India welcomed several significant decisions adopted at the conference, in the “High-level Statement” at the Closing Plenary of the UNFCCC CoP30 in Belem, Brazil, on Saturday.

The statement conveyed India’s gratitude to the CoP President for his leadership, which it said was rooted in inclusion, balance, and the “Brazilian spirit of Mutirão,” and guided CoP30 with integrity.
Welcoming progress under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), India underscored the equity dimension of the decision, noting that it reflects recognition of the overwhelming need for adaptation in developing countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

A key element of India’s address was the emphasis on the long-standing obligations of developed countries to provide climate finance. The statement expressed appreciation for the Presidency’s efforts in supporting India in beginning the journey towards a long-overdue focus on Article 9.1.

It added that India sincerely hopes that, in the spirit of international cooperation, promises made 33 years ago in Rio would now be fulfilled due to the first steps Parties have taken in Belem.

India expressed satisfaction with the major outcomes of CoP30, foremost among them the establishment of the Just Transition Mechanism. The statement called it a significant milestone and expressed hope that it would help operationalize equity and climate justice at both global and national levels.

India thanked the Presidency for providing space to discuss unilateral trade-restrictive climate measures, which it said are increasingly affecting developing countries and violate the principles of equity and CBDR-RC enshrined in the Convention and its Paris Agreement.

The statement stressed that these issues cannot continue to be brushed under the carpet, adding that Parties have made a beginning to reverse this trend.

Reiterating India’s principled approach to climate action, the statement highlighted that the burden of climate change mitigation must not be shifted onto those least responsible for causing the problem.

It stressed the need for greater global support to vulnerable populations, a large majority of whom are in the Global South, so they may protect themselves from the escalating impacts of climate change.

India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to science-based and equitable climate action. It observed that India remains committed to a rules-based global order that is equitable and respectful of national sovereignty.

The nation also reaffirmed its commitment to working with all Parties to ensure that climate ambition is inclusive, just, and equitable.

In conclusion, the statement reaffirmed India’s support and gratitude to Brazil and the international community in the road ahead. It called on all Parties to put in a collective effort to ensure that the road from Belem leads to a future defined by fairness, solidarity, and shared prosperity for all.

New Delhi, Nov 23: Justice Surya Kant will take oath on Monday as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), marking the beginning of his 14-month tenure in the country’s highest judicial office.

President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office to Justice Kant, who succeeds incumbent CJI Bhushan R. Gavai. The President had earlier appointed Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India “in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution”, following the recommendation of CJI Gavai.

Justice Gavai, who demits the CJI’s office on Sunday upon attaining the age of 65, upheld the convention of naming the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court as his successor.

Justice Surya Kant, born on February 10, 1962, in a middle-class family in Haryana, began his legal journey in Hisar in 1984 before moving to Chandigarh to practise before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Over the years, he handled a broad spectrum of constitutional, service and civil matters, representing universities, boards, corporations, banks and even the High Court itself.

He was appointed the youngest Advocate General of Haryana in July 2000, designated a senior advocate in 2001, and elevated as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004.

He later served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 2018 until his elevation to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Since November 2024, he has been serving as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.

On Saturday, in an interaction with the media ahead of assuming charge, the CJI-designate said that reducing pendency in the Supreme Court and courts across the country would be his foremost priority.

He said that one of his first steps as the Chief Justice of India would be to engage with all High Courts to identify problems affecting the functioning of district and subordinate courts.

He also announced that Constitution Benches of five, seven and nine judges would be constituted “in the next few weeks” to hear important matters that have been pending for a long time.

Emphasising the need to strengthen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, Justice Surya Kant said, “Mediation will also be implemented effectively to reduce the burden of millions of cases.” Community mediation, he added, must be encouraged, especially to reduce disputes between state governments and between the Centre and the states.

“A conducive environment must be created for this,” he said.

Asked about the scope of employing AI to reduce the backlog of cases, Justice Surya Kant said that there are many issues and challenges. “It has advantages, but people also have some concerns. It can be used in procedural matters. However, everyone wants their case to be decided by a judge,” he said.

Indian courts are burdened with a massive load of 5.29 crore pending cases, according to official data up to July 21 available on the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG). Of these, 4.65 crore cases are pending in district and subordinate courts, 63.30 lakh in High Courts, and 86,742 before the Supreme Court.

Panaji, Nov 22: Prominent Bollywood actor, director, and producer Anupam Kher said on Saturday that Kashmir is full of stories, and it is essential for Kashmiris to share their stories with the world outside. “There are numerous stories in Kashmir. Write your stories. Film your stories. And, tell your stories. It is important to take your stories to the world,” Kher said, talking exclusively to Greater Kashmir, at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Panaji in Goa.

“Creativity keeps you away from negativity,” he said. “Kashmir is a treasure trove of stories. There are a lot of stories that you can write, film, and tell. Today, everyone has a mobile phone. Your phone is your studio. Use them to tell your stories to the world outside.”

A recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema and arts, as well as two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards for his acting performances, Kher appealed to youth living in small towns and villages across Kashmir to come forward and venture into the creative fields of arts and films.

Kher, who has acted in 549 films in a career spanning four decades, said, “Make films and make your own name. Send your films to IFFI. Actors, directors, and producers from all parts of the country and the world come to IFFI. They will recognise your talent.”

Known for his acting debut in Saaransh and roles in movies like Karma, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Special 26, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Khosla Ka Ghosla, Kher said, “Kashmir is such a beautiful place. You just place your camera, and the scenery in the background is breathtaking. I haven’t seen a more beautiful place in the world than Kashmir.”

Stressing that he has Kashmiri roots, Kher proudly speaks in the Kashmiri language, greeting with ‘Warai Chuke’ and ‘Garai Che Sarey Warey’ salutations, he said, “I am a Kashmiri whose family settled in Shimla.”

Kher’s three films – Tanvi the Great, The Bengal Files, and the Canadian film Calorie – have been selected for IFFI 2025.

“This is a matter of pride for me that my three films have been selected for IFFI this year,” he said.

This year, 270 films from 81 countries are being screened at IFFI, with Japan being the country of focus.

At least 124 new film creators from all over the country and abroad also got an opportunity to showcase their talent to the world through their content production and storytelling.

IFFI 2025 celebrates the theme ‘Convergence of Creativity and Technology’, and this year, for the first time, IFFI includes an AI Hackathon, encouraging filmmakers to use AI for content development and filmmaking.

Started in 1952, IFFI continues to be South Asia’s oldest and largest celebration of cinema.

Jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), and the State Government of Goa, the festival has grown into a global cinematic powerhouse over the years.

The festival also witnesses restored classics, while filmmakers also come up with their bold experiments.

Attending the festival is particularly rewarding for those interested in pursuing filmmaking as a profession.

It provides an opportunity for first-timers to share space with legendary maestros.

IFFI provides international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the high-energy WAVES Film Bazaar, providing an opportunity for ideas, deals, and collaborations to take flight.

IFFI 2025 also coincides with 50 years of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) of India.

Being staged against Goa’s stunning coastal backdrop, IFFI 2025 will conclude on November 28.