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.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will launch the nationwide ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024’ campaign today at a function in New Delhi. The fifth edition of the campaign will be on the theme ‘Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti’ to recognise and appreciate the crucial role played by women in water management, conservation and sustainability. It will establish a powerful connection between the ‘Nari Shakti’ and the sustainable management of water resources.

The Union Minister will also launch two books namely, “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: 2019 to 2023” and “101 Water Champions of Jal Jeevan Mission”. The ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024’ campaign will be implemented till the 30th of November, 2024 encompassing both urban and rural areas across all districts in the nation. Focused interventions of the campaign will include water conservation and rainwater harvesting, enumerating, geo-tagging and making an inventory of all water bodies and preparation of scientific plans for water conservation, setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts; intensive afforestation; and awareness generation among the masses.

Czech Republic's Krystyna Pyszkova on Saturday won the coveted Miss World 2024 title at a grand event here.

Miss Lebanon Yasmina Zaytoun was named the first runner-up.

Reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska from Poland crowned her successor at the star-studded finale here.

India, which hosted the event after 28 years, was represented by 22-year-old Sini Shetty.

Mumbai-born Shetty, who was crowned Femina Miss India World in 2022, was unable to make it to the top 4 of the contest.

Lachit Borphukan was a legendary army commander of the Ahom kingdom

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled a 125-foot bronze statue of 'Ahom general' Lachit Borphukan in Assam's Jorhat.

The 'Statue of Valour' was unveiled by the PM at the Lachit Barphukan Maidam Development Project at Hollongapar near Teok.

Modi, who reached Jorhat from Arunachal Pradesh by helicopter, was dressed in traditional attire and headgear.

He participated in an Ahom ritual for the unveiling of the statue.

Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday took oath as Pakistan's 14th President, a day after the veteran politician staged a remarkable comeback when he was overwhelmingly elected as the only civilian president of the coup-prone country for a second time.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath to the 68-year-old Mr Zardari in a small yet formal ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the Presidential Palace.

Mr Zardari replaces Dr Arif Alvi, who stayed in office for five months after completing his five-year term in September 2023.