The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced Sheetal Devi, a distinguished Para-archer, and Arjuna Awardee, as its National Icon in the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category for the General Elections.

Her name was announced at an exhibition cricket match between the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) held on Saturday in Delhi.

Sheetal won three medals in last year's Para Asian Games, which included a women's team silver, a mixed team gold, and gold in the women's singles compound open event.

Ordnance Factories Day 2024: Indian Ordnance Factories play an important role in safeguarding us and providing strength to the Indian Armed Forces. Indian Armed Forces guard the border and ensure that we live a peaceful life, away from being harmed by the enemies of the country. However, for them to ensure that we are safe and sound, they need proper weapons to defend themselves and the country at the borders. Indian Ordnance Factories provide arms and ammunition to the Indian Armed Forces, in turn providing them strength to protect us with more zeal and determination.

The Union Ministry of Home affairs issued a no objection certificate on Tuesday to the Uttar Pradesh Government’s proposal for renaming eight railway stations in Amethi district after local temples, saints, idols and freedom fighters.

As per a Times of India report, the decision was initiated by BJP Amethi MP Smriti Irani, who said that the names of eight railway stations in her constituency has been changed in order to preserve the cultural identity and heritage of the place.

Taking to X, Irani wrote, “Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi… I am happy to inform you that it has been decided to change the names of eight railway stations in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. This decision will prove useful in preserving the cultural identity and heritage of Amethi.”

Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year has been given jointly to independent journalist Greeshma Kuthar, and Ritika Chopra of the Indian Express.

According to The Media Foundation, an independent jury comprising senior journalist and columnist Radhika Ramaseshan (Chair), award-winning journalist and author Mariyam Alavi, and Down to Earth managing editor Richard Mahapatra, selected the winners from more than 65 entries of women journalists.

Maharashtra is set to become the first Indian state to buy land in union territory Jammu and Kashmir in order to construct a tourist facility for the state's people.

As per the IE report, the Maharashtra Bhawan will come up on 2.5 acres of land at Ichgam, near Srinagar airport.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the transfer of land to the Maharashtra government for ₹8.16 crore.

The process to purchase land was initiated after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the union territory last year in June and met Governor Manoj Sinha.

India and Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the sphere of law and dispute resolution today. The Ministry of Law and Justice in a statement said that this agreement will further enhance the cooperation between the two countries in areas of common interest such as international commercial dispute resolution. The agreement was signed in a virtual meeting of the Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Singapore Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Mr. Edwin Tong. Addressing the event, Mr Meghwal said that this initiative signifies the Government’s collective commitment to deepening collaboration in the field of law and dispute resolution, with a focus on sharing best practices, exchanging expertise, and facilitating capacity-building initiatives for the stakeholders. He highlighted that with this partnership, the Government is aiming to harness synergies between the legal regimes and explore innovative approaches to address the evolving needs of citizens and businesses.

Jeddah, a Saudi Arabian port city on the Red Sea, recently inaugurated the world's first mosque constructed using 3D printing technology. Located in the Al-Jawhara suburb, this architectural marvel bears the name of the late Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly, a tribute from his wife, Saudi businesswoman Wajnat Abdulwahed.

The brainchild of the National Housing Co., the Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly Mosque, was recently unveiled amidst a gathering of government officials and industry leaders. Spearheading the project, Abdulwahed, CEO of Fursan Real Estate, utilised state-of-the-art 3D printers from Guanli, a leading Chinese manufacturer in the field.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is collaborating with Vellon Space, an Indian space start-up, to advance extra-terrestrial manufacturing research and development (R&D).

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in orbital ‘Microgravity Research’, IIT Madras said in a statement. Vellon Space will receive a Technology Development Fund from IIT Madras to demonstrate its miniature space laboratory called ‘AsteriX Lab’, in orbit.

The IIT Madras research centre called ‘Extra-Terrestrial Manufacturing’ (ExTeM-IITM) is the pilot customer for this in-orbit demonstration mission of Vellon Space. The AsteriX Lab, during its demonstration, will undergo space qualification to conduct biological experiments, particularly in long-duration cell culture under Lower Earth Microgravity.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), South Asia,at IFMR. The partnership aims to leverage J-PAL’s expertise as a knowledge partner to empower rural poor women towards self-sufficiency.

The MoU signed by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Charanjit Singh, and Executive Director of J-PAL South Asia, Shobhini Mukerji, underscores the importance of real-time feedback in implementing effective programmes. According to Shri Charanjit Singh, this collaboration will facilitate the integration of feedback mechanisms, vital for informed decision-making.

Central to this partnership is the adoption of BRAC’s Graduation Approach, a proven livelihood program that has effectively uplifted vulnerable households out of poverty, as evidenced by randomised evaluations conducted by J-PAL and Innovations for Poverty Action. J-PAL South Asia will support MoRD in incorporating scientific evidence and data into their decision-making processes.

Former navy chief and war hero Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas passed away at 90 in Secunderabad. Known for promoting gender equality and peace.

Former navy chief and a war hero Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas passed away at Secunderabad on Friday due to age-related health issues, according to a statement from Indian Navy.

He was 90. His funeral will be held on Saturday.