Eminent Gandhian Natwar Thakkar, popularly known as 'Nagaland's Gandhi' died.
Thakkar, a Padma Shri awardee, had founded the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram at Chuchuyimlang.
His efforts to spread Gandhian philosophy and peace had earned him the sobriquet 'Nagaland's Gandhi'.
He was from Maharashtra and had made Nagaland his home ever since he had arrived in the state in 1955.
Oct 07, 2018
NGO to Build Homes
Habitat for Humanity India, an NGO, plans to build or repair 6,000 homes of those affected by the deluge in Kerala.
The initiative is being taken up by the NGO as part of the second edition of Jacqueline Builds, a unique campaign featuring Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez.
The Habitat for Humanity India is actively involved in the relief operations in Kerala. In the first phase of the relief work, the organisation provided First Responders' Kit.
NRC in Tripura
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said that he will implement the National Register of Citizens in his State if the exercise is successful in Assam.
Nirman Kusuma Programme Launched
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the 'Nirman Kusuma' programme to help the children of construction workers to get training in Industrial Training Institutes and polytechnics. Under the scheme, an ITI student will get assistance of Rs. 23,600 a year and a diploma student will get Rs. 26,300.
Oct 06, 2018
SC Dismisses Petition for Full Delhi Statehood
The Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking full statehood for Delhi saying it has become infructuous in view of the Constitution Bench verdict which had held that Delhi cannot be accorded the status of a state. The matter came up for hearing before a Bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta.
India Deals to Procure S-400 from Russia
Ignoring threat of US Sanctions, India went ahead with the deal to procure the S-400 "Triumf" air-defence missile system from Russia. India is buying S-400 air defence missile systems from Russia for around $5.4 bn (Rs. 40,000 crore approx).
S-400 is Russia's most advanced long range surface-to-air missile defence system, with a 400 km range over which its radar can track targets. It will provide India 'umbrella coverage' against air-borne threats, including nuclear missiles, stealth aircraft, jets, missiles, UAVs etc. S-400 Triumf air-defence missile system can track 300 targets, and can shot down 36 of them simultaneously.
This is the biggest ever-contract between Russia and India and the largest in the history of Rosoboronexport. Delivery is expected to begin within 24 months of signing the contract
Konkan Alphonso Gets GI Tag
The Alphonso mango from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and adjoining areas of Konkan region in Maharashtra has finally got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Called the king of mangoes, Alphonso has long been one of the world's most popular fruits and is exported to various countries including Japan, Korea and Europe.
The first product to get a GI tag in India was Darjeeling tea in 2004.
Oct 05, 2018
Government Unveils Digi Yatra
Travellers will soon be able to enter airports in the country with facial recognition biometric under the government's Digi Yatra initiative.
The facial recognition biometric feature would be optional for air passengers. Digi Yatra initiative seeks to promote paperless and hassle-free air travel.
The Digi Yatra central platform would be operational by end of February 2019.
R. N. Ravi Becomes Deputy National Security Advisor
The government redesignated R. N. Ravi as deputy national security advisor (internal affairs) from his earlier assignment as the chief of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC).
But he will continue to be the centre's interlocutor for Nagaland.
Ravi will be third deputy to NSA Ajit Doval after former Research and Analysis Wing chief Rajinder Khanna and serving diplomat Pankaj Saran.
Oct 04, 2018
India Eyeing T-14 Armata
Indian Army is now planning to procure Russia's multi-purpose future ready combat vehicles (FRCV) T-14 Armata to replace its ageing T-72 main battle tanks (MBTs).
According to reports, the Indian Army hopes to buy 1,770 multi-purpose T-14 Armata FRCVs from Russia which is likely to cost USD 4.5 billion.
Metro Projects in Bhopal and Indore
The cabinet approved Metro Rail projects in Bhopal and Indore.
The project in Bhopal would be a 50-50 arrangement between the central and the state government and the line would run for 27.87 kilometres.
The project in Indore would be longer - at 31.55 kilometres and would cover most of the city.
Punjab Comes Up with Own IELTS
Hoping to tap into the emigration craze, the state Education Department has come up with a plan to improve their English skills by launching a programme called the 'IELTS'. Only in this case it stands for "Interactive English Language Training for Students".
Coaching for the IELTS exam has become a roaring industry in the state.
The free coaching is set to start for class XI and XII students in around 1,000 government senior secondary schools from November 1.
Astra BVR Air-to-Air Missiles
The Indian Air Force has successfully tested Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missiles.
The testing was primarily to judge Astra's capability in engagement of pilotless target in different modes of manoeuvring, off-boresight, medium and long ranges. Astra has now been through six test phases with different launch conditions and ranges each time as part of the final development trial.
Himachal High Court Gets New Chief Justice
Justice Surya Kant has been appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
The post of Chief Justice of the High Court had been lying vacant since April, 2017.
Kant was the Advocate General of Haryana till his elevation as a permanent judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January, 2004.