Freedom fighter and Gandhian Hema Bharali, known for her efforts to uplift the condition of women and empower the marginalised sections of society, died at her residence here on Wednesday morning due to old age related health issues, her close associates said.

She was 101 and a spinster.

Her last rites were performed with full state honours here.

Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi condoled the death of the veteran freedom fighter and said that the state has lost a leading social worker and a Gandhian.

“Her life and works will continue to be a source of inspiration for the present and upcoming generations in the state,” he added.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also expressed his deepest condolences.

“Saddened to hear the news of noted Gandhian leader, freedom fighter and Padma Shri awardee Hem Bharali aaita’s passing away. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members,” he tweeted.

Born on February 19, 1919, Bharali had received the Padma Shri in 2005.

In 2006, she was awarded the National Communal Harmony Award by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

She also received the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial Award for National Integration from the Assam government.

May 1 is celebrated as International Labour Day 2020 or May Day 2020 across the world. In India, this day is also known as Labour Day, May Day, Shramik Divas and Mazdoor Divas and Kamghar Divas in Maharashtra. This day celebrates the contribution of the labour force in the development of the Indian economy. Labour Day or Shramik Divas is celebrated for labour rights and unity. Many countries like India observe this day as a public holiday. Labour unions across the country organise rallies and public gatherings to mark this day but this year that won't be possible due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown to contain COVID-19. Here are some wishes, quotes, images, status from our side that encapsulate the essence of this day perfectly:

• Work is no disgrace. Instead, the disgrace is idleness. Happy May Day 2020

• May Day is the day to salute the hard work and dedication of strong-willed souls around us. Wishing them a very happy Mayday.

• To all the good workers of society, we humbly thank you for your constant service to the nation. Happy international workers day to you.

• Those who enjoy their work can only do it correctly.- Aristotle

Scientists and students from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science &Technology,Govt. of Indiastudied rivers in Ladakh Himalaya, bringing out 35 thousand-year history of river erosion and identified hotspots of erosion and wide valleys that act a buffer zones.

The study showed how rivers in drier Ladakh Himalaya operated in longer time scales and how they responded to varying climate, an understanding of water and sediment routing,which is crucial as the country gears up its infrastructure and develops smart cities.

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology have developed a generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation code capable of studying a wide spectrum of coherent electric field structures in near-earth plasma environment or earth’s magnetosphere which can be useful in planning of future space missions.

The Earth’s magnetosphere is a vast region which has a finite number of satellites hurtling through this realm. Hence, the in situ observations are finite and discrete.

The morphology of the plasma processes around the satellite can be understood quite well. However, when they leave the observational domain of one satellite to enter into another, a vast blind arena is created. How the morphology of these processes changes over space and time can be ideally deciphered only through computer simulations.

This was the motivation for Dr. Ajay Lotekar to address the problem under the guidance of Dr. Amar Kakad from IIG.

Deepak Mittal has been appointed India’s next Ambassador to Qatar, while Piyush Srivastava goes to Bahrain in the same capacity, as per an official release of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued on Wednesday.

Deepak Mittal is a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Mr Mittal has served as a Joint Secretary in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

The new appointees are of the 1998 batch of Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and both of them are expected to take up their assignments shortly.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday launched ‘Jagananna Vidya Deevena’, a fee reimbursement scheme that would benefit 14 lakh college students in the State.

From the 2020–21 academic year, the fee reimbursement amount would be credited directly into the accounts of the mothers instead of that of the students in four instalments.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday said it has approved $1.5 billion loan to India to help fund its fight against coronavirus pandemic.

The loan has been sanctioned to support immediate priorities such as disease containment and prevention, as well as social protection for the poor and economically vulnerable sections.

It is fully committed to supporting the Indian government in its response to this unprecedented challenge, said ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa.

Private sector lender Axis Bank on Tuesday said it would acquire an additional 29 per cent stake in Max Life Insurance for an estimated price of Rs 1,592 crore, raising its total holding in the life insurer to 30 per cent after the completion of the deal.

Max Financial Services will hold the remaining 70 per cent in the joint venture.
Axis is looking to purchase around 556 million shares of Max Life Insurance at a price of Rs 28.61 per share, but the estimate will change based on the date when the deal is closed. The bank will acquire the shares from Max Financial Services and sign a shareholders’ agreement and a share-purchase agreement.
The boards of Axis Bank and Max Financial Services (MFS) met on April 27 and gave the go-ahead to the deal. This comes after the signing of the confidentiality and exclusivity arrangement on February 20 to explore the possibility of a long-term strategic partnership between Axis and Max Life.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Robinson, who later on went to become a well-known commentator in Spain, has died aged 61.

Robinson joined Liverpool from Brighton and Hove Albion in August 1983 following previous spells at Preston North End -- where he began to make his name -– and Manchester City.

He spent 18 months with the Reds, making 42 appearances and scoring 12 goals during the 1983-84 season as Joe Fagan's team lifted the league title, European Cup and League Cup.

Kenny Dalglish has paid his respects to former Liverpool forward Michael Robinson, who has passed away at the age of 61.

Following the announcement of Robinson's passing on Tuesday, Sir Dalglish sent his thoughts to Robinson's family and a tribute to his old teammate.

"I am deeply saddened by the news that Michael has passed away and my sympathies go out to his wife Chris and their two children, Liam and Aimee," he said.

Mark Lawrenson, who was Robinson's teammate, told the club's website: "Robbo was such a whole-hearted player."

"He would give you absolutely everything and he wouldn't try to do things that he couldn't.

"He wasn't a Rush or a Dalglish, he was Michael Robinson, and he played a big part for us during that treble season," he added.

Robins