Category: Human Interest

Human Interest

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Files Complaint Against Ranveer Singh Over Alleged Mockery of Sacred Daiva at IFFI 2025

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A fresh controversy has erupted at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) after the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) filed an official complaint against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh. The organisation has accused the actor of insulting religious sentiments during IFFI’s closing ceremony in Goa.

According to the complaint, Ranveer Singh allegedly mimicked the divine form portrayed in the film Kantara – Chapter 1 and further referred to Chamundi Daiva, a revered Kotitulu deity, as a “female ghost.” These remarks, HJS claims, were disrespectful and amounted to derogatory comments against a sacred cultural tradition.

The HJS stated that the Daiva tradition, particularly in coastal Karnataka, is deeply rooted in spirituality, family lineage, and centuries-old rituals. Any misrepresentation, they argue, can hurt the sentiments of devotees and distort the understanding of indigenous cultural practices.

The complaint seeks:

  • A police inquiry into the actor’s statements
  • Appropriate legal action for hurting religious sentiments
  • A public apology from Ranveer Singh

The organisation also expressed concern that influential public figures must remain sensitive while representing cultural or religious symbols on prominent platforms such as IFFI.

Police have acknowledged receipt of the complaint, and further inquiry is awaited.

This controversy comes at a time when Kantara’s cultural impact has remained strong, especially among communities who consider Daiva worship a sacred responsibility rather than a performative art.

Further updates are expected as the matter progresses.

Human Interest

New Labour Laws Every Indian Employee Must Know in 2026

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The Government of India has officially replaced 29 ageing labour laws with four streamlined Labour Codes, bringing some of the biggest reforms ever made to the Indian workforce. These changes affect every professional — salaried employees, contractors, gig workers, and even fixed-term staff.

Here is a clear, practical breakdown of the major reforms that will shape working life across the country:

1️⃣ 48-Hour Weekly Work Limit

The new Labour Codes cap the maximum weekly work limit at 48 hours.
No organisation can compel employees to exceed this limit.

If you work extra hours:
👉 Every additional hour must be paid at double the wage rate.
This move directly tackles overtime exploitation and ensures fair compensation.

2️⃣ Gratuity Eligibility After Just 1 Year

Previously, employees were eligible for gratuity only after completing five years in a company. Now:
👉 Even contract workers and fixed-term employees qualify after one year.

This change significantly strengthens financial security for lakhs of short-term and project-based workers.

3️⃣ Basic Salary Must Be at Least 50% of CTC

Companies can no longer inflate allowances to reduce long-term benefits.
The new rule states:
👉 Basic Salary must be 50% or more of the total CTC.

This ensures:

  • Higher PF contributions
  • Higher gratuity
  • Stronger retirement savings
  • No manipulation of salary structures

Employees now receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.

4️⃣ Equal Pay for Women

The Labour Codes make gender-pay discrimination illegal.
👉 Women must receive equal pay for equal work.

Additionally:
👉 Contract workers must also receive key benefits similar to full-time staff — health insurance, regulated work hours, paid overtime, and mandatory annual medical checkups.

5️⃣ Minimum Wages for All Industries

Minimum wage protection is now universal.
👉 Every industry — organised or unorganised — must pay at least the legally mandated minimum wage.

This eliminates arbitrary salary practices and gives all workers a fair starting standard.

6️⃣ Salary Must Be Credited by the 7th of Every Month

Delayed salaries have been a widespread concern.
Under the new rules:
👉 Salaries must be credited by the 7th, or companies face strict penalties.

This strengthens financial consistency for workers nationwide.

India’s new Labour Codes aim to bring transparency, fairness, and accountability to workplaces, ensuring employees have stronger legal protection and better long-term benefits. As these reforms roll out nationwide, every working professional must stay informed and aware of their rights.

Human Interest

Goa Departments Directed to Upload 2026 Vacancy Details via GSSC Portal by January 31

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Panaji, Goa: The Government of Goa has issued a directive instructing all departments to upload clear and verified vacancy details for the year 2026 through the Goa State Selection Commission (GSSC)’s dedicated online system. The window for submissions will remain open from January 1 to January 31, providing departments a one-month period to update and confirm their respective staffing requirements.

The mandate emphasizes that only fully confirmed vacancies should be submitted during this period. Departments have been cautioned that vacancies reserved under the compassionate appointment category will not be accepted through this process, ensuring that the GSSC receives only those posts that are open for general recruitment.

The initiative aims to streamline recruitment processes, enhance transparency, and facilitate efficient workforce planning for the upcoming year. By centralizing vacancy submissions through a standardized digital platform, the Goa State Selection Commission seeks to avoid discrepancies, reduce delays, and support timely recruitment drives across various government sectors.

Officials have highlighted the importance of accuracy, urging departments to thoroughly verify their staffing status before uploading details. This measure is expected to contribute to smoother recruitment cycles and improved administrative coordination throughout 2026.

Human Interest

Governor of Goa Visits Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji

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Governor of Goa Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, along with First Lady Smt. Suneela Raju, visited the iconic Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji, invoking blessings and taking a moment of quiet reflection at one of Goa’s most renowned heritage sites.

The Governor and First Lady were warmly welcomed by church representatives as they arrived at the centuries-old structure, admired for its pristine white façade, symmetrical stairways, and deep historical significance. The visit highlighted the church’s spiritual and cultural importance, not only to Panaji but to Goa’s broader religious heritage.

During their time at the church, the dignitaries offered prayers and spent moments in contemplation inside the revered sanctuary. Their visit comes at a time when Goa continues to celebrate its rich religious tradition, architectural legacy, and communal harmony.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, originally built in 1541 and rebuilt in 1600, stands as one of the oldest and most photographed churches in Goa. The visit by the Governor and First Lady reinforces the church’s enduring role as a spiritual landmark and symbol of Goa’s cultural identity.

Human Interest

Mumbai Terror Attack | Remembering the Heroes of 26/11

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November 26 marks the anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai Terror Attack, a night etched permanently in the nation’s memory. A coordinated series of attacks carried out across multiple prominent locations in the city claimed innocent lives and challenged India’s security forces in an unprecedented manner.

On this day, India pauses to honour the fortitude, courage, and sacrifice of the heroes who rose above fear to protect others — from Mumbai Police personnel and NSG commandos to hotel staff, railway employees, frontline responders, and countless civilians who showed remarkable grit in the face of terror.

Heroes like ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte, Encounter Specialist Vijay Salaskar, and NSG Commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, among many others, laid down their lives while confronting terrorists head-on. Their bravery saved hundreds and continues to inspire a new generation of Indians committed to service and resilience.

Even today, the stories of the Taj Hotel staff protecting guests, railway workers helping evacuate CST Railway Station, and civilians who risked their lives to pull strangers to safety stand as reminders of humanity’s courage during crisis.

As the nation reflects on 26/11, Mumbai continues to embody the spirit of resilience — a city that grieves, remembers, and rises.