Aatmanirbharta for India’s defence needs is the guarantee of self-confidence in the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he witnessed a combined demonstration of indigenous defence equipment in the form of a tri-services live fire and manoeuvre exercise Bharat Shakti at Pokhran in Rajasthan.

“Today, once again Pokhran became a witness of the triveni of India’s Aatmnirbharta, self-confidence and its glory. It is the same Pokhran that witnessed India’s nuclear test and today we are witnessing the power of strength from indigenisation,” Mr. Modi said addressing the gathering.

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has been recognised as the best airport at arrivals globally by the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Service Quality Awards 2023.

KIA shares the best airport at arrivals globally honour with two other airports — Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, and the Zayed International Airport – Terminal A in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

According to ACI, 31 airports — 27 airports from Asia-Pacific and four from the Middle East — have been recognised with ACI Airport Service Quality Awards.

Shri Kishor Makwana assumed the charge of Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi today. Shri Luv Kush Kumar also assumed the charge of Member of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi today.

After taking charge, Shri Kishor Makwana addressed the media and said that he will work incessantly to safeguard the interests and the rights of the Scheduled Castes community.

Shri Makwana added that the Commission will work not only to ensure justice to the SCs but will also remain pro-active to prevent any form of injustice to the Community. Giving further details, he said that the NCSC will engage to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes and to prevent atrocities against them. He said that our efforts will be to maintain social harmony and harmony in the society.

The Hon’ble President of India vide warrant dated 9th February 2024 and by virtue of the power vested under Section 4 (1) of the Central vigilance Commission Act, 2003 has appointed Shri AS Rajeev as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission.

Shri AS Rajeev made and subscribed oath on 11th March 2024 as Vigilance Commissioner before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, who was authorized by the President of India in pursuance of the provision contained in Section 5 (3) of the CVC Act 2003. Shri Arvinda Kumar, Vigilance Commissioner was also present.

Shri A S Rajeev is a career banker with over 38 years of experience in four banks, namely, Syndicate Bank, Indian Bank, Vijaya Bank and Bank of Maharashtra. During his tenure as the Executive Director in Indian Bank, the Indian Bank emerged as one of the strongest and most profitable banks in India, with lowest non-performing assets and highest capital adequacy ratio.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is collaborating with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to deploy its rescuers alongside the border guarding force in high-altitude regions along the frontier with China.

This initiative aims to adequately prepare them before their deployment in the Himalayan ranges to undertake operations during disaster such as avalanches, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts.

NDRF Director General Atul Karwal stated during an event that discussions are underway with the ITBP to enable the personnel of the contingency force to be stationed in forward areas alongside the border guarding force. The plan involves establishing small teams of rescuers that can be co-located at ITBP outposts in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. Additionally, the NDRF is also consulting with the Border Security Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal, which guard borders with Pakistan, and Nepal and Bhutan, respectively.

Under the banner of enhancing accessibility and engagement with India's rich cultural legacy, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to unveil its revamped website, tailored to cater to the dynamic needs of citizens across the nation. The launch event is scheduled for March 12, 2024, at the National Museum, New Delhi. This newly upgraded platform offers diverse functionalities, with each vertical of ASI meticulously navigable, users can effortlessly explore various aspects of India's rich cultural tapestry, from historical sites to educational resources.

Furthermore, students will find the website to be a valuable resource for accessing information. This comprehensive digital overhaul reflects ASI's commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of all, ensuring that the nation's cultural treasures are accessible to a broader audience.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted first successful flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology. The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Various Telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. The Mission accomplished the designed parameters.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lauded the efforts of the DRDO scientists who participated in the conduct of the complex Mission. In a post on social media platform X He said, “ Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.”

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has also congratulated the scientists and the entire team, terming it as an exceptional success.

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Sela Tunnel in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. He also virtually flagged off the first convoy through the tunnel.

Along with it, he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth about Rs 55,600 crore in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Prime Minister had laid the foundation of Sela Tunnel in 2019. It is the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel at 13,000 feet, and consists of two tunnels and a link road. It is aimed at providing all-weather connectivity to the Tawang region.

Launching the Mahatari Vandan Yojana – a financial assistance scheme for eligible married women in Chhattisgarh – on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it was only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that kept its electoral promises.

“Mothers and sisters, before the elections, many parties make big promises. They promise the stars and the moon, but only a party with a clear intent like the BJP fulfills its promises. That is why in such a short span of time after the formation of the BJP government [in Chhattishgarh], the promise of the Mahatari Vandana Yojana has been fulfilled,” Mr. Modi said.

India has become the second-largest mobile phone manufacturing country after China, with cumulative shipments of locally produced handsets crossing two billion during 2014-2022, a new report has said, adding that domestic production is set to hit 270 million handsets this calendar year, compared with 250 million a year ago.