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It’s February 25. Today, we’re covering internet shutdowns in 2024, 5G growth, the Shashi Tharoor-Congress feud, and more.

MUST KNOW

India Tops Democratic Nations for Internet Shutdowns in 2024

India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024—more than any other democracy and second only to Myanmar’s 85, according to digital rights group Access Now. While this marks a decrease from 116 shutdowns in 2023, India still accounted for 28% of global disruptions.

Of these, 41 were linked to protests, 23 stemmed from communal violence, and 5 were imposed during government job exams. Manipur (21 shutdowns), Haryana (12), and Jammu & Kashmir (12) were the worst-affected regions.

296 shutdowns across 54 countries were recorded globally in 2024.

5G Revolution in the Country

India’s 5G standalone (SA) availability hit 52% in Q4 2024, trailing only China’s 80%, according to Ookla. This means Indian users with 5G-capable devices had access to 5G more than half the time they used mobile networks.

Reliance Jio led the charge with 170 million 5G users by December 2024, while Bharti Airtel, which primarily offers non-standalone (NSA) 5G, reached 120 million users. Seven of the top ten countries for 5G SA availability were in Asia Pacific, with India ranking second globally.

More Money from Adani

The Adani Group has announced plans to invest ₹1.1 lakh crore ($13 billion) in Madhya Pradesh, targeting sectors like pumped storage, cement, mining, smart meters, and thermal energy. The investment aims to create over 1.2 lakh jobs by 2030.

With ₹50,000 crore already invested in the state across energy, infrastructure, and logistics, Adani is also in talks with the state government for an additional ₹1 lakh crore, potentially funding a greenfield smart city, a major airport project, and coal gasification facilities.

GOOD TO KNOW 

Policy & Governance

> Delhi Gets Its First Woman Leader of Opposition – AAP leader Atishi has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, marking the first time a woman has held the role. The upcoming assembly session will also make history as the first where both the Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition are women.

> Shashi Tharoor-Congress Rift Deepens – Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sparked controversy within his party after praising Kerala’s Left government for its entrepreneurial growth and past comments appreciating PM Modi’s diplomatic efforts. The Congress’s Kerala mouthpiece, Veekshanam Daily, indirectly criticized Tharoor for his remarks. Tharoor also highlighted the absence of strong leadership within the state’s Congress unit and said he has “options” if the party no longer values his contributions.

> ₹22,000 Crore Transferred to Farmers Under PM-KISAN – PM Modi has released the 19th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, transferring ₹22,000 crore to 9.8 crore farmers across India. Each beneficiary received ₹2,000 as part of the scheme’s annual income support of ₹6,000, distributed in three instalments.

> Government Withdraws Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2025 After Protests – The government withdrew the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following public consultation and concerns raised by legal professionals. The Bill faced opposition over provisions restricting court boycotts, increasing liability for misconduct, and expanding the Bar Council’s supervisory powers over State Bar Councils.

Tech, Media & Telecom

> Geniemode Secures $50M in Series C Funding – B2B cross-border e-commerce startup Geniemode has raised over $50 million in a Series C funding round. Catering to buyers in furniture, home textiles, apparel, and accessories, the company reported ₹556 crore in revenue for FY24 but faced losses of ₹77.62 crore.

> Amgen Commits $200 Million to New Tech Hub – U.S. drugmaker Amgen will invest $200 million in 2025 to establish a technology and innovation center in Hyderabad, focusing on AI and data science for drug development. The center is expected to employ 2,000 people by year-end.

Environment & Energy

> Protests Erupt Over $5 Billion Ken-Betwa River-Linking Project – Thousands in Madhya Pradesh are protesting the ~₹44,000 crore Ken-Betwa river-linking project, fearing displacement and loss of livelihoods. The project, launched by PM Modi last year, aims to channel water from the Ken River to the Betwa River via tunnels, canals, and a dam. Officials estimate that at least 21 villages and large areas of forest land will be affected, displacing over 7,000 families.

Etcetera

> Crackdown on Illegal Travel Agents – Punjab authorities have revoked the licenses of 40 travel agents in Amritsar following a surge in deportations of Indians who migrated illegally to the U.S. Meanwhile, a fourth batch of 12 illegal Indian immigrants deported by the U.S. arrived in Delhi today.

> Fact Check: No $21M USAID Funding for Voter Turnout in India – Contrary to claims amplified by Elon Musk and the Trump administration, an investigation found that USAID did not allocate $21 million for voter turnout in India. Documents reveal that the funding was intended for a non-profit promoting political engagement in Bangladesh, where the opposition faces severe crackdowns.

WORTH A LOOK

On this day in 2010, Sachin Tendulkar scored the first ever double century in ODI cricket. Here’s a video capturing the iconic moment.

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