Vodafone's job initiative to help 5 mn Indians find work
Mumbai: Telecom service provider Vodafone on Tuesday announced the launch of a new digital skills and jobs initiative that aims to help five million youth in India and 10 million young people across 18 countries find employment by 2022.
The initiative, named "What will you be?", launched internationally will provide career guidance and access to training content in the digital economy.
"India has one of the youngest populations in the world. The vision of Digital India, to which we are all committed, requires an abundance of digital skills and new learnings," Sunil Sood, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone India, said in a statement.
"Over time, every workplace will go digital, creating new roles and accelerating the demand for a wide range of specialist technology skills relevant for a digital economy.
"With this programme we want to prepare five million young people across India to be future fit for work places of the new world," Sood said.
As part of the initiative, Vodafone has also developed a Future Jobs Finder -- a new online platform accessible to all youth for career guidance, access to relevant training and searching meaningful jobs in the digital economy globally.
It aims to help match skills with potential job positions and extends an opportunity to improve skills through online courses.
Users can also access relevant online digital skills training on this platform, where several courses are available free of cost.
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Supreme Court to hear 73 petitions challenging Waqf (Amendment) Act amid nationwide protests
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to begin hearing today a batch of 73 petitions questioning the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, a legislation that has sparked protests and sharp political debate across the country. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, will commence proceedings at 2 PM.
The petitions, filed by a broad spectrum of political leaders, religious organisations, and citizens, challenge the amended Act on multiple grounds. Among the petitioners are MPs and MLAs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP, CPI, RJD, JDU, AIMIM, Samajwadi Party, YSRCP, TVK, and Indian Union Muslim League. Prominent names include Asaduddin Owaisi, Amanatullah Khan, Mahua Moitra, Mohammad Jawed, Manoj Kumar Jha, and Faiyyaz Ahmad.
Religious bodies like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind are also among the petitioners. In addition, two Hindu individuals—Advocate Hari Shankar Jain and Parul Khera—have approached the court with arguments against the Waqf Act itself.
Grounds of Challenge
The petitioners have raised several constitutional and religious objections, including:
- The dismantling of the democratic structure of State Waqf Boards through the removal of elections.
- Provisions allowing non-Muslims to be appointed to Waqf Boards.
- A redefinition of "Waqf" that eliminates the concept of "Waqf by user."
- Restrictions on Scheduled Tribe members from creating Waqfs.
- Fear of increased government interference and arbitrary executive control.
- Concerns that oral or undocumented Waqf properties could be lost.
- Allegations that the amendments seek to convert Waqf properties into government assets.
The petitioners argue that the Act infringes on the Muslim community’s religious and cultural autonomy and violates fundamental rights under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.
Government’s stand
The Central Government, which has filed a caveat to ensure it is heard before any interim relief is granted, maintains that the amendments are intended to increase transparency and efficiency in the management of Waqf properties. Seven states have also backed the Centre’s stand, seeking to intervene in support of the Act.
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, and in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 opposed. It received presidential assent on April 5, 2025.
The Supreme Court's decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for the administration of religious endowments in India.
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