Category: National

National

Nitin Nabin Becomes BJP’s Youngest National President at 45

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New Delhi | : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday appointed Nitin Nabin, a 45-year-old five-time MLA from Bihar, as its new national president, making him the youngest leader to hold the post in the party’s history.

Nabin was unanimously elected during the BJP’s organisational conclave, ‘Sangan Parv’, held in New Delhi. His appointment received the backing of the party’s top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and outgoing president J.P. Nadda.

The ceremony marked a generational shift within the BJP, with senior leaders describing the move as a step towards energising the party ahead of upcoming state elections. In his address, Nitin Nabin reflected on his political journey, crediting his rise to grassroots work, discipline, and organisational commitment, rather than family lineage.

“I began as a youth worker and have grown through responsibility and merit. This role is a collective trust placed in me,” Nabin said, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening the party across states.

He also pledged to work towards the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, focusing on organisational expansion, youth engagement, and effective governance messaging. Party leaders highlighted his experience in Bihar politics and his connect with younger cadres as key strengths.

Meanwhile, J.P. Nadda, who served as BJP national president since 2020, will now return full-time to his responsibilities as Union Health Minister.

Nitin Nabin’s elevation comes at a crucial time as the BJP prepares for major state and national political milestones, positioning the party for continuity with renewed leadership.

National

C-DOT Wins SKOCH Award 2025 for Life-Saving Cell Broadcast Solution

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The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has received the prestigious SKOCH Award 2025 at the 104th SKOCH Summit, recognising its impactful Cell Broadcast Solution — a technology designed to strengthen India’s disaster preparedness and emergency response systems.

The Cell Broadcast Solution is a robust disaster and emergency alerting platform that enables the delivery of life-saving information directly to mobile phones in geo-targeted areas through cellular networks. Unlike conventional messaging systems, the platform allows authorities to instantly reach millions of users without network congestion, ensuring timely alerts during natural disasters, public safety threats, and emergency situations.

By enabling real-time dissemination of critical instructions and warnings, the solution plays a vital role in minimising loss to property and saving lives. Its scalable and reliable architecture makes it a key component of India’s growing digital public safety infrastructure.

The recognition at the SKOCH Awards highlights C-DOT’s contribution to indigenous telecom innovation and its commitment to leveraging technology for social good. The award further reinforces India’s focus on using advanced digital solutions to enhance national resilience and disaster management capabilities.

National

New Laws to Expand Maternity Benefits, Paid Leave for Fathers

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral National Desk

The government has approved sweeping legislative changes aimed at strengthening parental rights and workplace protections, Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste announced. The Cabinet has cleared amendments to the Maternity Protection Act and the Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act, marking a significant shift in labour policy to reflect evolving family structures and caregiving responsibilities.

According to the minister, the amendments will broaden paid leave entitlements beyond mothers to include fathers and adoptive parents, promoting shared parenting and greater gender balance in caregiving roles. This expansion is seen as a major step towards more inclusive and family-friendly workplace policies.

The reforms also remove several long-standing restrictions on maternity benefits that have been criticised by workers’ unions and labour rights advocates for years. These changes aim to ensure that women are better protected during pregnancy and after childbirth, without facing unnecessary employment barriers.

Once enacted, the revised laws are expected to enhance job security, improve work-life balance, and provide stronger protections for parents during and after childbirth or adoption. The government says the measures reaffirm its commitment to progressive labour reforms that support families, promote equality in the workplace, and adapt employment laws to contemporary social realities.

National

Blinkit, Zepto Scrap 10-Minute Delivery Amid Concerns Over Gig Worker Stress

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Quick commerce companies such as Blinkit and Zepto have voluntarily scrapped their 10-minute delivery promises after concerns were raised by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya regarding the growing pressure and stressful working conditions faced by gig workers.

According to reports, the move followed a meeting between government representatives and leading delivery platforms, including Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy, where delivery timelines and worker welfare were discussed in detail. The discussions focused on the impact of ultra-fast delivery expectations on rider safety, mental stress, and overall work conditions.

The 10-minute delivery model, while popular among consumers, has long drawn criticism for pushing delivery partners to meet unrealistic timelines, often at the cost of safety and well-being. Labour authorities expressed concerns that such aggressive delivery targets could encourage risky behaviour on roads and increase physical and psychological strain on gig workers.

Following the deliberations, quick commerce firms reportedly agreed to reassess delivery commitments, opting for more flexible timelines that balance customer convenience with worker welfare. The decision marks a significant shift in how the gig economy platforms approach operational efficiency and social responsibility.

The development highlights the government’s growing engagement with the gig economy sector and reflects an effort to create a more sustainable ecosystem for delivery partners, who form the backbone of India’s rapidly expanding quick commerce industry