The festival, celebrated post-snowfall, brings together diverse local customs and traditions, offering a plethora of activities, ranging from archery and other snow sports to culinary delights and knitting competitions.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday inaugurated the Lahaul Sharad Utsav, a traditional winter festival spanning over two months and showcasing the vibrant culture and heritage of the region.

The festival, celebrated post-snowfall, brings together diverse local customs and traditions, offering a plethora of activities, ranging from archery and other snow sports to culinary delights and knitting competitions.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), under the aegis of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has successfully commissioned India's largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which stores energy using solar energy. The 40 megawatts (MW) / 120MWh BESS with a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant which has an installed capacity of 152.325 megawatt hour (MWh)and dispatchable capacity of 100MW AC (155.02 MW peak DC) is located in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The energy would be purchased by the state of Chhattisgarh, thus contributing to meeting the peak energy demand of the state using green electrons andalso towards its renewable purchase obligations.The project has been dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi via video conferencing today, February 24, 2024.

The project using solar panels and battery storage represents a monumental leap forward in generation and use of renewable energy. The project utilizes battery storage for storing solar energy when the sun is shining and using it later during hours of peak demand in the evening, for meeting the electricity demand in the state. The project has deployed bifacial modules, which reflect the light from the ground, thus generating more electricitythan monofacial modules, hencesetting a new standard for large-scale renewable energy projects.

The Bihar government and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have signed an MoU in a bid to boost the startup ecosystem in the eastern state, officials said.

The initiative is aimed at creating a conducive environment for startups and transforming Bihar into a startup hub, a SIDBI release said.

"The Bihar Startup Fund Trust (BSFT) and SIDBI entered into an MoU to administer the Rs 50-crore Bihar Startup Scale-up Financing Fund' (BSSFF), it said.

The BSFT is the nodal agency constituted by the Industries Department for implementation of the Bihar Startup Policy.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, a part of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is gearing up for an exciting event following the triumph of the 'International Purple Fest, 2024' in Goa. Scheduled for February 26, 2024, a vibrant 'Purple Fest' awaits at Amrit Udyaan within the Rashtrapati Bhawan premises.

This upcoming fest, graced by the esteemed presence of President Droupadi Murmu, will witness the participation of over 10 thousand Divyangjans alongside their companions. Spearheaded by the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities, this event promises a day filled with inclusivity and joy.

Attendees can expect an array of interactive stalls from organisations championing accessibility, inclusion, and disability rights. From exploring the scenic beauty of Amrit Udyaan to delving into educational initiatives like 'Know Your Disabilities,' the fest offers something for everyone.

India and Japan on Sunday kicked-off a two-week military exercise in Rajasthan's Mahajan field firing range to foster deeper cooperation in confronting common security challenges.

The exercise 'Dharma Guardian' between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force is being conducted under the broad framework of India-Japan strategic cooperation, officials said.

It is an annual exercise and conducted alternatively in India and Japan.

The contingent of both sides comprises 40 personnel each.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday presented the budget for financial year 2024-25 with an allocation of Rs 1.89 lakh crore, more than 11 per cent from the previous fiscal.

Khattar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said, “For 2024-25, I propose a budget of Rs 1,89,876.61 crore which is 11.37 per cent more than Rs 1,70,490.84 crore (revised estimates) of 2023-24.” It is the fifth budget of the BJP-JJP government.

While presenting the budget, Khattar said his government took many steps for the welfare of farmers, while adding that the government was giving a minimum support price on 14 crops.

Two persons from Bhopal — Bhagwan Singh and Mahesh Khurana — have entered the select group of athletes after completing the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon 2024 organized in Leh-Ladakh.

The second edition of the Ladakh’s Pangong frozen lake marathon, known as the ‘World’s Highest Frozen Lake Marathon’, took place on Feb 20.

The run was conducted amid heavy snowfall at an altitude of 18,680 feet, with temperatures dropping to -15°C, making it one of the toughest marathons in the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Global Textile Expo-Bharat Tex 2024 on 26th February in New Delhi. Ministry of Textiles, Secretary, Rachna Shah said that the four long day long Bharat Tex will be spread over 22 lakh square feet exhibition area across Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi. She said that participation of buyers from 100 countries and over 100 international speakers is expected during the event. Ms. Shah further added that the expo will be a unique opportunity to showcase the strength of India's textile value chain on a global stage. Being organised by a consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the Ministry of Textiles, The Ministry said that Bharat Tex is built on the twin pillars of trade and investment and with an overarching focus on sustainability and resilient supply chains. The Ministry said that 46 Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) will be signed during the event including international partnerships.

The Expo will also witness the launch of Textiles Grand Innovation Challenge aimed to identify futuristic circular solutions

Veteran actor Ashok Saraf, who has acted in more than 250 Marathi films and is known for his impeccable comic timing, was on Thursday night presented the Maharashtra Bhushan Award for 2023, the highest civilian honour of the state.

Saraf (75), in an acting career spanning nearly five decades, has also featured in several Hindi films and popular comedy drama television series 'Hum Paanch', among others.

The prestigious award, comprising a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, a medal and a citation, was presented to the celebrated actor at the 57th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards ceremony here by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

The Padma Shri recipient was honoured with two awards at the 57th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards by the Government of Maharashtra.

Singer Sonu Nigam has added another feather to his cap, as he has been honoured with the Raj Kapoor Award for Special Contribution To Cinema for 2023 at the 57th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards. “It feels very humbling to receive this honour, as this award comes from a state that has shaped my life. I have a lot of respect for Mumbai and Maharashtra. My mother was born in Mumbai, so this is truly my motherland. Mumbai taught me the value of labour and consistency. Whatever I am today is because of the shade and shelter provided to me by the state,” says the Padma Shri recipient. Did he expect the honour? “No, I didn’t see it coming at all,” says Sonu Nigam.