Morning Brief: National Mourning For 7 Days To Honour Manmohan Singh; China Approves Construction Of World's Largest Dam On Brahmaputra; India To Build Commuter Aircraft With 700 Km Range

Dear reader, catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

National Mourning For 7 Days To Honour Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s 1991 economic reforms and a two-time PM, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92 in Delhi, after being treated for age-related conditions at AIIMS. The central government is expected to declare seven days of national mourning following a Cabinet meeting scheduled for 11 am, and all government programs on Friday have been cancelled. Congress party General Secretary KC Venugopal announced the cancellation of the party’s Foundation Day celebrations and all other programs for the next seven days as a mark of respect.

AIIMS stated that Singh was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home and, despite resuscitative efforts, was declared dead at 9.51 pm.

Singh’s role in economic liberalisation is credited with transforming India’s financial trajectory and pulling the nation back from bankruptcy, though such credit often ignores the pivotal role played by PV Narasimha Rao as Prime Minister.

China Approves Construction Of World's Largest Dam On Brahmaputra

China has approved the construction of what is set to become the world’s largest dam, located on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border. The dam, planned for the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, is expected to be the planet's biggest infrastructure project, with an investment exceeding one trillion yuan ($137 billion), surpassing even China’s Three Gorges Dam.

The news, reported by Xinhua and the South China Morning Post, has raised concerns in India and Bangladesh, which are downstream nations. Although India has not officially commented on the project, government sources stated that India closely monitors developments on the Brahmaputra. China has previously assured India that it only undertakes run-of-the-river projects on the river.

India To Build Commuter Aircraft With 700 Km Range

India is moving forward with plans to manufacture a commuter aircraft with a range of 600-700 km by forming a dedicated special purpose vehicle (SPV), reports say. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has sought approval from the Ministry of Finance to establish the new entity, and the proposal has been presented to the Committee on Establishment Expenditure. The SPV will bring together stakeholders from both public and private sectors to develop India's first commuter aircraft. It will be responsible for approving the aircraft's design, assessing financial and demand factors, and facilitating technology transfer. Eventually, a single company or joint venture will manufacture the aircraft under the SPV's guidance, while also promoting domestic production of aircraft components.

Other Developments

Profitability of Banks Improves For Sixth Year In A Row

India's banking sector saw profitability rise for the sixth consecutive year in FY24, with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) dropping to a 13-year low of 2.7 per cent. The RBI report highlighted strong macroeconomic fundamentals that bolstered the performance of both banking and non-banking financial sectors. Banks also reported improved asset quality, with the GNPA ratio declining further to 2.5 per cent by September 2024. Net profit of scheduled commercial banks surged 32.8 per cent, reaching Rs 3,49,603 crore in FY24. Return on assets (RoA) stood at 1.4 per cent, and return on equity (RoE) was at 14.6 per cent, showing continued growth in the first half of FY25.

Top American universities are urging international students to return to campuses by January 20, fearing complications under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Trump has promised stricter immigration policies, including a travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries and the revocation of student visas for those deemed “anti-American,” according to CNN. Over 1.1 million international students, including thousands of Indians, are enrolled in the 2023-24 academic year and could be affected by these potential changes. International students typically hold non-immigrant visas, which allow them to study but not remain in the US long-term. These new policies may make it more difficult for students to re-enter the country after the winter break.

Winter Storm To Hit North And Central India

A major storm is expected to hit large parts of North, West, and Central India starting Friday, bringing snow, rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. The storm is caused by a Western disturbance that will combine with winds from the east, drawing moisture from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This will lead to heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Gujarat on December 27. Madhya Pradesh is also likely to face similar weather on December 27 and 28.

China Tests Stealthy Sixth-Generation Combat Aircraft

China appears to be testing a new stealthy, high-performance sixth-generation crewed combat aircraft, with images of the aircraft emerging on December 26. Although the exact identity of the aircraft is not yet confirmed, its design aligns with China’s previously stated ambitions for sixth-generation airpower. The images show the aircraft conducting a daytime test flight alongside a Chengdu J-20S fighter, which served as a chase plane.

The new aircraft features a tailless design with a modified delta wing and chine lines extending to the nose, with a fuselage that bears some resemblance to the J-20. Its broad nose might allow for side-by-side crew seating, though the limited views of the canopy leave the seating configuration uncertain, with options for single or twin seats.

From The States

Annamalai Vows To End DMK Rule

BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai, in a heated media address in Coimbatore, criticised the DMK government for the state’s worsening law and order situation. In a dramatic gesture, he removed his shoes and vowed to remain barefoot until the DMK government is ousted, emphasizing his commitment to fighting elections without resorting to money distribution.

Annamalai also pledged to flog himself six times outside his residence to "eradicate all evil" and announced plans to fast for 48 days to visit all six of Lord Murugan’s temples in the state. His remarks came during a press conference about the sexual assault of a 19-year-old student at Anna University, where he also condemned the police for leaking the FIR and exposing the victim's identity.

Telangana CM Forms Panel To Resolve Telugu Cinema Issues

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee to address issues facing the Telugu film industry. During a meeting with film industry members, Reddy acknowledged their concerns and pledged government support. The Telangana government has already taken steps to assist, including issuing special orders for eight films and providing police grounds for the filming of Pushpa-2. Additionally, a new brand identity will be created for the Telugu film industry to foster its growth. Film producer Dil Raju has been appointed Chairman of the Film Development Corporation to strengthen government-industry coordination.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.