Today in History (August 02nd, 1990)
On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and Saddam Hussein’s subsequent refusal to withdraw his troops led to the Persian Gulf War. An international force led by the United States quickly defeated Iraq in the conflict that followed.
Summary of Today’s News
States can sub-classify SCs for quotas: top court
On August 2, 2024, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, ruled in a 6:1 majority that states can sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) for preferential treatment in public employment and education. Citing the Indra Sawhney case, the Court emphasized sub-classification is crucial for achieving substantive equality, with Articles 15(4) and 16(4) supporting this. The decision overruled the 2005 E.V. Chinnaiah case and suggested applying the “creamy layer principle” to exclude affluent SCs from reservations. Justice Bela Trivedi dissented, arguing states lack power to alter the Presidential List.
India believes in development, not expansionism: Modi.
During Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s commitment to maritime security and indirectly criticized Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, advocating for a free, open, rule-based Indo-Pacific. Modi’s stance aligns with the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tokyo, which stressed freedom of navigation. Minh Chinh supported these views, advocating for conflict resolution based on international law and praising India’s role in regional stability and peace-building.
Disaster Management Bill tabled in Lok Sabha.
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Union Minister Nityanand Rai, proposes key changes to India’s disaster management framework. It mandates a comprehensive National and State-Level Disaster Database, establishes Urban Disaster Management Authorities in major cities, and revises responsibilities, transferring disaster planning duties to the National and State Disaster Management Authorities. The Bill aims to improve urban disaster management but has faced opposition concerns about potential conflicts with State governments and overlapping responsibilities.
Lt.-Gen. Sadhna Saxena Nair is DG, Medical Services of Army
Lieutenant-General Sadhna Saxena Nair has made history as the first woman appointed as the Director General, Medical Services (Army). This follows her groundbreaking role as the first female Director General of Hospital Services (Armed Forces) and her promotion to Air Marshal. Her distinguished career includes graduating from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, joining the Army Medical Corps in 1985, and serving as the first woman Principal Medical Officer of the Western and Training Commands. She also contributed as an expert member of the Dr. Kasturirangan Committee on medical education.
