Gouri Lankesh to get posthumous Dr. N.M Muhammed Ali Charity Award
Bengaluru, June 15: Kerala Gazette officers association (KGOA) has decided to posthumously honour Journalist, social activist Gouri Lankesh who was brutally murdered by miscreants, with Dr. N.M Muhammed Ali Charity Award’.
The decision was taken by the association in its state executive committee meeting in Tiruvanantapuram.
Dr. Muhammed Ali played important role in uniting the government workers of Kerala. He headed the gazetted officers’ association as president and general secretary for long period of time.
A doctor by profession he was pro poor. He worked for communal harmony and was very popular among the masses.
Dr. Muhammed Ali was a rational thinker and has written many books and novels. The association is giving awards in his name since 2016.
The award includes Rs. 50,000 cash and a memento. In the first year, award was given to a person from medical field and in the second year a labour leader was honoured with award. This year the association has decided to honour a social activist.
The award ceremony will be held on June 22 at 3pm at Vijeti hall in Tiruvanantapuram.
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Middle East crisis: Oil prices cross $83 per barrel as Strait of Hormuz disruption hits supply
New Delhi: Global crude oil prices rose sharply on Thursday, crossing $83 per barrel, following Iran’s move to shut down the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Oil prices have increased by more than 2 per cent due to concerns over supply disruptions in the region, which is a key route for global energy shipments.
A sustained rise in crude prices could significantly affect India’s import bill. Government estimates indicate that an increase of $1 per barrel in crude oil prices for a full year could raise India’s import bill by around Rs 16,000 crore.
However, government sources said India remains in a relatively comfortable position in the short term. The country currently has crude oil reserves sufficient for about 25 days, along with an additional 25 days’ supply of petroleum products, including shipments already in transit to Indian ports.
India imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements from the Middle East, with much of the supply traditionally passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
Officials said India has strengthened its energy security in recent years by diversifying its sources of crude oil imports. Supplies have increasingly been sourced from countries such as Russia, African nations and the United States, reducing dependence on Gulf routes.
As a result, a portion of India’s oil imports now bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.
India spent about $137 billion on crude oil imports in the financial year ending March 31, 2025. In the current financial year, from April 2025 to January 2026, the country spent approximately $100.4 billion to import 206.3 million tonnes of crude oil.
