Kerala's Responsible Tourism Mission has been honored with the Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023 in the 'Best for Local Sourcing - Craft and Food' category. The award recognizes Kerala's efforts in promoting sustainable and women-inclusive tourism initiatives. The state's Responsible Tourism Mission was commended for linking women-led small and medium-sized enterprises to tourism activities, effectively marketing indigenous products, and promoting authentic local food experiences. This prestigious international award highlights Kerala's successful implementation of responsible tourism projects, setting a viable model for other regions and countries. [ photo courtesy: kerala tourism Twitter handle ]

Air quality remains at dangerous 'severe' levels in parts of Delhi, prompting emergency government action. On Saturday the citywide AQI was 413 in the severe range, as per pollution control data. This follows an average AQI of 468 Friday, plunged from 392 the previous day due to northwesterly winds bringing stubble fire smoke, calmer winds, and dipping temperatures. An AQI above 400 is severe. Delhi's lieutenant governor convened an urgent meeting on the crisis, directing doubled use of water sprinklers and anti-smog guns. People are urged to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and use public transport to cut emissions and dust. RK Puram and Okhla Phase 2 were identified as the worst hot spots as air quality hit high severity unmatched since November 2021.

Nepal was jolted by a powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake on Friday night, causing tremors in North India, including Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Bihar. While the epicenter was in Nepal at a depth of 10 km, residents in Delhi-NCR felt strong tremors, prompting them to rush out of their homes. This marks the third significant earthquake to hit Nepal in a month. Earlier, on October 15, Delhi and nearby areas experienced tremors with an estimated magnitude of 3.1. No immediate reports of injuries or serious damage have been received from the affected regions.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 25 locations in Rajasthan, including Jaipur and Dausa, as part of a money laundering investigation into the Centre's 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. The searches targeted engineers, contractors, and former state government officials. The ED's action was based on an FIR filed by Rajasthan Police following allegations of a ₹20,000 crore scam in the mission's implementation. The raids come ahead of the state's assembly elections, raising concerns about the timing and intent of the Central government's actions. Polling for all 200 seats in the Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled for November 25.

Delhi continues to battle hazardous air quality as a thick haze blankets the city, with the air quality index (AQI) soaring to severe levels. The average AQI reached 464 (severe) on Friday morning, triggering stringent anti-pollution measures, including a ban on older vehicles and private construction activities. Due to deteriorating air quality, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a two-day closure of all government and private primary schools in Delhi yesterday. fires in neighboring states, driving up PM2.5 levels significantly. Authorities have implemented Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) amid concerns that the air quality may deteriorate further in the coming days.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that divorce proceedings cannot be initiated in a court based solely on casual visits to its jurisdiction. Interpreting the Hindu Marriage Act's reference to 'residing', the bench said more than a casual visit is required for jurisdiction. It dismissed an Australian woman's appeal against a Moradabad family court rejecting her divorce plea for lack of jurisdiction. Though the Act allows women to file at their place of residence, the court said undisputedly the woman resides in Australia. Mere arguments against procedural flaws don't override the jurisdictional issue, the HC held. Casual visits don't meet the 'residing' threshold for divorce jurisdiction.

Archaeologists express grave concern over the fate of an 80-pillar assembly hall believed to have hosted Emperor Ashoka's meetings 2,000 years ago. Buried 20 feet underground since 2004 due to waterlogging, experts call for its immediate re-excavation. The site, located in Kumhrar area, Patna, holds significant historical value, representing Mauryan architectural prowess. Experts emphasize its restoration as the only evidence of Mauryan emperors' architectural activities in the Indian subcontinent. The demand coincides with the release of draft heritage bye-laws, urging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to bring the ancient structure back to the surface. [ Representative Image ]

Delhi grapples with a severe air quality crisis as the city's Mundka area records an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 616, classified as 'hazardous.' The National Capital Region is marked with maroon flags denoting perilous air quality. Persistent stubble burning in Punjab and low wind speeds exacerbate the situation. The Delhi High Court holds the forest department responsible for the deteriorating AQI, emphasizing the impact on children's health. Municipal Corporation allocates funds to combat the pollution crisis in the city, as Delhi faces prolonged 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality conditions.          

A division emerges among tech titans as Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe, shares his perspective on work hours, contrasting Narayana Murthy's recent proposal for millennials to work a 70-hour week for nation-building. Speaking at Osmania University, Narayen emphasized the importance of individual choice, urging youngsters to do what works best for them. He encouraged professionals to take control of their careers and not perceive themselves as victims, advocating a long-term view. This stance diverges from Murthy's suggestion, sparking a debate within corporate India about the optimal work-life balance.

In a series of attacks near the India-Myanmar border in Moreh town, Manipur, suspected militants targeted a police convoy. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand Kumar was killed, and three constables were injured in separate incidents. The attackers fired on Kumar with a sniper rifle, leading to his death. Reinforcement teams also faced gunfire en route to Moreh. The Manipur government condemned the attacks, announcing a relief of ₹50 lakh for Kumar's family. The Cabinet recommended declaring the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council as banned group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and initiated joint operations to apprehend the culprits. Ethnic clashes in Manipur have claimed 178 lives since May.