Kannada becomes 53rd language of Vatican Media
Vatican Radio – Vatican News has announced the inclusion of Kannada as its 53rd language, making news accessible to millions of speakers in India through its web portal. The initiative is a result of collaboration between the Dicastery for Communication and the Archdiocese of Bangalore in Karnataka.
Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore expressed his delight at the launch of Kannada pages on the Vatican News platform. He emphasized the significance of having news about the Pope, the Vatican, the universal Church, and the world available in Kannada for the local Church in Karnataka. Archbishop Machado thanked Pope Francis for his focus on synodality and bringing the Church to the peripheries, stating that the faithful would benefit from reading these articles.
Dr. Paolo Ruffini, the Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication, highlighted the addition of Kannada as a tribute to the culture of 35 million Indians. He emphasized the importance of authentic communication and collaboration with the Catholic community to serve the people.
Andrea Tornielli, Editorial Director of Vatican Media, emphasized the decision to add Kannada to Vatican Radio – Vatican News as a service to millions of Indians who speak the language. He stated that this decision confirms their commitment to serving the universal Church and strengthening ties between Rome and the world.
Massimiliano Menichetti, Head of Vatican Radio – Vatican News, reflected on the Church's journey in using communication to spread the Christian proclamation. He noted the significance of new technologies in reaching a wider audience and expressed the team's commitment to continue spreading the Good News through platforms like Vatican News in Kannada.
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Maharashtra government considers tweaks to Ladki Bahin scheme amid fiscal strain: Reports
Mumbai: A day after the Mahayuti coalition secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, attention has turned to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship welfare scheme that played a pivotal role in attracting women voters.
The scheme, launched in July 2024, offers ₹1,500 per month to economically disadvantaged women aged 18 to 65. The Mahayuti, in its election manifesto, pledged to increase the amount to ₹2,100 per month, a promise now under scrutiny due to fiscal concerns. With the scheme projected to cost the exchequer ₹33,300 crore from July 2024 to March 2025, bureaucrats are exploring ways to revise its provisions to prevent a financial imbalance.
Finance Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar hinted at the challenges, stressing the need for "financial discipline." A senior bureaucrat confirmed that plans are underway to prune the list of beneficiaries, citing the inclusion of ineligible individuals due to incomplete Aadhaar seeding and lack of required ration cards. According to the finance department, nearly one crore women out of the 2.43 crore registered beneficiaries may not qualify for the scheme.
The state’s debt burden is already projected to reach ₹7.82 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Officials warn that continuing the scheme in its current form could impact the government’s ability to pay salaries by January. Despite these concerns, the ruling coalition is hesitant to reduce the beneficiary list, likely due to the upcoming civic elections.
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik is expected to present renegotiation proposals to the new chief minister soon. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde credited the scheme for increasing the number of women voters and boosting the coalition’s vote share. NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar also acknowledged the scheme’s role in mobilising women voters.
Other welfare measures introduced by the government include an electricity bill waiver for farmers and three free LPG cylinders annually for six million households. However, the financial viability of such initiatives remains a pressing concern.
