The news headlines of 2023 are all set to enter history’s VIP room! Before we say ‘Hi’ to the new year, let’s get the top news headlines seated in the train to history. From Chandrayaan 3’s historic soft landing on the moon’s south pole to the Lok Sabha passing the historic Women’s Reservation Bill – this year’s stories are the stuff that will go down in the annals of India’s history for posterity. Politics served drama hotter than reality TV, disruptive technology has shaken hands with innovation like old friends at a reunion, and sporting feats have made records blush. Yes, some 2023 news is painting itself gold, ready for its legendary appearance in history.
Let’s have a quick look at the never-ending headlines!
1. AI: A bane or a boon
The 2023 class was all about AI! AI stormed into the scene, not with an ordinary entrance but with a mic drop that rang through the ages. It didn’t simply knock like some normal subjects would – it walked right in, took a look around, and said, “Allow me to upgrade the existence of human beings.”
AI has advanced its capabilities, making inroads in all domains, from technology to content. From making your regular coffee to forecasting your whims better than a best friend – it wasn’t simply smarter, it came like a socialite, seamlessly mingling in every industry’s New Year party. And no sector was left untouched with this blessing wrapped as technology!
2. Chandrayaan-3’s Historic Landing on the Moon
India’s Chandrayaan-3, the country’s third moon mission, successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14 2023 at 2:35 p.m. The mission launched from the centre’s second launch pad atop a Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) rocket. India became the first nation to achieve a soft landing near the Moon’s southern pole.
3. India Surpassed China’s Population
In 2023, India surpassed China as the most populous country, with half of its population under 25 years of age, which augurs well for the country’s growth and development. This dual phenomenon depicts India’s youthful life brightly. India is now a powerhouse of youth potential, enthusiasm, and creativity, as half of the population is under 25 and almost 65% is under 35. It’s as if a stadium was filled with future leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries hungry to influence the world and take over it.
4. New Parliament Inauguration
The inauguration of India’s new Parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a momentous occasion in the nation’s democratic journey. The inauguration was more than simply a ribbon-cutting ceremony – it was a declaration that the spirit of democracy in India is alive and well, ready to lead the country into a future of progress, unity, and prosperity.
5. The Emerging Superpower – India hosted G20 Summit
The 18th G20 Summit, India’s first, successfully concluded in New Delhi. India shone at the summit, playing a pivotal role in guiding discussions and driving initiatives among the world’s most influential economies. The summit gained consensus on important topics by basing its focus on the Sanskrit term “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which emphasises sustainability. Despite differences in attitudes toward Russia between the U.S.A. and Europe, the summit featured a focus on Sustainable Development Goals, climate action, AI, and international taxes.
6. Women Reservation Bill
The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, known as the Women’s Reservation Bill, was introduced in the Lok Sabha during a special session on September 19, 2023 and passed with near unanimity the next day. With this bill, 33% of seats in both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies will be reserved for women who are directly elected.
7. Rahul Gandhi Disqualified as MP, later reinstated
In March 2023, Rahul Gandhi lost his Lok Sabha seat when a Gujarat court found him guilty of defamation in connection with his comments regarding the ‘Modi surname.’ He earned a two-year prison sentence, which disqualified him from being a legislator under the regulation that disqualifies legislators for sentences of two years or more. Later, the disqualification was reinstated after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in the criminal defamation case filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.
8. India Clinched 100 medals @Asian Games
India’s performance at the 2023 Asian Games was outstanding, with our athletes demonstrating exceptional skill and securing an impressive number of medals. On October 7, 2023, India set the benchmark high as it reached a historic milestone by winning 100 medals, comprising 25 gold, 35 silver, and 40 bronze.
9. Gangster Atiq Shot Dead on Live Television
In February 2023, Atiq Ahmed, a jailed mobster and former MP, was charged for the daylight murder of Umesh Pal. In April, while being escorted by police for a check-up, Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were tragically murdered by three people posing as journalists on live television. This sparked doubts about Uttar Pradesh police security, as it was unclear how the killers got around the police perimeter.
10. Intruders @New Parliament
On December 13, two intruders fired off coloured smoke canisters and leaped from desk to desk within Lok Sabha in the new parliament. They were captured quickly, along with two friends who deployed coloured smoke outside the building.
