Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Joins Global Maritime Leaders at Singapore Maritime Week (SMW)
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal joined Global Maritime Leaders at the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) to discuss, deliberate and devise strategies based on the shared vision for a secure, sustainable and prosperous maritime future. The Minister highlighted the challenges and India's vision to channel growth of the maritime sector around that. Sonowal also argued for strengthening maritime connectivity and supply chains while the need for collective effort towards a green sustainable maritime future.
The theme for the Singapore Maritime Week being held from March 24 to 28, 2025, 'Actions Meet Ambition', is a show of collective desire for actions to push for higher ambition in decarbonisation and digitalisation in the maritime sector.
Government Notifies Revisions to MSME Investment and Turnover Criteria: Effective April 1, 2025
The Government of India announced a major revision in the investment and turnover criteria for the classification of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The changes, which will take effect from April 1, 2025, are aimed at enhancing business opportunities and providing greater financial flexibility to MSMEs. Under the revised criteria, investment limits were increased by 2.5 times, and turnover limits were doubled, as per the announcement made by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Union Budget 2025. These revisions will allow larger businesses to qualify as MSMEs, facilitating better access to credit, government incentives, and support schemes.
U.S., U.K. Replace Gulf Nations as Top Source of Remittances into India: RBI Bulletin
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlighted a significant shift in the source of inward remittances to India, with developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom surpassing Gulf countries as the top contributors. According to the RBI's paper, "Changing Dynamics of India's Remittances – Insights from the Sixth Round of India's Remittances Survey," published in its March bulletin, remittances from the U.S. and U.K. nearly doubled, accounting for 40% of total inflows in FY24, compared to 26% in FY17. This increase is attributed to the growing presence of Indian professionals and students in these countries, while contributions from traditional sources like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have declined.
Bharati Airtel's Gopal Vittal Elected as GSMA Chairman
Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, was elected as the Chairman of the Board of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). He is the second Indian to hold this prestigious position after Sunil Mittal. Vittal's tenure will run until the end of 2026. GSMA represents the global telecommunications industry, bringing together over 1,100 companies from the telecom ecosystem worldwide.
WFI Chief Sanjay Singh Elected UWW-Asia Bureau Member
Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh was elected as a member of the United World Wrestling-Asia bureau in the UWW general assembly in Amman, Jordan. The election took place a day before the Asian Championships set to take place in the city.
According to a release by the Wrestling Federation of India, Singh won 28 out of 38 votes.
BCCI Central Contract List for Senior Women's 2024-25 Season
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the central contract list for the Indian Women's cricket team. The list included captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma in the highest annual retainer category of Rs. 50 lakh — Grade A.
The Grade B retainer list, where players will get Rs. 30 lakh, saw left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad dropped. Middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues, pacer Renuka Thakur, wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh, and opener Shafali Verma all remain in this bracket.
Emerging fast bowler Titas Sadhu, all-rounders Shreyanka Patil, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, and wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry have been awarded their maiden central contracts for the 2024-25 season by the BCCI, all placed in the Grade C category.
PT Usha Inaugurates National Maritime Games 2025 in Navi Mumbai
In a momentous celebration of athletic excellence and maritime unity, P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association and Member of Parliament, inaugurated the National Maritime Games 2025 at IMU, Palm Beach Road, Navi Mumbai.
The grand opening ceremony was graced by an eminent gathering of leaders from the maritime and sporting fraternity.
The National Maritime Games 2025 features over 20 sporting events including Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis, Badminton, Carrom, Cricket, Chess, Golf, Futsal, Pickleball and Indoor Rowing, and continues to be a vibrant platform promoting fitness, sportsmanship and unity across India's maritime community.
The competitions are being held from March 24 to April 4.
Kerala Becomes First Indian State to Establish Senior Citizens Commission
Kerala became the first state in India to pass a law creating a commission for senior citizens, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Hailing the law enacted, the Chief Minister said that this new commission would focus on protecting the rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of the elderly.
The commission will prioritise addressing the hardships faced by the elderly, including neglect, exploitation, and loneliness. It will be responsible for providing the necessary guidelines to tackle these issues.
Additionally, the commission will take the lead in implementing initiatives to utilise the skills of senior citizens for the benefit of society.
Assam Rifles Celebrates 190 Years of Glorious Service
Assam Rifles, India's oldest and most prestigious paramilitary force, proudly celebrated its 190th Raising Day on March 24 at its headquarters in Shillong. This monumental milestone marked nearly two centuries of unwavering dedication, valour, and commitment to safeguarding India's borders.
Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles, led the homage ceremony at the War Memorial in Shillong, honouring the brave hearts who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Gen. Lakhera also addressed the gathering, praising the force's outstanding contributions in combating insurgency in the Northeast and Kashmir.
The ceremony's highlight was the presentation of the prestigious DGAR Banner for 2023-24 to top-performing units. 4 Assam Rifles emerged as the winner of the coveted banner, while 3 Assam Rifles and 36 Assam Rifles were awarded the first and second runners-up positions, respectively.
India's Second Stealth Frigate Tavasya
India marked a significant milestone in its indigenous naval shipbuilding program, with the launch of 'Tavasya', the second stealth frigate under the Project 1135.6 Additional Follow-on Ships. The ceremony took place at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The ship was ceremonially launched by Mrs. Neeta Seth in a traditional naval ritual, and the event was attended by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Indian Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, which is responsible for India's maritime security along the western seaboard.
Project 1135.6, also known as the Talwar-class frigate program, originates from the Russian Krivak III-class design and is the result of Indo-Russian naval cooperation.
Supersox Welcomes Bollywood Superstar Kartik Aaryan as their Brand Ambassador
Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan joined forces with Supersox, India's leading premium socks brand as their brand ambassador. With his irresistible charm, versatile acting, and effortless sense of style, Kartik perfectly embodies the spirit of Supersox, which blends fashion, innovation, and comfort.
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members
The United Nations observes the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members on March 25 every year to honour the memory of Alec Collett, a journalist who died while on a UN mission after being kidnapped.
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members was first observed by the United Nations (UN) in 1993. The day was created to recognise the work of UN personnel who have been detained, kidnapped, or have gone missing while carrying out their duties on behalf of the UN. The date, March 25th, was chosen to commemorate the abduction of Alec Collett, a former journalist and UN staff member who was kidnapped in 1985 while on assignment for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Collett was held captive for over six years before his death in 1991.
Amruta Fadnavis Honours Trailblazing Women at Mid-Day Power Woman Awards 2025
The Mid-Day Power Woman Awards 2025 in Mumbai was dedicated to celebrating extraordinary women who have made an indelible mark in cinema, music, literature, business, and social impact. The event saw Amruta Fadnavis honouring the remarkable achievers.
The prestigious awardees included Bhagyashree, Lalita Goenka, Eram Faridi, Divya Dutta, Krishna Shroff, Chhaya Kadam, Shweta Tripathi, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi & Kaveri Kapur, Dr. Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, Sadia Khatib, Yamini Malhotra, Sara Afreen Khan, and Veena Girish Wankhede, each recognized for their pioneering contributions to their respective fields.
Among the honorees, Eram Faridi was bestowed with the Powerful Women Iconic Producer-Filmmaker Award for her compelling films Meet Chang, Fedora's Wrinkles, and Naina, while Lalita Goenka was celebrated as the Most Powerful Women Iconic Lyricist for her soul-stirring album Hairat.
IIT Bombay Launches e-PG Diploma in Computer Science and Engineering
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay announced the launch of its e-Postgraduate Diploma (ePGD) in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), an online program designed to enhance the technical expertise of professionals and graduates in the field.
This ePGD has an in-depth curriculum comprising six courses, covering areas such as Advanced Programming, Computing Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML). This ePGD will culminate with a graduation ceremony on campus, where alumni status will be conferred upon candidates successfully completing the course.
Operations Kayakalp, Student-Teacher Ratio: UP Govt's Education Plan
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure that no school in the state is without teachers. Chairing a review meeting of the Basic Education Department at his official residence in Lucknow, Adityanath said that the government's treasury is the public's money, and the government has no shortage of funds for quality education.
Emphasising the need to improve the teacher-student ratio in all districts and development blocks, he asserted that the government is committed to ensuring quality education for children under all circumstances and to achieve this, the state government is implementing Operation Kayakalp with inter-departmental coordination, focusing on 19 key parameters.
Georgia National University to Set up Varsity in Andhra
Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh said that Georgia National University (GNU) has signed an agreement with the state government to establish a varsity in North Andhra region at an outlay of Rs. 1,300 crore.
The Education Minister highlighted that this partnership would elevate education standards to a global level, calling it a "big leap" for higher education in the state.
Uttarakhand Government Plans Ganga and Sharda River Corridors to Boost Religious Tourism
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the development of corridors along the Ganga and Sharda Rivers to enhance religious tourism in the state. The initiative aims to improve infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims while preserving the state's cultural and spiritual heritage.
The rivers Ganga and Sharda hold immense religious, cultural, and spiritual importance for millions of devotees across India. These rivers are not only crucial for daily life but also symbolise the faith and devotion of crores of people. Uttarakhand, often referred to as 'Devbhoomi' (Land of the Gods), is home to several sacred sites, making the development of river corridors a crucial step in promoting spiritual tourism.
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