India's Busy Wednesday: Modi Visits Oman, Supreme Court Hears Pollution Plea, and More

It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day. After completing his Jordan and Ethiopia visits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Oman today (December 17). This will be the final leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour. Meanwhile, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court is set to hear a plea regarding the pollution crisis in Delhi. Also, India is set to host the second World Health Organization Global Summit in Delhi. Let’s take a closer look at all the big events taking place today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Oman in the final leg of a three-nation tour, which began in Jordan (December 15 to 16), followed by Ethiopia. India and Oman share a long-standing partnership built on trade links, people-to-people ties and strong historical relations. The prime minister’s visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture and more. The trip will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and follows the State Visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. As Delhi pollution worsens, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pamcholi will hear a plea related to deteriorating air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. The bench heard a submission by senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is assisting the case as an amicus curiae. Singh told the top court that despite preventive measures having been put in place, poor implementation by authorities needs to be addressed, and that until the court gives directions, compliance with protocols lags. “This is coming up before a three-judge bench on Wednesday (17 December). It will come up,” Kant, the Chief Justice of India, said. Delhi on Tuesday choked under a thick blanket of smog, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, as reported by NDTV. The AQI in Delhi had climbed to 461 on Sunday, marking the city’s most polluted day. India will host the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in Delhi today. The Ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organization (WHO) will co-host the event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, which will conclude on December 19. The theme of the summit is “Restoring Balance for People and Planet.” This platform aims to advance dialogue in the field of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). Ministers, policymakers, researchers, experts and industry representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to participate in the second such WHO Global Summit. Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav had expressed great pride that India will be hosting the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. India previously held the successful first edition in Gujarat in 2023. President Droupadi Murmu will visit the Golden Temple in Vellore. According to an official release, the President will perform darshan and aarti at the Golden Temple during her visit. The visit is part of her week-long tour of southern states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, from December 16 to 22. According to preparations underway in Vellore, security has been intensified, with over 1,000 police personnel deployed in and around the temple area. Officials are conducting thorough checks on accommodations in Ariyur and nearby localities to ensure safety, The News Today reported. Two Galileo satellites are set to be launched on an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), this is the 14th launch of operational satellites for the Galileo programme. Designated SAT 33 and SAT 34, the two Galileo satellites will improve the robustness of the Galileo system by adding spares to guarantee the system can always provide a navigation signal for users worldwide. The ESA is responsible for carrying out the Galileo launch with Arianespace on behalf of the European Commission. The launch broadcast will be followed by a post-launch event hosted by the European Commission in Brussels, which will be streamed on ESA WebTV. Once the satellites reach orbit, they will be activated and undergo testing to make sure they are undamaged. This process will last three to four months, following which they will enter into service. Also, the fourth T20 between India and South Africa will be played today at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match will begin at 7:00 pm today, and the toss will be scheduled for 6:30 pm. It will be streamed on the Jio Hotstar app and website, and the telecast will take place on the Star Sports Network. The third Ashes Test match will take place between arch-rivals Australia and England today. It will be played at the Adelaide Oval. The Test match will kick off at 5:30 am (IST). With inputs from agencies Baking offers comfort, structure, and a therapeutic process through measuring, stirring, and transforming ingredients. It serves as an emotional outlet, connecting people through shared joy and nostalgia, and marking traditions and special occasions. Baking allows for creativity and discovery, with bakers experimenting with new techniques and ingredients. Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.