Union Cabinet approves a reservation at 10% for ‘economically backward’ upper castes in government jobs

The Union cabinet has recently approved a 10% reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for economically backward sections in the general category. The constitutional amendment bill will be tabled in Parliament on 8th January 2019, the last day of the Winter Session. The proposed reservation will be over and above the existing 50% reservation ..

Topics: Bhumihar • Forward caste • India • Indian caste system • Indian castes • Indian society • Kamma • Kapu • Maratha • Other Backward Class • Politics of India • Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

Odisha’s Kandhamal Haldi to get Geographical Indications tag

Odisha’s Kandhamal Haldi (turmeric variety), famous for its healing properties, will soon gets Geographical Indications (GI) tag. Its registration was applied by Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing (KASAM) and was accepted under sub-section (1) of Section 13 of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. A GI is a sign used ..

Topics: Geographical indication • Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act • Haldi • Indian society • Kandhamal district • Khonds • Plants • Spice • States and union territories of India • Turmeric

M Bhakthavatsala well-known Kannada film person passes away

M Bhakthavatsala (84), the well-known Kannada film producer, distributor and exhibitor, has passed away in Bengaluru, Karnataka on August 6, 2018. He was an officer in Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) and later turned to films through distribution and managing theatres. He was known for producing critically acclaimed movies like ‘Sandhyaraga’ and ‘Kanneshwara Rama’. Bhakthavatsala served ..

Topics: Bangalore • Films • HMT • India • Indian films • Indian society • Kannada people • Kanneshwara Rama

The completed draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC published by Assam government

On July 30, the second and final draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been officially published bearing the names of 2 crore 89 lakh 83 thousand 677 citizens of the state. The NRC will feature the names, addresses and photographs of all Indian citizens, who have been residing in the North-eastern state ..

Topics: Illegal immigration to India • Indian nationality law • Indian society • National Register of Citizens of India

Kerala government sets up panel to choose an official song for state

The Kerala government has constituted an expert panel comprising eminent writers and language experts to choose an official song for the state. Rani George, the Cultural Department Secretary, would be the convenor of the panel. While eminent critic M Leelavathi, poet Ezhachery Ramachandran, M M Basheer, M R Raghava Warrier and K P Mohanan would ..

Topics: Indian society • Kerala • Leelavathi • Ramachandran • States and union territories of India • Variar