In this busy world where people hardly find time to stay updated, Attention India brings you the top news and insights of the day. From Barack and Michelle Obama endorsing Kamala Harris for President, to PM Narendra Modi criticizing the Opposition over the Agnipath scheme on Kargil Vijay Diwas, to Jasprit Bumrah naming himself the ‘Greatest Indian Captain,’ to Google Maps revealing that walking is faster than driving in Bengaluru, to Sundar Pichai’s post highlighting Indian parents’ unwavering expectations, to the BJP appointing new state presidents in Bihar and Rajasthan—we cover all the major highlights. Stay informed and read on!
Barack and Michelle Obama Endorse Kamala Harris for President
Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have endorsed Kamala Harris for the US presidency. In a post on X, Obama praised Harris, stating, “Michelle and I think she’ll make a fantastic President and we’ll do everything we can to support her.” Michelle Obama expressed pride in Harris, highlighting her positivity and ability to inspire hope. Harris, 59, has secured enough delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race. Biden cited the need to focus on his current duties and concerns about his re-election prospects. The Obamas previously supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Biden in 2020.
PM Narendra Modi Criticizes Opposition Over Agnipath Scheme on Kargil Vijay Diwas
On the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, PM Narendra Modi visited the Kargil War Memorial and launched the Shinkun La Tunnel project for improved connectivity. Addressing the public, Modi criticized opposition parties for their stance on the Agnipath scheme, accusing them of trying to mislead and weaken the Army. He defended his government’s record on defense, citing the implementation of One Rank One Pension and improvements in soldier welfare. Modi also condemned Pakistan for its continued support of terrorism and highlighted the positive changes in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370.
Jasprit Bumrah Names Himself ‘Greatest Indian Captain’
Jasprit Bumrah surprised many by naming himself as the “greatest Indian cricket captain” in a recent rapid-fire interview, overlooking legends like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. Despite his impressive bowling career and brief captaincy stint—three international matches—Bumrah expressed pride in his own leadership. His captaincy debut came during a Test against England and two T20Is against Ireland. While Bumrah’s leadership remains under scrutiny due to limited experience, his self-assuredness and performance on the field continue to garner respect. Despite playing under celebrated captains, Bumrah sees himself as his own favorite leader, reflecting his confidence and commitment to the role.
Google Maps Reveals Walking Faster Than Driving in Bengaluru
In Bengaluru, Google Maps shows it’s sometimes quicker to walk than drive. A recent screenshot from a local revealed that traveling 6 km from Brigade Metropolis to KR Puram Railway Station takes 44 minutes by car but just 42 minutes on foot. This highlights Bengaluru’s notorious traffic issues, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and inadequate infrastructure. As the IT capital of India grows, its roads struggle to accommodate the increasing number of commuters, leading to severe congestion. Despite the frustrations, some locals suggest using public transport or innovative solutions like Beijing’s “rescue” service for stranded drivers to alleviate the city’s traffic woes.
Sundar Pichai’s Post Highlights Indian Parents’ Unwavering Expectations
Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s recent Instagram post humorously reveals that Indian parents’ expectations remain high, even for a top executive. Pichai, who received an honorary doctorate from IIT Kharagpur, joked about his parents’ desire for him to pursue a PhD. Despite leading one of the world’s most valuable companies, he shared that his parents hoped he would earn a doctorate, saying, “I think an honorary one still counts.” The post resonated with many, sparking jokes about the high standards of “brown parents.” Pichai’s light-hearted caption, receiving over 160,000 likes, reflects the common stereotype of relentless parental expectations in Indian families.
BJP Appoints New State Presidents in Bihar and Rajasthan
On Thursday, the BJP appointed Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore as the new state president of Rajasthan and Dilip Jaiswal, MLC and revenue land reforms minister, as the state unit president in Bihar. Jaiswal, who has served as the party’s state treasurer for 20 years and is the managing director of Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College, also oversees the Sikkim BJP.
The party also named new state in-charges: Arvind Menon for Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep, Harish Dwivedi for Assam, Rajdeep Roy for Tripura, Radha Mohan Das Agarwal for Rajasthan, and Atul Garg for Chandigarh.
