Morning Brief: A 500-Year Wait Ends This Diwali, Says PM Modi; First Tejas LCA Mk1A To Be Delivered After Mid-2025; Panel Recommends Hybrid, Multi-Stage Exam Model For NTA

Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning. 

A 500-Year Wait Ends This Diwali, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that this year’s Diwali will be historic, as thousands of lamps will be lit at the Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya after a 500-year wait. He made these remarks after launching development projects worth nearly Rs 12,850 crore and expanding the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme to senior citizens aged 70 and above. “Many of us have seen many Diwalis, but this Diwali is historic,” Modi said, referring to the idol of Ram Lalla consecrated earlier this year.

The Prime Minister emphasised that this year’s celebration marks a unique moment, as it signifies Ram’s return to his birthplace after centuries. “This will be such a Deepawali, when our Ram has returned to his home once again,” Modi noted, adding, "And, this time, the wait has not been of 14 years, but of 500 years".

First Tejas LCA Mk1A To Be Delivered After Mid-2025

The first Tejas LCA Mk1A is not expected to be delivered until mid-2025.

The IAF had hoped to enhance its battle preparedness by quickly inducting the combat-ready Tejas LCA, but those hopes have been hindered by General Electric’s delay in supplying the F404 engines. Sources indicate that GE has tentatively communicated that engine supplies will not begin until around March 2025. The contract involves providing 99 engines for the initial batch of 83 Tejas Mk1A jets.

Once the engines arrive, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in Bengaluru will require one to two months to prepare the first Tejas Mk1A aircraft for the IAF. In 2021, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 47,500 crore deal with HAL for the supply of these fighter jets. While HAL is considering invoking penalty clauses against GE for the delayed engine supply, officials have ruled out any pressure tactics from the US, noting that GE is facing issues with a supplier responsible for a critical component.

Panel Recommends Hybrid, Multi-Stage Exam Model For NTA

A seven-member committee, led by former ISRO chief Dr K Radhakrishnan, has recommended significant changes to improve the National Testing Agency's (NTA) operations following a recent NEET paper leak that sparked national outrage. The proposals include conducting entrance exams online where feasible and adopting a hybrid model that allows question papers to be shared digitally, while responses can be recorded on paper if necessary.

Other suggestions include implementing a multi-stage exam process for medical aspirants, streamlining subject options under the Central University Entrance Test (CUET), and increasing the number of permanent staff within the NTA to manage these reforms efficiently. The committee was specifically tasked with enhancing data security, refining the examination process, and reassessing the NTA’s structure, and it recently submitted its recommendations to the Education Ministry.

Other Developments

India Want ‘Rank Turner’ For Mumbai Test Against New Zealand

Despite their recent struggles against overseas spinners, India’s team management has requested a “rank turner” for the final Test against New Zealand, starting Friday (1 November) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A source confirmed that the Mumbai Cricket Association has been asked to prepare a pitch favouring spin from day one, suggesting the team is relying on a familiar strategy.

India’s batsmen have faced challenges on turning tracks lately, with 19 out of 20 wickets in the recent Pune Test falling to spin, especially to left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. The Wankhede pitch, known for its red soil, will likely offer not only spin but also substantial bounce, creating a tough test for both teams.

Such conditions could even lead to an early finish, as was the case in previous Wankhede matches, including a three-day Test against Australia in 2004.

Dhanteras Gold Sales Fall Amid Soaring Prices

Jewellers approached this Dhanteras with hopes that the day’s sales would provide relief from a year of soaring gold prices. However, as the morning unfolded, they were met with thinly populated showrooms, a stark contrast to what is typically the busiest shopping day for precious metals. By afternoon, customer traffic began to pick up, eventually forming a crowd by evening, yet overall gold sales volume remained disappointing.

Surendra Mehta, National Secretary of the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), reported a 33 per cent rise in silver sales, while gold sales volume fell by 15 per cent. He attributed this shift to a search for better returns amid high gold prices, with silver seen as a more practical investment. Gold sales for this Dhanteras were expected to reach 35 tonnes, significantly lower than last year’s 42 tonnes, as gold prices surged by 30 per cent since last Diwali, with standard gold trading at Rs 78,430 on Tuesday.

ECI Rebukes Congress Over Haryana Poll Charge

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has 'categorically rejected' allegations of irregularities in Haryana elections raised by the Congress labelling the claims as "baseless." In a letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the poll body urged Congress and other political parties to refrain from making "unfounded and sensational complaints" during critical times such as polling and counting days.

The ECI warned that such actions could lead to public unrest and disrupt social order.The commission assured its commitment to timely grievance redressal while criticising Congress for continuously questioning electoral outcomes with "generic doubts" whenever the results are unfavourable.

From The States

Uncertainty Lingers Over 15 Seats In Maharashtra

The deadline for filing nominations has passed, yet clarity remains elusive for approximately 15 seats in Maharashtra. The ruling alliance, consisting of the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, has yet to announce candidates for four seats. Meanwhile, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP, and the Congress, has not officially declared candidates for 11 seats.

Currently, the BJP has fielded 152 candidates, Ajit Pawar's NCP has 52, and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena has put forth 80, including four seats allocated to smaller allies. In the MVA, the Congress has nominated 103 candidates, while Uddhav Thackeray's faction of Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar have 87 candidates combined.

DAP Shortage Sparks Panic Among Haryana Farmers

As mustard sowing begins and wheat sowing nears post-Diwali, a nationwide shortage of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) has triggered panic among farmers in Haryana. DAP, crucial for early root growth, is typically applied with seeds during planting. In areas like Gohana in Sonipat and Narnaul in Mahendragarh, police supervised DAP distribution due to high demand. On October 26 in Uchana, Jind, a farmer sustained minor injuries as police managed an unruly crowd gathered at a cooperative office for fertiliser.

Karnataka: ED Arrests Ex-Muda Commissioner In Land Scam Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took former Muda Commissioner DB Natesh into custody on Tuesday after questioning him in connection with a money laundering case tied to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority land scam, in which Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is implicated. Natesh, who served from 2020 to 2022, allocated 14 sites to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, who later decided to return the sites amidst allegations of irregularities in the allotment process.

The ED's actions followed fresh searches conducted across multiple locations in Bengaluru and Mysuru as part of its ongoing investigation into the Muda case. This case involves corruption allegations against Siddaramaiah, with claims that his wife received the 14 prime sites in Mysuru at a significantly inflated property value compared to the land acquired by Muda. The unfolding investigation highlights the scrutiny faced by officials involved in the controversial land allocations.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.