India and the U.K. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral international cadet exchange programme and also a Letter of Arrangement (LoA) on defence collaboration in Research and Development. These were signed after the bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his British counterpart Grant Shapps in London.
This is the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to U.K. after over two decades, the last visit was by George Fernandes in 2002. Multiple attempts in the last few years for Singh's official visit to the U.K. did not materialise due to scheduling and other issues.
Jan 13, 2024
Panjab University Alumnus Sheel Vardhan Singh is UPSC Member
Panjab University alumnus and former Director General (DG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Sheel Vardhan Singh was appointed member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) by President Droupadi Murmu.
His tenure will commence from the date he enters upon the office. The term of his appointment will be regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Article 316 (2) of the Constitution and the conditions of service will be governed by UPSC (Members) Regulations, 1969, as amended from time to time.
Manish Prabhat Named As Next Ambassador of India to Denmark
Manish Prabhat (IFS:1996), currently serving as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Uzbekistan, was named the next Ambassador of India to Denmark.
Prior to this, he headed the Eurasia Division in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
Manish Prabhat is a career diplomat who has served in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi and in India's Missions abroad in Moscow, Yerevan, Washington D.C., Milan and Paris.
Ambassador Prabhat joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1996 and holds a Master's Degree in History from the University of Delhi. He speaks Hindi, English and Russian.
PM Modi Inaugurates Atal Setu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the country's longest sea bridge. The 21.8-kilometre-long sea bridge, named the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri--Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, has been built at a cost of more than Rs. 17,840 crore.
The bridge, connecting South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai (between Sewri and Nhava Sheva), reduces from two-hour journey to just around 15-20 minutes.
Jan 12, 2024
Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates, Lays Foundation Stones of 29 Highway Projects in Punjab
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 29 national highway projects worth Rs. 4,000 crore in Punjab. The projects included Ladhowal bypass in Ludhiana, six-lane flyover and two-lane road over bridge in Ludhiana, four laning of Jalandhar-Kapurthala section, and three bridges on the Jalandhar-Makhu road.
Gadkari laid the foundation stones of several projects, including four laning of Hoshiarpur-Phagwara road and four laning of Ferozepur bypass.
R-Day Tableaux: MoD Comes Up with 3-year Rotational Plan
Ending the constant political accusations over selection process of tableaux at the Republic Day parade, the Ministry of Defence circulated a three-year rotational plan under which all states and union territories are assured of getting a slot in the annual parade to showcase their tableaux.
Jan 11, 2024
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan Accepts Resignation of TSPSC Chief and 3 Members
Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan accepted the resignations of Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) chairman B. Janardhan Reddy and three members. It was a month ago, in December 2023, that Janardhan Reddy submitted his resignation, hours after calling on the newly sworn-in Chief Minister, A. Revanth Reddy.
Janardhan Reddy assumed the office of the TSPSC chairman in May 2021, and his tenure was marred by alleged question paper leaks and irregularities in the conduct of recruitment exams to fill government vacancies. While Reddy had submitted his resignation, there was no word from the Raj Bhavan regarding the acceptance of his resignation.
Senthil Pandian. C India's Next Ambassador to WTO
The government appointed IAS officer Senthil Pandian. C, 2002 IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, as ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva after Brajendra Navnit's tenure as India's ambassador to the global trade watchdog ends on March 31, 2024.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade.
It officially commenced operations on January 1, 1995, pursuant to the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement, thus replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that had been established in 1948.
The WTO's headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
Wings India to Be Held At Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport
Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport is set to host the aviation extravaganza, Wings India 2024, from January 18 to 21, marking the country's most significant civil aviation event. Jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Indian Industry (FICCI), this four-day biennial spectacle promises to be a showcase of cutting-edge aviation technology and machinery.
Wings India 2024 serves as a pivotal platform for the aviation industry, encompassing commercial, general, and business aviation. As the nation's premier civil aviation event, it provides a unique opportunity for industry leaders, innovators, buyers, sellers, investors, and stakeholders to converge and engage in discussions that shape the future of aviation.
Jan 10, 2024
Govt. Appoints New Legislative Dept Secretary, Additional Secy
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed Rajiv Mani, additional secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs, as the secretary of the Legislative Department under the Union Law and Justice Ministry.
The Indian Legal Service officer was appointed for a period of two years with effect from the date he assumes charge or until further orders whichever is earlier. Justice Department secretary S. K. G. Rahate was holding additional charge as Legislative Department Secretary since October, 2023.
In the same order, the ACC approved the upgrading of one post of joint secretary and legislative counsel in the Legislative Department to additional secretary for two years. It also appointed Manoj Kumar, the founder and managing partner of the law firm Hammurabi & Solomon Partners, as additional secretary, Legislative Department on contract for two years.
Narendra Modi and Al Nahyan Ink Four MoUs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met for the fourth time in less than seven months and expressed their satisfaction with the progress of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two leaders witnessed the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between India and the UAE, covering areas such as renewable energy, healthcare, food parks and logistics.
One of the MoUs was between the Gujarat government and DP World, a Dubai-based global port operator and logistics company, which aims to develop a multi-modal logistics park and a free trade zone in the state.
The other three MoUs were between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
IAS Samir Kumar Sinha Takes Over as DG (Acquisition) in Defence Ministry
Senior IAS officer Samir Kumar Sinha was appointed as Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defence Ministry, as part of a bureaucratic reshuffle affected by the Centre.
Samir Kumar Sinha is a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
Sinha's appointment comes at a time when the Defence Ministry is focusing on enhancing its acquisition capabilities. His role is pivotal in streamlining and overseeing the procurement process, contributing to the strengthening of the country's defense infrastructure.