NATO countries refused to police a no-fly zone over Ukraine, warning that such a move could provoke widespread war in Europe with nuclear power Russia.
Under a collective security guarantee binding NATO's 30 member countries Article 5 of its founding treaty all allies must come to the defense of an ally if it finds itself under attack. Any shooting down of a NATO warplane by Russia could trigger that clause.
The only way to implement a no-fly zone is to send NATO fighter planes into Ukrainian airspace, and then impose that no-fly zone by shooting down Russian planes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed for the West to enforce a no-fly zone over his country.
Pakistan Remains on FATF's Grey List
The global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF retained Pakistan on its terrorism financing "grey list" and asked Islamabad to address at the earliest the remaining deficiencies in its financial system.
Pakistan has been on the grey list of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) since June 2018 for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing, and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019.
Since then, the country continues to be on that list due to its failure to comply with the FATF mandates. The plenary in March 2022 decided against existing Pakistan from the category despite the country meeting 32 out of 34 action points.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced no new tax proposal and increased the old-age pension to Rs. 1,500 per month while bringing down the age limit to 60 years in the Rs. 51,365-crore budget for 2022-23 presented in the Assembly.
The budget focuses on social security and the poor, the Chief Minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, said after the presentation of the budget.
Sachin Bansal-backed Navi MF Appoints Hari Shyamsunder as CEO
Sachin Bansal-backed Navi Mutual Fund (MF) appointed Hari Shyamsunder as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund house. He took over from Saurabh Jain who resigned from his current role in February 2022.
Jain would be moving to another role within the Navi Group where he would lead a new business vertical. Jain is also part of Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) advisory committee on MFs.
Navi MF largely focused on offering low-cost passive funds in the last few months. Navi MF had acquired assets of Essel MF in 2021.
Reliance Industries Opens Country's Largest Business, Commerce Hub in Mumbai
Reliance Industries (RIL) announced the opening of the country's largest business, commerce and cultural destination — the Jio World Centre — spread across 18.5 acres at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.
The initial launches are the Dhirubhai Ambani Square, the musical Fountain of Joy and The Jio World Convention Centre. The Jio World Centre will have a phase-wise opening over the course of the current and the next year.
The Jio World Centre will include a cultural centre, a musical fountain, an upscale retail experience, a curated selection of cafés and fine dining restaurants, serviced apartments and offices, and the convention facility.
Indian Railway Turns Self-reliant: Tests Collision Preventing System 'Kavach'
The Indian railway, after years of systematic planning and rounds of track-based trials, has turned self-reliant in preventing head-on collision even when two trains, either out of a possible human error or an abrupt technical failure, come running on the same track.
The railway has set off the successful trial and testing of indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), called 'Kavach'.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Chairman of Railway Board and ministry officials, attended a live successful demonstration of an error-free functioning of indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), 'Kavach'.
The "Kavach" technology applies the brakes automatically soon after spotting another train coming from the opposite direction on the same track and stops the train at a safe distance.
As a SIL-4 certified technology, "It also halts the train soon after it jumps the red signal or controls the speed after the train goes beyond the prescribed speed limit.
India's Largest EV Charging Station for 4 Wheelers Opens in Gurugram
India's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging station with a capacity of 121 charging points for 4 wheelers, was opened in Sector 86 of Gurugram.
With this EV station, the city has now two of the largest electric vehicle charging stations in the country.
The first EV station was opened earlier in January with a capacity of 100 charging points for 4 wheelers in Sector 52 of Gurugram.
Alektrify Private Limited has developed the new EV charging station under the Ease of Doing Business program.
Ravi Shastri Launches Cricket Academy in Hyderabad
Former Indian Cricket Team captain and coach Ravi Shastri launched Coaching Beyond, a cricket academy in Hyderabad. Shastri launched the academy along with Bharat Arun and R. Sridhar.
Shastri also inaugurated St John's Sports Foundation at the launching event of the cricket academy.
Shastri said that at Coaching Beyond, we are committed to making the youth sports experience positive and enriching for all our trainees. We would want to make sports a part of their life, whether they pursue it professionally or otherwise.
Mithali Raj Becomes 1st Woman Cricketer to Appear at 6 Cricket World Cups
Indian women's cricket team skipper Mithali Raj on Sunday became the first woman, and only the third cricketer ever, to appear at six ICC Women's Cricket World Cups.
Mithali ensured the record enters a new decade -- former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad appeared in the first six Men's Cricket World Cups between 1975 and 1996 with Sachin Tendulkar beginning his World Cup career in 1992.
As skipper the records keep coming, the right-hander now equals Australian legend Belinda Clark by captaining at her fourth ICC Women's World Cup -- Clark's tenure spanned from 1993 to 2005.
Commerce Secretaries of India and Bangladesh agreed on a number of measures to increase trade by the Railways. They also discussed the issue of joint study on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, improving "border haats" and harmonising standards, said a news release. The Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and Bangladesh team Senior Secretary in the Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh.
Aman Lekhi Quits as Additional SG
Senior advocate Aman Lekhi resigned from the post of Additional Solicitor General of India with immediate effect without assigning any specific reason.
Lekhi was appointed to the post in March 2018 and was re-appointed on July 1, 2020, for a period of three years till June 30 next year. He has appeared in various important criminal matters in the Supreme Court as well as in various high courts, including coal block allocation scam and 2G spectrum allocation scam cases.
Delhi HC Chief Justice Patel to Head Telecom Disputes Tribunal
Days before his retirement, the Centre appointed Delhi High Court Chief Justice D. N. Patel as chairperson of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). Justice Patel retires as Chief Justice of the High Court on March 12.
Justice Patel, who hails from Gujarat, was appointed as a judge in March 2004. He was made Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in June 2019. He was earlier the Acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.
Justice Patel would hold the post of TDSAT Chairman for a period of four years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.
The Defence Expo 2022, which was proposed to be held in Gujarat's Gandhinagar from March 10-March 14, was postponed. The announcement came at a time when the Russia-Ukraine conflict is escalating.
The 12th edition of the prestigious biennial defence exhibition was postponed due to logistics problems being experienced by participants.
India Pitches with France to Become Rafale Maintenance Hub
India pitched with France to become a hub for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for Rafale fighter jets.
This came even as last month Indonesia entered into a deal with France to buy 42 Rafale Jets and UAE signed a deal to buy 80 of the fighter jets In December 2021.
The Indian proposal came amid the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat policy under which local manufacturing of defence equipment has been the focus. During the visit of French Defence Minister Florence Parly, both sides had discussed joint manufacture of aero engines in India.
Former Indian Army Chief Gen SF Rodrigues (retd) died at the age of 88 at his home in Alto Porvorim, Goa.
He was the Chief of the Indian Army from 1990 to 1993. He was appointed the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh in November 2004, and remained in office till 2010.
In addition to his more than 40 years in the Indian Army, he served two terms on the National Security Advisory (NSA) Board.
Mukul Arya, India's Representative in Palestine Passes Away
Mukul Arya, India's representative at Ramallah in Palestine, passed away.
Palestinian leadership also expressed shock at the death of Mukul Arya at his workplace.
Arya, a career diplomat, served at the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, in addition to serving at the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO in Paris and at the Embassies of India in Kabul and Moscow.
He was raised and educated in Delhi, studied Economics at Delhi University and JNU, before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 2008.
The Jan Aushadhi Diwas is celebrated on March 7, 2022 by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI). The day is observed to spread awareness about the usages of generic medicines and the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The theme of the Janaushadhi Diwas 2022 was "Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi".
On this occasion, Doctors, Health Workers, Nurses, Pharmacists, and Jan Aushadhi Mitra will discuss the Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by March 2025.
Janaushadhi Kendras is the world's biggest retail pharma chain having around 6,200 outlets in 700 districts of the country. It also provides a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. The first Jan Aushadhi Diwas was celebrated on 7th of March 2019.
NMCG Awarded 'Special Jury Award' for Ganga Rejuvenation
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was awarded the 'Special Jury Award' at the 7th India Industry Water Conclave and the 9th edition of the FICCI Water Awards. NMCG was awarded for its effort in reviving River Ganga and bringing about a paradigm shift in water management. The 9th edition of the FICCI Water Awards were organised at the FICCI's 7th India Industry Water Conclave, held virtually on March 02 and 03, 2022.
The Citation underlines the complexity of the task of rejuvenation of the entire Ganga basin and the importance of engaging with diverse stakeholders particularly the people-river connect which forms the basis of NMCG's approach to the challenging task. G. Asok Kumar was appointed as the new Director-General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
It is a registered society under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, to take measures for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in river Ganga and to ensure continuous adequate flow of water so as to rejuvenate the river Ganga.
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It acted as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986. NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from October 7, 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council). National Mission for Clean Ganga, endeavours to deploy the best available knowledge and resources across the world for Ganga rejuvenation. Clean Ganga has been a perennial attraction for many international countries that have expertise in river rejuvenation.
The vision for Ganga Rejuvenation under NMCG, constitutes restoring the wholesomeness of the river defied in terms of ensuring "Aviral Dhara" (Continuous Flow), "Nirmal Dhara"(Unpolluted Flow), Geologic and ecological integrity.
NMC Allows Foreign Medical Graduates to Complete Internship in India
Amid concerns over the fate of foreign medical graduates (FMGs), who have returned to India from Ukraine, the National Medical Commission (NMC) allowed them to complete their internship or practical training in Indian medical colleges.
Allowing FMGs to pursue their internship in India, NMC stated that those foreign medical graduates who did not fall under NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations were governed by provisions under the erstwhile Indian Medical Council Act 1956. The provisions of sub-section (3) of section 13 of IMC Act required such FMGs to complete internship in India if they have not undergone any practical training in the foreign country where they were studying.
NMC has now asked state medical councils to process completion of internship of these candidates provided they have cleared the foreign medical graduate examination (FMGE). NMC has also directed the state councils to ensure that no fee was charged by medical colleges from the FMGs for permitting them to do their internship even as the stipend and other facilities to these candidates were to be equivalent to Indian counterparts being trained at government medical colleges.
IIT Roorkee and ARIES ink MoU to Enable Students Participate in Joint PhDs
As a result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) and Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR), students of ARIES will be able to participate in joint PhD programmes soon, whereas, the students of IIT Roorkee will be able to do projects on the ongoing activities at ARIES by using several existing and upcoming facilities at ARIES. The MoU was signed for academic cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The Kaliyattam festival is an annual Theyyam festival held in the temples in Kerala's Malabar region.
Theyyam is the name of a grand dance festival that is held in different parts of Kerala, including Kasargod.
Theyyam consists of thousand-year-old rituals, traditions, and customs. The people of these districts where this festival is celebrated consider Theyyam as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings.
There are around 456 different varieties of Theyyam. Males perform Theyyam, with the exception of the Devakoothu Theyyam, which is the only Theyyam ritual done by women. It can only be seen at the Thekkumbad Kulom temple.
In the North Malabar region of Kerala, Theyyam is performed. The North Malabar region consists of present-day Kannur Districts, Kasargod, Vadakara and Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode and Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad.
PM Modi Unveils RK Laxman Museum
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated R.K. Laxman Art Gallery-Museum' at Balewadi, Pune, dedicated to the legendary cartoonist who passed away in January 2015. and also inaugurated the new Pune Metro Rail Project.
The museum highlight is a miniature model based on the fictional village of Malgudi which will be made alive through the audio-visual effect. Cartoons with the famed 'You Said It' logo, drawn by Laxman would be showcased here.
Telangana Government to Turn Ramappa Temple to Spiritual Tourism Hub Following UNESCO Tag
Months after Telangana's Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple, popularly known as Ramappa temple, made it to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Sites, the Telangana government is looking to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the development of the thirteenth-century temple and premises into a spiritual tourism hub.
Following the global recognition, the temple, located at Palampet in Mulugu district, has been selected for development under the Union tourism ministry's 'Prasad' (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme. After the state government submitted its project concept for the proposed development, a team led by the director-general of the tourism ministry G. Kamala Vardhana Rao visited the temple to understand the proposal and shared their inputs.
Skyview By Empyrean in Patnitop Becomes India's First Sustainable Tourism Destination
Skyview By Empyrean, Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir, became India's first Sustainable Tourism Destination, as certified by the Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) for complying with the Union Ministry of Tourism's sustainable and responsible tourism standards for travel destinations.
It was also conferred 'Champion' status, accorded for scores of 90-plus for sustainable eco-friendly tourism practices.
Patnitop is a hilltop tourist destination situated in Udhampur district on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Situated on a plateau in the Shivalik belt, Patnitop has an altitude of 2,024 m, with the Chenab flowing in close proximity.
The Skyview Patnitop ropeway, the largest Indo-French collaboration in mountain infrastructure, was built in a record 2.4 years under the Public-Private Partnership model. Having started operations in July 2020, it was awarded the best adventure tourism destination within a month. The ropeway has cut travel time between Sanget and Patnitop to 15 minutes from 1.5 hours.
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