China Renames 30 Places in Arunachal Pradesh in 4th List
In what is seen as a bid to assert its claim on Arunachal Pradesh, China renamed 30 places along the line of actual control (LAC) in India's north-eastern state. The Chinese ministry of civil affairs, responsible for the establishment and naming of administrative divisions, released the fourth list of "standardised" geographical names in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing calls Zangnan.
The list of places renamed by China includes 11 residential areas, 12 mountains, four rivers, one lake, one mountain pass and a piece of land. The names have Chinese characters, Tibetan and pinyin, the Roman alphabet version of Mandarin Chinese.
NTPC Shuts Down Operations of 220 MW Barauni Stage-I Project Permanently
State-owned power giant NTPC closed down its Barauni Thermal Power Station, in Begusarai district, Bihar, Stage-I of 220 MW permanently.
NTPC is India's largest power utility with a total installed capacity of 75,418 MW (including JVs).
Operation of NTPC Barauni Thermal Power Station Stage-I (2x110 MW) comprising of two Units (Unit 6 & 7) of 110 MW each (along with all Auxiliary systems except CHP, Switchyard, Ash Dyke and Township) were permanently discontinued, w.e.f. 31st March, 2024.
Established in 1975, NTPC aims to become a 130 GW firm by 2032.
RBI to Set up Digital India Trust Agency to Check Illegal Lending Apps
As part of its efforts to curb growing cyber fraud, the Reserve Bank is considering establishing a Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) to stop the mushrooming of illegal lending apps.
The proposed agency will enable verification of digital lending apps and maintain a public register of verified apps.
Apps not carrying the 'verified' signature of DIGITA should be considered unauthorised for the purpose of law enforcement, sources said, adding that this will serve as a pivotal checkpoint in the fight against financial crimes in the digital realm.
DIGITA, once in place, would be entrusted with the responsibility of vetting digital lending apps.
SIA-India and ABRASAT Sign MoU to Boost Space Sector Advancements
The SatCom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) and ABRASAT, the Brazilian Satellite Communications Association, joined forces to propel advancements in the space sector. This strategic partnership aims to foster collaboration and drive innovative ventures and technological cooperation between India and Brazil.
The MoU facilitates collaboration in satellite communication, rocket and satellite launches, payload development, satellite platforms, and ground instrumentation.
It aims to strengthen business expansion and cooperation between India and Brazil in various sectors, enabling seamless regional and global connectivity.
Continuing their fine run this year, the 44-year-old Bopanna and Ebden fought back from a set down to pull off an exhilarating 6-7(3), 6-3, 10-6 win over Crotia's Ivan Dodig and American Austin Krajicek at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Ace Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna rewrote his own record to continue to be the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion as he and his Australian partner Matt Ebden clinched the men's doubles crown at the Miami Open.
With the win, Bopanna surpassed his record created last year when he won the Indian Wells title at the age of 43, and also reclaimed the top spot in the doubles ranking.
Babar Azam Replaces Shaheen Shah Afridi as Pakistan's White-ball Captain
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi appointed Babar Azam as Pakistan's captain in the white-ball (ODIs and T20Is) replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Shaheen was named T20 captain after the World Cup in India in November 2023 when Zaka Ashraf was heading the PCB.
Italian Jannik Sinner Beats Grigor Dimitrov to Win Miami Open
Jannik Sinner dominated Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 6-1 and won the Miami Open for the first time.
Australian Open champion Sinner, who scooped a second Masters 1000 title following his success in Canada last year, has won 25 of his last 26 matches and has only lost three times since last year's U.S. Open.
Rajnath Singh to Head BJP's 27-member Manifesto Panel
The BJP constituted its 27-member election manifesto committee under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the Lok Sabha elections.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was named the convener of the committee and Union Minister Piyush Goyal is the co-convener.
Some of the other members of the committee include Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
The manifesto-preparation exercise will incorporate suggestions from people online and also via the party's offline outreach to voters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced some time ago. The BJP is already in the process of seeking suggestions from different groups and its national president J. P. Nadda had last month flagged off 'Viksit Bharat Modi ki Guarantee' video vans, which are meant to travel across the country to collect people's inputs on the contents of its manifesto.
RLD Vice President Shahid Siddiqui Resigns from Party over Alliance with BJP
Shahid Siddiqui, the national vice president of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), tendered his resignation from the party over Jayant Chaudhary's joining hands with the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The RLD joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and declared its candidates for two seats in Uttar Pradesh for the coming Lok Sabha elections. In the 2014 Parliamentary polls, the RLD fought in alliance with the Congress and in 2019, it fought in alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Veteran Hollywood actor Barbara Rush died in Los Angeles at the age of 97.
Rush was known for her roles in 'It Came from Outer Space' and 'Peyton Place'. The news of her death was shared by her daughter and Fox News Channel correspondent, Claudia Cowan. "My wonderful mother passed away peacefully. It's fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favourite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family", she told Fox News Digital.
Rush won a Golden Globe Award in 1954 for the most promising newcomer in 'It Came from Outer Space'. Her career spanned across seven decades and has appeared in numerous films and television shows. She featured alongside actors such as Paul Newman, Rock Hudson, Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra and Richard Burton.
Barbara Rush garnered increased recognition following her role in the critically acclaimed 1956 drama 'Bigger Than Life', where she starred opposite James Mason.
On April 1, Odisha Day, or Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated to commemorate the formation of the state of Odisha. The occasion is joyously celebrated throughout the state, with individuals adorning their homes and public spaces with flags, banners and flowers in the colours of the state flag, symbolising the vibrant culture and heritage of Odisha.
Utkal Divas is not just a celebration of Odisha's formation but also a celebration of its rich heritage and culture. From traditional Odia recipes, folk music, dances, paintings to tourist attractions, the state holds immense cultural wealth and Utkal Divas is a wonderful event to pay tribute and experience all that the state has to offer.
The state of Odisha got its own identity as a separate state in the year 1936, after disassociating itself from Bihar and Bengal.
Prevention of Blindness Week 2024
Prevention of Blindness Week 2024 is celebrated by Centre from April 1 to 7 to make people aware of their eyes. Throughout the week people get education related to health care and eye care.
Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur founded the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness in 1960 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. It is an entirely voluntary organisation that accepts donations and contributions and actively collaborates with Sight Savers, Rotary International and other significant companies.
Notably, India was also the first country to seek a subsidised loan from the World Bank's International Development Agency to eradicate blindness.
Vijay Jain, the Managing Director of Star Estate, was awarded the prestigious Times Power Icon 2024 Award at an event organised by the Times Group. The event celebrated and honoured top industry leaders, gracing the occasion with the presence of industry leaders and celebrities, including Cine icon Ada Sharma, who presented the award to Vijay Jain.
The Times Power Icon 2024 Award acknowledged and celebrated Vijay Jain's visionary leadership and outstanding achievements in the real estate sector.
New Rs. 500 crore Scheme to Promote Electric Mobility Kicks Off
The new Rs. 500 crore scheme to promote electric mobility in India came into force and will continue till the end of July 2024. Meanwhile, the second phase of FAME, or Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-II) programme, ended on March 31, 2024.
Subsidies under the FAME scheme were eligible for e-vehicles sold till March 31, or till the time funds are available.
The Rs. 500 crore Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024) scheme is has been introduced by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to further accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.
Under EMPS 2024, a support of up to Rs. 10,000 per two-wheeler will be provided. The aim is to provide support for about 3.33 lakh two-wheelers.
The EMPS 2024 is a fund-limited scheme with a total outlay of Rs. 500 crore for four months – from April 1, 2024 till July 31, 2024 – for faster adoption of electric two-wheeler (e-2W) and three-wheeler (e-3W) to provide further impetus to the green mobility and development of EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
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