2nd G-20 Tourism Working Group Meeting held at Siliguri in West Bengal
The Inaugural session of the 2nd Tourism Working Group Meeting under G20 hosted by the Ministry of Tourism was held at Siliguri, West Bengal. The inaugural session was addressed by Union Minister for Tourism, Culture, and DoNER Shri G. Kishan Reddy, and Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Shri John Barla. Shri Raju Bista, Member of Parliament, Darjeeling was also present in the session.
India Clinches Men's and Women's Titles of Asian Kho Kho Championship
Host India clinched both the men's and women's titles of the Asian Kho Kho Championship held at Tamulpur in Assam. In the Women's category, India Eves defeated Nepal By an inning and 33 points. The men's team too continued their brilliant form ad defeated Nepal by an inning and six points. India remained unbeaten in both categories throughout the tournament. A total of nine countries participated in the event.
India Launches New Foreign trade policy with Focus on Exports, Ease of Doing Business
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry Launched the Foreign Tade Policy 2023 on 31st March. The Policy aims to facilitate ease-of-doing business for exporters and boost exports. The policy has been formulated after multiple stakeholder consultations, and the key approach is based on four pillars, including export promotion through collaboration and emerging areas like e-commerce export. The policy document is based on the continuity of time-tested schemes facilitating exports and is nimble and responsive to the requirements of the trade. The new FTP 2023 encourages recognition of new towns through the "Towns of Export Excellence Scheme" and exporters through the "Status Holder Scheme".
India's Defence Exports Reaches All Time High of Rs 1600 Crore
India has accomplished an unprecedented record of defence exports to more than 85 countries amounting to approximately Rs 16,000 core during Fy 2022-23. To propel defence exports, the government has taken several policy initiatives and implemented reforms over the last 5-6 years. The export procedures have been simplified, made industry-friendly, and brought under the end-to-end online export authorisation, curtailing delays and boosting the ease of doing business. India, which was previously one of the biggest importers, now exports a plethora of defence products, including Brahmos Missiles, Akash Missile System, Radars, PINAKA Rockets & Launchers, LCA-Tejas, Light Combat Helicopters and Aircraft Carriers.
India's Overall Exports Touched All Time High of USD 750 Billion
Union Minister of Commerce and Shri Piyush Goyal has announced that India's overall exports, including services and merchandise exports, have surpassed US$ 750 billion, a new all-time high. The announcement comes as India celebrates the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav on its 75th year of independence Noting that India's exports were $500 billion in 2020-2021, the minister praised the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) signed by India with Australia and UAE, which have been welcomed by industry across by the three countries, and stated that a series of FTAs are under different stages of discussion to further expand India's moment in the sun, and the G20 presidency Gives a unique opportunity to position India globally, which must be leveraged by the industry and businesspersons to showcase India's business across the world.
Budgetary allocations for Vibrant Villages Programme
The Government approved the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)’, on 15.02.2023 covering 2967 villages in 46 border blocks of 19 districts in 4 States and 01 UT viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and UT of Ladakh abutting the northern border. Out of these 2967 villages, 662 villages in the aforesaid mentioned States/UT have been identified for coverage on priority.
The state/UT-wise list of 662 villages is as follows:
Arunachal Pradesh: 455
Himachal Pradesh: 75
UT of Ladakh: 35
Sikkim: 46
Uttarakhand: 51
PM Unveils Bharat 6G Vision Document and 6G R&D test Bed
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has unveiled Bharat 6G Vision Document and launched the 6G Research ad Development Test Bed. The PM unveiled the document while inaugurating the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office and Innovation Centre in India during an event in New Delhi. Highlighting that India's telecom and digital model are smooth, secure, transparent, and trusted, he said this decade is India's tech-ade. The new ITU Area Office will help in creating the right environment for 6G.
US Senate Endorse MacMohan Line as International Border
The US formally recognized the McMahon Line as the international boundary between India's Arunachal Pradesh and China and rejected Beijing's claim that the northeaster state falls under Chinese territory. A bipar¬tisan resolution, which was first introduced in the US Senate in March 2023, acknowledged Arunachal Pradesh as an 'integral part' of India and also supported India's 'sovereignty and territorial integrity'. The resolution, titled 'Reaffirming the state of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and condemning the People's Republic of China's provocations in South Asia', came after one of the biggest clashes that took place in December 2022 between Indian and Chinese forces in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
Mirabai Chanu Wins 'BBC Indian Sports-woman of the Year' Award 2022
Tokyo Olympic Games silver-medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu was honoured with the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award 2022 in March 2023 after a public vote. Born in Manipur state, in northeast India, Chanu becomes the first athlete to win the award twice in a row after winning for the year 2021. Chanu pipped wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, boxer Nikhat Zareen, and badminton player PV Sindhu in a public vote to win the coveted award for the second time. At the Tokyo Olympics, Chanu had become the first Indian to win a silver in weightlifting. Last year, she went on to secure gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She also won a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in 2022.
Gas Regulatory Board Introduces Unified Tariff under 'One Nation One Grid One Tariff'
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Has announced a major reform in the natural gas sector in India, with the aim of achieving the ambitious goal of One Nation, One Grid, and One Tariff. As part of this reform, the PNGRB has issued a notification for levelised Unified Tariffs, which come into effect from 1st April 2023. The levelised unified tariff of Rs 73.93 per MBTU (Metric Million British Thermal Unit) will be implemented as per three tariff zones in the entire gas network of the country. The first tariff zones will be reckoned up to 300 km from the gas source, the second is 300 km to 1200 km, and the third zone is beyond 1200 km from the gas source. The implementation of levelised unified Tariffs is expected to simplify the gas pricing structure in the country and promote transparency in the natural gas sector.
BEL Bags Contract for Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems 'Project Himshakti'
Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad for procurement of two integrated Electronic Warfare Systems 'Project Himshakt'at an overall cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore. the Project is under the Buy India - IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category comprising contemporary and niche technologies. 'Project Himshakti'will encourage the participation of India Electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs, which are sub-vendors of BEL It will generate employment of approximately three lakh man-days over a period of two years. The project is a significant leap forward in developing indigenous capabilities making the country 'Aatmanirbhar', in consonance with the Make-in-India initiative of the Government.
Nikhat won her second world championship title
Nikhat Zareen won her second world championship title with a 5-0 win over Nguyen Thi Tam of Vietnam. She becomes only the second Indian after the legendary MC Mary Kom to win the prestigious title twice.
Lovlina Borgohain wins maiden World Boxing Championships Gold
Lovlina Borgohain defeated Australia's Caitlin Parker in the 75 kg category final in New Delhi to win her maiden World Championships Gold medal. Lovlina confirmed India's 4th medal at the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi and all of them turned out to be Gold.
Mumbai Indians became the champions of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League
Mumbai Indians became the champions of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) after beating Delhi Capitals (DC) by seven wickets at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Sciver-Brunt stayed unbeaten on 60 off 55 with seven fours and hit the winning boundary as MI chased down the target with three balls to spare.
ISRO LVM-III Rocket Carrying 36 OneWeb Satellites Launched
The Launch Vehicle Mark-Ill (LVM-III) carrying 36 OneWeb satellites launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).In March 2022, UK-based global communication satellite provider One Web entered into an agreement with ISRO to launch One Web satellites aboard the GSLV Mk III along with the PSLV, due to the launch services from Roscosmos being cut off, caused by the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. The first launch took place on 22 October 2022, injecting 36 satellites into Low Earth Orbit. GSLV Mk-III (LVM3) is the new heavy-lift launch vehicle of ISRO for achieving a 4000 kg spacecraft launching capability to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) in a cost-effective manner.
Mumbai Indians Wins Inaugural Women's Premier League
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)-backed inaugural Women's Premier League was successfully organised in The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and in the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai from March 4 to 26, 2023 with a total of five participating teams. The WPL is the sister competition to the men’s Indian Premier League and replaces the three-team T20 Challenge Cup which was previously held in India from 2018. There were five franchises in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) representing different cities in India; Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz.
Rajasthan becomes first state to Pass Right to Health Bill in Assembly
The Rajasthan legislative assembly passed the Rajasthan Right to Health (RTH) Bill 2022 where the people of the state will be entitled to emergency care in private hospitals without any pre-payment. The bill was introduced in the assembly in September 2022 but it was sent to the select committee. According to the bill, the patient during emergency treatment such as accidents, snake or animal bites, and any other emergency decided by the state health authority will be treated without prepayment of requisite fee by public health institutions, health care establishments, and designated health care centers, qualified to provide such care or treatment accordantly to their level of health care. The requisite fees will be reimbursed by the state government if the patient is unable to pay. No healthcare provider shall delay treatment merely on the grounds of receiving police clearance or a police report.
PM launches TB-Mukt panchayat Scheme on world TB Day
Prime Miniter, Shri Narendra Modi, While addressing the 'One World TB Summit' at Varanasi on March 2023, Launched various initiatives including the TB-Mukt panchayat, the official pan-India rollout of a shorter TB Preventive Treatment (TPT), the family-centric care model for TB and also released India's Annual Tb Report 2023. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the National Centre for Disease Control & High Containment Laboratory and inaugurated the site for the Metropolitan Public Health Surveillance Unit in Varanasi. International delegates from over 30 countries were present at the summit. Meanwhile, the PM also laid the foundation stone and dedicated development projects worth more than Rs 1780 crores in Varanasi.
RINL wins the national level JCSSI Ispat Suraksha Puraskar
RINL Visakhapatnam received the national level safety Award "Ispat Suraksha Puraskar" during the annual award function held at SSO Ranchi and on 22-03-2023 organized by JCSSI. RINL Bagged four prizes in BF and Raw materials zone for the years 2020-21 and 2021-22. Maintenance and service zones bagged the Award for the year 2021-22. RINL Visakhapatnam also bagged Prestigious Award for "Zero Fatal Accident involving Contract Labour" for the year 2022.
Asian Hockey Federation Honours Hockey India with Best Organizer Award
Hockey India was awarded the Best Organiser Award by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) for the successful hosting of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela as the host nation. The award was received by Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh during the AHF Congress held in Mungyeong, Korea. The prestigious quadrennial event featuring 16 teams from across the globe was held in two world-class venues in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
India Wins Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 Against Australia; Seals Spot in World Test Championship Final
India has won the series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 as the fourth Test in Ahmedabad ended in a draw. The four Tests Border-Gavaskar Trophy also decided the teams for the World Test Championship final scheduled to be held in England in June this year. By winning the third Test in Indore, Australia secured its place in the WTC final, India's place in the final was confirmed on March 13 after Sri Lanka lost to New Zealand by two wickets in a thrilling match in Christchurch.
Gyan Chaturvedi Gets 32nd Vyas Samman for 'Pagalkhana' (Mental Asylum)
Noted Hindi writer Dr. Gyan Chaturvedi's 2018 satirical novel, Pagalkhana, was selected for the 32nd Vyas Samman for the year 2022 in March 2023. After considering the works published during 2012-21, a selection committee headed by eminent litterateur Prof Ramji Tiwari picked Dr. Chaturvedi's Pagalkhana (mental asylum) for the prestigious Vyas Samman. The 2018 satirical novel tells a poignant story of innocent common people in a heart-touching manner. Instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991, the annual Vyas Samman is given to an outstanding Hindi literary work by an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years. It carries award money of 4 lakhs.
India Launches Submarine-Killer 'Androth'
'Androth', the second of 8 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project, being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) for the Indian Navy was launched on 21 March, 2023 at M/s GRSE, Kolkata. The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered to the Indian Navy by December 2023. The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content.The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between MoD and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 29 April 2019. Arnala class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy and are designed to under¬take anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Laying operations including subsurface surveillance in littoral waters.
India stands third in world in terms of fish production
India stands third in the world in terms of fish production. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has taken several initiatives for the development of fisheries and attract farmers towards fisheries along with agriculture to increase their income through its various schemes namely (i) implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) - Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries for a period of 5 years from 2015-16 to 2019-20 (ii) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with effect from the financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories (iii) Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore implemented for a period of 5 years from 2018-19 to 2023-24 for providing concessional finance, (iv) issuance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to fishers and fish farmers.
Invest India appoints Manmeet Nanda as CMD after Deepak Bagla resigns
Invest India appointed Manmeet Nanda as its next Managing Director and CEO (CMD) after Deepak Bagla resigned. Nanda will also continue serving in her current role as Joint Secretary, DPIIT, in addition to her new role.
India's first Quantum Computing based Telecom Network Link started in Delhi
India's first quantum computing-based telecom network link has been made operational between Sanchar Bhawan and National Informatics Centre office in New Delhi. A quantum computing-based telecom network uses the principles of quantum physics to transmit information, providing a more secure method than traditional networks. Quantum communication relies on quantum mechanics properties, making it hard to intercept or hack the communication. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the telecom industry by enabling faster, more efficient, and more secure communication.
PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFP) in a virtual mode. The foundation stone for the construction of this pipeline was laid by both Prime Ministers in September 2018. Numaligarh Refinery Limited has been supplying petroleum products to Bangladesh since 2015. This is the second cross-border energy pipeline between India and its neighbours. Cooperation in the power and energy sector has become one of the hallmarks of India-Bangladesh relations. IBFP is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh with a capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) to Bangladesh. Enhanced connectivity with Bangladesh will further strengthen people-to-people linkages between the two sides.
Meghalaya gets Electric trains for the first time
Indian Railway is progressing at full throttle for becoming Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. In an endeavour for complete electrification, Northeast Frontier Railway has achieved another milestone by commissioning Dudhnai – Mendipathar (22.823 Track Kilometre) single-line section and Abhayapuri – Pancharatna (34.59 Track Kilometre) double line section. The Central Organization for Railway Electrification (CORE) has carried out the electrification works in these sections. Mendipathar is the only railway station in the northeastern state of Meghalaya that is in operation since 2014 after being inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. After the commissioning of electric traction, trains hauled by electric locomotive will now be able to operate directly from Mendipathar in Meghalaya which will increase the average speed.
Eric Garcetti appointed as the new US Ambassador to India
Eri Garcetti, the former Mayor of Los Angeles is becoming the Ambassador to India after winning a vote in the US Senate. His nomination was otherwise delayed by almost 2 years over concerns about the mishandling of a case of sexual harassment during his tenure in office. Garcetti was reportedly considered by President Joe Biden as the Ambassador to India in May 2021 and was officially announced as a nominee in July of the same year. His nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 2022.
Gianni Infantino Re-elected FIFA President
Gianni Infantino was re-elected unopposed as FIFA president during the 73rd Congress in Kigali, for another four year-term. Infantino had no opponent in the election and won by acclaim instead of a formal vote by the FIFA Congress in Kiagli, Rwanda. He was first elected to the top post of FIFA, the global football governing body in 2016.
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