India Climbs 6 Places on World Bank's Logistic Performance Index
India climbed six places on the World Bank's Logistic Performance Index (LPI) 2023, now ranking 38th in the 139 countries index, as a result of significant investments in both soft and hard infrastructure as well as technology.
India was ranked 44th on the index in 2018 and has now climbed to 38th in the 2023 listing. India's performance drastically improved from 2014, when it was ranked 54th on the LPI.
Oliver Dowden Named UK Deputy PM
The British government named Oliver Dowden deputy prime minister, replacing Dominic Raab who resigned following a report into claims he bullied colleagues.
As deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab had no formal powers but stepped in for the prime minister if he was away from parliament or incapacitated.
Lawmaker Alex Chalk was appointed new Justice Minister, a position which was previously held by Raab.
Indian-American Radha Iyengar Plumb Becomes US's Deputy under Secretary of Defence
The US Senate confirmed Radha Iyengar Plumb, a national security expert, as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment, the latest Indian-American to be named by the Biden administration for a key position.
President Joe Biden had nominated Radha Iyengar Plumb, currently serving as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Defence, to this prestigious position in June 2022.
By a vote of 68-30, the Senate confirmed Radha Iyengar Plumb to be the Deputy Under Secretary of Defence.
Shantanu Roy was recommended as the next Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Limited, a Miniratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence. The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel selected him for the position from a list of three candidates, all of whom were from BEML Limited. Roy is presently serving as Director (Mining & Construction Business) in the same organization and has over 30 years of extensive experience in capital goods sectors for defense, mining & construction, transportation, transmission, renewable, and large power projects.
Jack Dorsey Launches Twitter Alternative 'Bluesky' On Android
Twitter's co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jack Dorsey launched a new application called 'Bluesky' on Android, which will serve as an alternative to the microblogging platform now owned by Elon Musk.
According to the app's website, the "social internet" of the future will give users more options and creators "independence from platforms". However, the app is still under development and may only be accessed with an invite code.
Using financing from Twitter, Mr. Dorsey started developing Bluesky as a side project in 2019. In late February, it was first rolled out to iOS users.
ISRO's PSLV-C55 Successfully Places Two Singaporean Satellites into Orbit
Indian Space Research Organisations (ISRO) successfully launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C55 (PSLV-C55) mission carrying two Singaporean satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday afternoon. PSLV-C55 is a dedicated commercial PSLV mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which is the commercial arm of ISRO, for an international satellite customer.
In a tweet, the ISRO said, in a textbook launch, the vehicle placed Singapore's TeLEOS-2 as the primary satellite and LUMELITE-4 as a co-passenger satellite precisely into their intended 586 km circular orbit.
It is the 57th flight of PSLV, and the 16th mission of the PSLV Core Alone configuration (PSLV-CA)variant. This is the lightest version of PSLV.
Centre launched over 250 network towers to provide 4G mobile connectivity in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday. The 254 towers will provide 4G coverage in uncovered villages of the state, thereby bringing digital connectivity to 336 villages, including several areas which have remained unconnected since Independence. Over 70 thousand subscribers are expected to be benefitted from the service.
Centre Launches over 250 Network Towers in Border Areas of Arunachal
Addressing media in New Delhi after the launch of the mobile towers through video conferencing, Union Minister for Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid great emphasis on the development of the Northeast and the launch of the 4G mobile towers in the villages near border areas of the State is a step in this direction.
Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and others were also present on the occasion.
Jyothi Surekha Vennam Clinches Two Gold Medals at Archery World Cup
India won two gold medals, one each in the mixed team event and women's individual Compound, at the Archery World Cup 2023 Stage 1 in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday.
Indian mixed team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Ojas Pravin Deotale outclassed Chen Yi Hsuan and Chem Chieh Lun of Chinese Taipei 159-154 to win the mixed team gold.
The second gold came in the women's individual Compound event after Jyothi Surekha Vennam defeated Sara Lopez of Columbia 149-146.
Swiatek Beats Sabalenka in Straight Sets to Win Stuttgart Title
Poland's Iga Swiatek poses with a trophy after winning against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the WTA women's singles final match at Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany.
World number one Iga Swiatek cruised past Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 to win the Stuttgart Open on Sunday in a repeat of last year's final to confirm her status as a French Open favourite.
The Pole, back from injury and gearing up for her French Open title defence next month, and world number two Sabalenka traded powerful baseline blows before Swiatek earned a second breakpoint at 4-3.
She whipped a superb forehand down the line to go 5-3 up before easily holding serve to clinch the first set on her second set point.
Alcaraz Beats Tsitsipas to Clinch Back-to-back Barcelona Titles
World number two Carlos Alcaraz beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 to win the Barcelona Open and clinch his third ATP Tour title of the year and the ninth overall for the 19-year-old.
Alcaraz, who had an injury-plagued start to the season and was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of his last tournament, the Miami Open, won in Barcelona for the second consecutive year, taking the title without losing a set.
The Spanish teenager beat world number five and second seed Tsitsipas with the same ease that he dispatched every other opponent in Barcelona this week.
Alcaraz, who in December became the youngest year-end world number one since the ATP rankings began, was close to perfection on Sunday and gave a masterclass as he won in less than 80 minutes.
Asia-Pacific Leaders' Conclave on Malaria Elimination Commences
The Asia-Pacific Leaders' Conclave on Malaria Elimination was held in New Delhi. This conclave, hosted by the Government of India in partnership with the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), aimed to bring together leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss and strategize on ways to eliminate malaria in the region. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, presided over the conclave.
The Asia-Pacific Leaders' Conclave on Malaria Elimination was an important step towards addressing this challenge. The conclave provided a platform for leaders from across the region to share their experiences, insights and best practices on malaria elimination. It also served as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and collaborations between countries in the region, as well as with international organizations, towards the common goal of eliminating malaria.
First-ever Waterbody Census: West Bengal Tops List among States, Sikkim at the Bottom
West Bengal has the highest number of water bodies in India whereas Sikkim has the least number of water bodies, the first Census of Water Bodies by the Ministry of Jal Shakti revealed. This census is in convergence with the 6th Minor Irrigation (MI) Census under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme "Irrigation Census" launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
West Bengal houses the highest 7.47 lakh water bodies whereas Sikkim has the least number of water bodies with only 134, according to the survey.
The census aims to create a national database of all water bodies in the country by collecting information on their size, condition, encroachment status, storage capacity, and other important aspects. The census covered both rural and urban areas and captured photographs of water bodies using a mobile app developed for the purpose.
Kerala Launches 'One Panchayat, One Playground' to Revive Sports Culture
The Kerala government launched a project for reviving the sports culture in the State by opening quality playgrounds in every panchayat of the southern state.
The 'One Panchayat, One Playground' project was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Kallikkad here where he said that a good sports culture was essential for building a healthy and happy society.
The playgrounds would serve as a hub of local gatherings and social interactions. "It is with this goal in mind that the 'One Panchayat, One Playground' project has been devised.
The project will address the lack of quality playgrounds in around 450 local bodies in the State.
Within three years, the playgrounds will be built and for the first phase of the project, a list of 113 panchayats has been prepared.
India Successfully Tests Sea-based Ballistic Missile Interceptor, Joins Elite Club
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal. As per the defense ministry, the purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat, thereby elevating the country into the elite club of nations having Naval Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability.
Prior to this, DRDO has successfully demonstrated land-based BMD system with capability to neutralize ballistic missile threats, emerging from adversaries.
Solar Industries to Supply UAV 'Nagastra' To Indian Army
Solar Industries Nagpur bagged an order to supply unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 'Nagastra' to the Indian Army, beating competitors from Israel and Poland. A Solar Industries official said with government's initiative to bring Atmanirbharta in ammunition and defence systems, the first indigenous Loiter Munition (LM), Nagastra-1, has been designed and developed by Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Solar Industries Nagpur, in association with Z-Motion, Bangalore.
A model of 'Nagastra -1' loitering munition was recently displayed in the Army Commanders conference held in New Delhi.
The company said that Nagastra -1 having an indigenous content of more than 75 per cent has many world class features.
It said that in a 'Kamikaze mode' it can neutralise any hostile threat with GPS enabled precision strike with an accuracy of 2 m. The fixed wing electric UAV has an endurance of 60 min with a man-in-loop range of 15 km and autonomous mode range of 30 km.
Wing Commander Deepika Misra Becomes 1st Woman IAF Officer to Get Gallantry Award
Wing Commander Deepika Misra became the first woman Air Force officer to receive a gallantry medal. President had conferred Vayu Seva Medal for gallantry on her at Independence Day last (2022) year and she received the medal from Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari at an investiture ceremony held in New Delhi in April 2023. Wing Commander Deepika Mishra was detailed to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in response to flash floods in northern Madhya Pradesh in August 2021. Braving deteriorating weather, strong winds and the near sunset time, she was the first and only respondent to reach the affected area the same evening. Her efforts helped in saving 47 lives
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh commemorated National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) on 24th April, 2023 at Rewa in Madhya Pradesh as a major event as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) – Samaaveshi Vikaas (Inclusive Development) adopting Whole-of-the-Government approach. The Prime Minister was the Chief Guest at the national function organised at Special Armed Forces Ground, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. He will address the elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as Special Gram Sabhas across the country on this momentous occasion.
The Prime Minister inaugurated an integrated e-GramSwaraj and GeM portal for public procurement at Panchayat level. The objective of eGramSwaraj–GeM Integration is to enable the Panchayats to procure their goods and services through GeM leveraging the eGramSwaraj platform. The launch of eGramSwaraj – GeM Integration at the hands of the Prime Minister will encourage Panchayats to usher in the digital revolution where they would have the access to an easy-to-use procurement and payment platform. Launch by PM Modi will encourage both the Panchayats and local sellers to adopt this initiative which in turn will help the entire buyer-seller ecosystem to flourish thereby giving a major boost to rural economy and entrepreneurship along with strengthening the Digital India Program.
Asha Bhosle Receives Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar
Legendary singer Asha Bhosle was felicitated with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar award. The family and the trust instituted the award in the memory of Lata Mangeshkar, who died on February 6, 2022, following multiple organ failure.
Bhosle, the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar, received the recognition, on the Memorial Day of their father and theatre-music veteran Deenanath Mangeshkar. This award, known as the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, is given every year to an individual who has made a path-breaking contribution towards the nation, its people and society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was its first recipient.
Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, UNCDF Team up to Make India Global Agri-tech Leader
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) jointly launched a whitepaper aimed at making India a global leader in agri-tech innovation and expanding these innovations to the least developed countries in Asia and Africa.
The whitepaper outlines the significant observations and recommendations required to tackle challenges in the agriculture sector and promote sustainable practices that support smallholder farmers across developing economies. According to the statement, agri-tech innovations will help address food security, supply chain inefficiencies, and climate change concerns.
Book Titled 'Sachin@50'- Celebrating A Maestro' by Boria Majumdar
Boria Majumdar, a renowned sports historian and popular TV show host, unveiled a new book called 'Sachin@50 – Celebrating A Maestro' on the occasion of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's 50th birthday (April 24, 2023). The book has been conceptually designed and curated by Majumdar, with a special back cover note written by Gulzar. The book covers Tendulkar's journey to success, starting from his teenage debut where he became globally recognized after his bloodied nose incident in Pakistan in 1989. It also highlights how he became the greatest batting sensation, transcending boundaries of sport.
Bureaucrat Ashish Kundra's new book 'A Resurgent Northeast: Narratives of Change' launched in New Delhi
Author, IAS officer, and senior bureaucrat Ashish Kundra's new book on the history of Northeast India and its people, 'A Resurgent Northeast: Narratives of Change', was released on April 21, 2023, at an event in New Delhi. The book was launched in the presence of Kiren Rijiju- Union Minister of Law and Justice; Hardeep Singh Puri- Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and of Housing and Urban Affairs; Pema Khandu- Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh; Amitabh Kant- G20 Sherpa, Government of India; Puneet Chattwal- MD and CEO, IHCL; and Navika Kumar- Group Editor, Times Network, along with the author and his wife Ambreen Khan, who is the Corporate Communications head at The Indian Express.
The event was embraced with the colours of Northeast as it began with an entertaining performance by the famous vocal quartet of Tetseo sisters, who traveled all the way from Nagaland for their performance.
Senior bureaucrat-author Ashish Kundra served in the Northeast for eight years, which inspired him to write this book. In 'A Resurgent Northeast: Narratives of Change', he writes about the transformational changes that are happening in the remotest parts of the Northeast and about the stories of the people of the hills.
Govt Launches Fifth Round of Regional Air Connectivity Scheme 'UDAN 5.0'
The government launched the fifth round of the regional air connectivity scheme to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas. Under UDAN 5.0, viability gap funding (VGF) will be capped at 600 kilometres stage length for both priority and non-priority areas, which was earlier capped at 500 km. Besides, no pre-determined routes would be offered. Only network and individual route proposals by airlines will be considered.
Under the fifth round of Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) or Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), the focus will be on Category-2 (20-80 seats) and Category-3 (more than 80 seats). As per reports, the earlier stage length cap of 600 kilometres is waived and there is no restriction on the distance between the origin and destination of the flight. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said this new and stronger version of the scheme will raise the momentum, connecting new routes and bring us closer to the target of operationalising 1,000 routes and 50 additional airports, heliports and water aerodromes in the near future.
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