish Tewari raised concerns about national and energy security, arguing the project’s proximity to the border violates security protocols. According to Tewari, major infrastructure should be at least 10 km away from the border. Meanwhile, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 was introduced, aimed at modernizing India's immigration laws. Opposition parties called it unconstitutional and demanded its referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.In global headlines, separatist militants attacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, carrying 500 people. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for derailing the train, asserting that they had seized control, killed 50 security personnel, and taken 214 passengers as hostages, including active-duty personnel. However, their claims have not been independently verified. Meanwhile, Pakistani army confirmed the end of the rescue operation, stating that 33 militants and 21 hostages were killed, while over 300 passengers were rescued. Ukraine has proposed a 30-day ceasefire in its war with Russia, contingent on Moscow’s agreement. The announcement came after high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, where the United States declared it would lift its freeze on military aid to Ukraine. This marks a significant shift in efforts to pause the devastating conflict, which began in 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to a joint statement from the White House and Kyiv, the temporary ceasefire could be extended if both sides agree to further terms.Delhi remains the world’s most polluted capital for the sixth consecutive year, with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m3, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report. The report reveals that 13 of the 20 most polluted cities globally are in India, including Byrnihat and Faridabad. India ranks as the fifth most polluted country, with a concerning average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 50.6 μg/m3. This is ten times higher than the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 guideline, highlighting India's ongoing air quality crisis.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to veteran journalist and Contributing Editor for The Indian Express Neerja Chowdhury about BJP's plans in the South and what challenges lie ahead of them.Next, The Indian Express' Jayprakash S Naidu gives us details of the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the investigation and the reasons behind searches being conducted at former CM Bhupesh Baghel's residence. (15:59)Lastly, we speak about heightened security and mosques being covered in UP on the occasion of Holi. (22:04)Produced and hosted by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 13th of March and here are the headlines.Tamil Nadu Replaces Devanagari Rupee Symbol with Tamil Letter in Budget LogoAhead of its budget presentation on March 14, the Tamil Nadu government has replaced the Devanagari rupee symbol with the Tamil rupee letter in its official logo. The logo, featuring the slogan "Ellorkkum Ellaam" (Everything for Everyone), was unveiled by Chief Minister M K Stalin’s office on Thursday. A source from the Chief Minister’s Office explained that this change prioritizes Tamil over Devanagari. DMK spokesperson Savaranan Annadurai affirmed the decision, emphasizing the importance of promoting Tamil, especially amid ongoing tensions over the Centre's three-language policy.Karnataka Withdraws CID Inquiry on Bengaluru Airport Protocol MishandlingThe Karnataka government has retracted its order for a CID inquiry into alleged police protocol mishandling at Bengaluru airport involving actress Ranya Rao. Rao, arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold, had her travel monitored by protocol officers. The withdrawal followed a parallel order from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), which tasked senior IAS officer Gaurav Gupta with investigating misuse of protocol services by senior DGP-rank officer K Ramachandra Rao, who is also Rao’s stepfather. The investigation had raised significant political and procedural concerns.SBI Chairman: India Needs 8% Growth for Progress Despite SlowdownChalla Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), emphasized that India must target an 8% growth rate for sustainable progress. While the current growth rate of around 6% is a concern, Setty argued that it may be a temporary slowdown and not a reason for alarm. In an interview with The Indian Express, Setty explained that the country's long-term growth story remains intact, highlighting the importance of consumption and private capital expenditure to fuel future economic growth, even amid recent challenges.Sunita Williams’ Return to Earth Delayed by SpaceX Launch ScrubNASA astronaut Sunita Williams' long-awaited return to Earth has been delayed after SpaceX scrubbed the launch of a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS). Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have been stuck in space for nine months aboard Boeing’s faulty Starliner. NASA had planned a SpaceX rocket launch from Florida to bring a new crew, which would have allowed Williams and Wilmore to return. However, the launch was delayed due to a hydraulic system issue with the Falcon 9 rocket’s ground support clamp arm, NASA confirmed.US Officials to Visit Moscow for Ceasefire Talks Amid Escalating Ukraine ConflictSenior US officials are set to visit Moscow for ceasefire negotiations as Russia ramps up its military activities in Ukraine’s Kursk region. The visit follows a meeting in Saudi Arabia where Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, shifting pressure onto Russia. US President Donald Trump confirmed the upcoming visit, noting that a "positive message means nothing" without Russia's action. While the White House hasn’t confirmed which officials will attend, National Security Secretary Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are reportedly part of the delegation heading to Moscow.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy who discusses the ties between the US-India and the upcoming bilateral trade agreement in the works.Next, The Indian Express Parul Kulshrestha talks about Rajasthan's tribal tradition that is posing an unusual challenge for the centre's housing scheme. (08:40)Lastly, we speak to The Indian Express' Maulshree Seth about the dismantling of the temporary city of Maha Kumbh mela and its restoration. (18:28)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar