The navies of India and South Africa on Wednesday (September 4, 2024) signed an implementation agreement to enhance submarine rescue support cooperation that ensures the “safety of the South African Navy’s submarine crew in times of distress or accident.”

“Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will provide assistance by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) when required, further strengthening the collaborative ties between the two navies,” the Indian Navy said in a statement. The agreement was signed by Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy.

“The Implementing Agreement underscores a shared commitment to maritime safety and mutual support. This partnership reinforces the longstanding maritime relationship between India and South Africa,” it added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Rajasthan on Wednesday (September 4, 2024) approved 33% reservation for women in the police force by deciding to amend the State Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989. The State Cabinet took the decision at its meeting held here, fulfilling a promise made by the BJP in its manifesto for the 2023 Assembly election to increase the representation of women.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma presided over the Cabinet meeting. Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said after the meeting that the police would be able to work with more sensitivity in the matters related to women, while the decision would also provide more employment opportunities to women.

It was an Indian one-two in men's club throw F51 event at the Paris Paralympics as Dharambir and Pranav Soorma won gold and silver respectively. Dharambir smashed the Asian record with a best throw of 34.92m in his fifth attempt. Soorma then produced a throw of 34.59m in his first attempt but couldn't better it in later attempts. He thus took silver as Indians locked out the top two in the event. Serbia's Filip Graovac bagged the bronze with a 34.18m throw in his second attempt.

India has risen to 13th on the Paris Paralympics standings, with these two medals taking the country's total tally at these Games alone to 24. Dharambir is the fifth Indian to have won gold while Soorma is India's ninth silver medallist in Paris. Notably, Amit Kumar Saroha, who is a mentor to Dharambir and the 2017 world championship silver medallist, was the third Indian in the fray. He, however, finished last with a best effort of 23.96m.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday announced the appointment of its state women's commission office-bearers, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's sister-in-law Aparna Yadav also finding a place in the panel.

Governor Anandiben Patel has exercised her powers to nominate Babita Chauhan as chairperson of the UP Rajya Mahila Aayog, and Aparna Yadav and Charu Chaudhary as vice-chairpersons of the commission for a period of one year or till UP government's decision, according to an official notification issued by Principal Secretary Leena Johri.

Aparna Yadav is the younger daughter-in-law of SP founder and former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. She is the wife of Prateek Yadav, who is step-brother of Akhilesh Yadav.

Siddhartha Agarwal became the oldest Indian swimmer to swim across the English Channel (between England and France), Swim Life said in a press release.

The 49-year-old swam across the English Channel on August 29. The Bengaluru man took 15 hours and six minutes to complete the distance of 42 km.

When he swam across the English Channel, Siddhartha didn't imagine that he would become the oldest Indian swimmer to achieve this feat.His quest in the freezing waters of the English Channel first began in 2018 when he crossed the Channel as part of an eight-member relay team. Incidentally, this was the same year when Srikaanth Viswanathan, also from Bengaluru, entered the Limca Book of Records for becoming the oldest to swim the English Channel solo at the age of 46.Six years hence, Sid, as he is popularly known among the swimming fraternity, surpassed his compatriot to successfully complete the distance of 42kms. He took 15 hours and six minutes to complete the swim, with the last 10kms posing the greatest test of resilience as he had to battle rigid conditions, high tides due to windspeed of approximately 25 miles per hour.

India and Singapore on Thursday announced the signing of a key bilateral pact to partner and cooperate in the field of semiconductors, as the two countries elevated their ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a 2-day visit to Singapore ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, to be celebrated next year.
As part of his fifth visit to the affluent city state, Modi oversaw memorandum of understanding (MoUs) being exchanged on semiconductors, digital cooperation, education and skill development, health and medicine.

The tech partnership comes as advance manufacturing, with the focus on semiconductors, has been added as a pillar for bilateral cooperation.

The Indian Steel Association (ISA) has awarded the prestigious 'Gender Diversity' award to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) Deputy General Manager (HR) Dr Dasari Radhika at the Indian Steel Conclave 2024 held in New Delhi. This recognition highlights her commitment to promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the steel industry.

The award was presented by Nagendra Nath Sinha, former Secretary of the Ministry of Steel in the presence of industry leaders and dignitaries.

RINL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Atul Bhatt congratulated Dr. Radhika on this achievement, emphasizing the pride it brings to the organisation.

Tahir Zaman has been appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan hockey team ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy. Zaman, a former Olympian, will join the team in Hulunbuir city, China, where the tournament will begin on 8th September.

The urgent appointment was necessitated after Roelant Oltmans declined to accept another short-term assignment from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Oltmans, who had been overseeing the Pakistan team as head coach in their last two international events, was scheduled to join the team directly in China. However, he demanded a long-term contract at the last moment.

“Tahir Zaman will now oversee the technical aspects and planning of the team as head coach while Zeeshan has been appointed as team manager for this tournament,” a PHF official said.

Arvind Vadhera is set to be the next Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NEPA Limited, a PSU under the Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises. He has been recommended for the post by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel on Wednesday. Presently, he is serving in the Ministry of Defence.

Vadhera has been recommended for the post of CMD of NEPA Limited from a list of six candidates, who were interviewed by the PESB selection panel in its selection meeting held on September 4. The candidates, who were on the list were each from NEPA Limited, Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) Limited, Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

As CMD of NEPA Limited, Vadhera will be the Chief Executive of the company and will be accountable to its Board of Directors and Government or Shareholders. He will be responsible for the efficient functioning of the company, and for achieving its corporate objectives and performance parameters.

The Central government, in collaboration with the Tripura state government, has signed a significant peace agreement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). The Memorandum of Settlement was formalized on Wednesday in New Delhi, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha among the dignitaries present.

Speaking at the event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the progress made in the northeastern region under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He emphasized that the peace agreement marked the end of a 35-year-long conflict, as the armed groups have now pledged to renounce violence and contribute to Tripura’s development.

“This is a moment of great joy for all of us,” Shah said. “Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, his focus on peace and dialogue has led to the development of the Northeast. With this agreement, over 300 armed cadres will integrate into the mainstream, signifying a new era of peace and growth for Tripura.”