India News Roundup | New ICC Chairman announcement, airports on high alert for Mpox & more

In today’s news roundup, Dalit and Adivasi groups are observing Bharat Bandh, which is affecting various regions. Increased vigilance is in place at borders and airports due to the Mpox outbreak. In Maharashtra, the “Rail Roko” protest in Badlapur has led to disruptions in local train services. Know more about what's happening in the country with this Indian new roundup!

In response to rising global concerns about the Mpox virus, the Union Health Ministry has issued strict guidelines for monitoring inbound passengers at airports and land borders. Under the new measures, travellers showing symptoms of Mpox will be promptly isolated to prevent further spread.

To manage potential cases, three major hospitals in Delhi—Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital—have been designated as quarantine centres.

On Tuesday, the “Rail Roko” protest at Badlapur Station in Maharashtra’s Thane district disrupted local train services on the Central Line, halting Mumbai-bound trains. The protest, which began at 10:10 am, led to significant delays and cancellations of services.

In response, Maharashtra police have increased security measures at the station to prevent a recurrence of the incident. Additional personnel have been deployed to ensure smooth operations and maintain order.

Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is emerging as a leading candidate to replace Greg Barclay as Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Shah’s potential appointment was bolstered by the ICC's announcement on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) that Barclay will step down from his position at the ICC’s annual conference in November.

Dalit and Adivasi organisations have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ today to demand enhanced representation for marginalised communities in employment and education, and to safeguard their constitutional rights.

This peaceful strike follows a recent Supreme Court ruling on the sub-categorisation of quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), and ongoing debates over lateral entry into central civil services.

On Tuesday, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath announced that the space agency has completed the design phase for its upcoming moon missions, Chandrayaan 4 and 5, and is now seeking government approval.

Additionally, Somanath revealed plans to launch 70 satellites over the next five years, highlighting ISRO’s continued commitment to advancing space exploration and technology.