Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and Starburst Aerospace of France on Monday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance aerospace, defence, and homeland security innovation. The MoU includes the creation of a venture capital fund of 100 million euros for aerospace, defence and security technology and provides export promotion support for Indian start-ups to explore international markets, the RRU said in a release. The partnership between Starburst and RRU is a reflection of the progress in the India-France Strategic Partnership in defence and space, it said.

The strategic alliance between RRU, Starburst, and Security and Scientific Technical Research Association (SASTRA), a not-for-profit company set up by RRU, is aimed at fostering innovation and driving advancements in the aerospace, defence and homeland security sectors, the RRU said.

Sakshi Mittal (IAS) has been selected for the appointment as Director in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday. According to an order issued from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), she has been selected for the appointment under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever event takes place earlier.

Mittal is a 2010-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of AGMUT cadre. She was recommended for the Central deputation by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "She may kindly be relieved of her duties immediately with instructions to take up her new assignment in DoPT," the order further added.

Air India bids farewell to its iconic Boeing 747 aircraft, fondly known as the 'Queen of the Skies' from the Mumbai's international airport. The double-decker plane took off for Plainfield, US, where it will be dismantled and stripped for parts, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in aviation history.

Sharing a video clip of the Boeing 747 taking off from the Mumbai airport and doing a 'wing wave', Air India said it will miss the aircraft's iconic presence.

"Today, we wave goodbye to the first of our last 'Queen of the Skies', the B747, departing Mumbai. Thank you for an era of majestic flights. We'll miss your iconic presence," the airline said in a post on X.

The Central Government has approved the appointment of Nidhi S Jain (IA&AS) as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) on Monday. According to an order issued from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) on April 22, she has been appointed to the post for an initial period of three years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Nidhi is an Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) service officer of 2009-batch. Presently, she is posted as Director of Audit (Environment & Scientific Departments), Branch office, Mumbai.

Ananth Technologies Founder, CEO and Chairman Pavuluri Subba Rao has been conferred with the ‘Aryabhatta Award’ instituted by the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI). He was also presented with ASI’s ‘Distinguished Fellow’ title.

He received the award recognition of Rao’s “tremendous lifetime contribution to the promotion of astronautics in India.”

A former ISRO scientist, Rao incorporated Ananth Technologies Limited in 1992 to indigenously design and develop some of the country’s most sophisticated avionics for ISRO and the Defence sector.

World English Day, also known as English Language Day, is celebrated every year on April 23 to commemorate the birth and death anniversary of the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It was established first time by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010 to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity, as well as to celebrate the importance of the English language in the world.

The English language is one of the most popular languages spoken around the globe.

The day prospects the history, culture, development, and achievements associated with the language.

First Rainbow International Tourism Conference in Nepal took place in Kathmandu organised by civil society Mayako Pahichan in association with Nepal Tourism Board.

Chief Guest of the event, Bhagawati Chaudhary, Minister of Women, Children and senior citizen inaugurated the even along with Sunil Babu Pant, first openly gay member of Parliament in Asia.

LGBTQ participants and experts in their field spoke on pink tourism and bringing inclusiveness in tourism sector to boost economy of any country.

EU Ambassador in Nepal Veronique Lorenzo expressed that Nepal being LGBTQ friendly country, has great prospects to attract tourists as compared to other LGBTQ non-friendly Asian countries. Nepal visioned itself to be favourable destination wedding and honeymoon vacation place for LGBTQ community from its two big neighbours along with other countries.

India's net direct tax collections surged by a massive 17.7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 19.58 crore in the fiscal year ended March 2024, surpassing even revised estimates by a wide margin, the tax department said on Sunday.

Net collections of income and corporate taxes, which make up for most of the direct taxes, in 2023-24 financial year exceeded the Budget estimates by Rs 1.35 lakh crore (7.40 per cent) and the revised estimates by Rs 13,000 crore.

The government had raised the target for direct tax collection in FY24 (April 2023 to March 2024) to Rs 19.45 lakh crore in the interim Budget presented on February 1.

Bengaluru Badshahs became the champions of the fifth Deaf Indian Premier League coveted trophy.

"Sportspersons are the messengers of peace, harmony and prosperity. Watching specially-abled athletes performing in the field brings one an ecstatic feeling", commented, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya (IAS) during the Closing Ceremony of the 5th Deaf Indian Premier League, organised by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu.

Sachin Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion, while Sher Singh ADDC Jammu and Ranjeet Kalra, Ace Sports Administrator and Member of J&K Sports Council were the guests of honour. Rajesh Dhar.

Sam Altman-run OpenAI has hired Pragya Misra as its first employee in India. Sources confirmed to IANS on Friday that Ms Misra has been appointed to lead public policy affairs and partnerships in the country.

She has served as the Director of Public Affairs for Truecaller, where she has collaborated closely with government ministries, investors, key stakeholders, and media partners.

Prior to that, she worked for three years with Meta Platforms.

Incidentally, Pragya Misra was also the first employee of WhatsApp in India.