Preparation is underway for the first-ever 'Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo', which will be held at the International Exhibition and Convention Center at Moshi in Pune. The three-day Expo will be inaugurated on Friday.

The Expo will witness the participation of the Armed Forces, defence PSUs and ordnance factories. The event is set to give a boost to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaign as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indian Air Force's Made in India Samar-II and Akash surface-to-air weapon systems are being showcased at the Defence Expo being held at Pune from February 24 to 26. The Samar-II system has been developed using the R-27 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, which can now intercept targets at longer ranges than its previous version, the Samar-1 air defence missile system.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based United World Academy, offering world-class, affordable education for children of its serving and retired personnel.

The MoU was signed by Pradeep Kumar Gupta, Inspector General of the SSB and KC Vijaya Kumar, President of the United World Academy, Bangalore.

The objective of the agreement is to provide high-quality education to the wards of martyrs and serving or retired SSB personnel.

In line with India's ongoing commitment to energy security and sustainable development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually inaugurate three crucial First Mile Connectivity Projects by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Coal India Subsidiary under the Ministry of Coal, in Chhattisgarh. These projects, valued at over Rs 600 crore, signify a substantial leap towards expedited, eco-friendly, and efficient mechanized coal evacuation.

Scheduled for tomorrow, the inauguration will mark a milestone in the implementation of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, showcasing the government's dedication to enhancing multi-modal connectivity and coal infrastructure in the region.

Among the highlighted projects is the Dipka OCP Coal Handling Plant in SECL's Dipka Area, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs. 211 Crore. With an annual coal handling capacity of 25 MT, the plant features a substantial aboveground bunker capable of storing 20,000 tons of coal and a 2.1 km long conveyor belt, streamlining the loading process to 4,500 – 8,500 tons of coal per hour. Importantly, this initiative aims at reducing road-based coal movement between the pit and rail sidings, contributing to a decrease in carbon emissions and operational efficiency.

The first solar project of NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd. (NTPC-REL) at Chhattargarh in Rajasthan has declared commencement of commercial operations of 70 MW capacity on 21st February, 2024. With this, the installed capacity of NTPC Group has reached 73,958 MW.

At present, NTPC-REL has 17 projects under execution, with a total capacity exceeding 6,000 MW. With this, the total renewable energy operational capacity of NTPC Group stands at 3,448 MW.

CEO (NGEL), Shri Mohit Bhargava and other officials were present on this occasion.

The slated full capacity of Chhattargarh Solar project is 150 MW and is expected to be commissioned by March 2024. The capacity was won under SECI-Tranche:III and the beneficiary of this project is the state of Rajasthan.

Veteran playback singer Suresh Wadkar has been honoured with the Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award.

Wadkar was felicitated with the award at an event in Mumbai on Thursday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented him with special mementoes.

#WATCH | Veteran playback singer and National Award winner Suresh Wadkar was presented with the Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award, in Mumbai yesterday. pic.twitter.com/somjbMMX7M

Airports Authority of India (AAI) has achieved ‘Excellent’ rating under MoU 2022-23, signed with Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Department of Public Enterprises has communicated AAI’s MoU score of 91.50 with final rating as ‘Excellent’.

AAI made a commendable comeback after civil aviation industry faced a severe impact during COVID-19 Pandemic with earning of Rs 11,424 Crore as Revenue from Operations under MoU 2022-23. AAI has incurred highest ever Capital Expenditure of Rs 5,175 crore under MoU 2022-23, which was utilized to enhance and expand airport facilities, upgrade technology, and improve operational efficiency, leading to safer, more convenient and seamless travel experience for all at AAI Airports.

State-owned Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) on Thursday said the government has appointed its MD and CEO A S Rajeev as Vigilance Commissioner. "This is to inform that Department of Financial Services vide notification no. 13/8/2016-BO.I dated February 22, 2024 has notified the appointment of A S Rajeev, MD and CEO of the bank as Vigilance Commissioner in Central Vigilance Commission," BoM said in a regulatory filing.

In view of the above, Rajeev is relieved from the bank today, it said. The bank's board and management committee has entrusted two Executive Directors to look after financial and administrative powers and functions of the bank till such time regular MD & CEO is appointed by the government, it said.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickremanayake has said that the International Gita Mahotsav will be held in Colombo.

Speaking at the steering committee meeting, the minister said that the purpose of the event is to popularise the timeless teachings of the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita

The three day International Gita Mahotsav will commence from 1st of March. The festival will be held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre premises with the financial sponsorship of Haryana’s Kurukshetra Development Board. During the recent years the festival has been held in overseas countries. Thousands of delegates from across the world are expected to attend the event. The festival will feature Gita yagna, Gita chanting, shobha yatra, seminar on several topics of contemporary interest and several competitions. On 4th of March, a copy of Srimad Bhagavada Gita will be presented to the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation two new Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station: KAPS-3 and KAPS-4 for 22,500 crore rupees at Navsari in South Gujarat on Thursday. The Prime Minister also initiated work commencement for the construction of PM MITRA Park in Navsari. During the program, several new projects related to roads, railways, drinking water and health were also launched.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that PM MITRA Park whose work is starting today is the first such park in the country for the textile sector. He said, this will give a boost to the textile industry and India's share in textile exports will increase.

The Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics and  IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the Annual Capacity Building Plan for his Ministries on Thursday. The annual plan has been crafted to ensure capacity building and holistic development of manpower keeping in mind National Priorities, Emerging Technologies and Citizen Centricity along with the development of organisations, Institutions and Individuals. Staff from Post offices, Railways, BSNL and Common Service Centres (CSC) shared their experiences of iGoT Karmayogi training and how it has helped them develop their capabilities to deliver the government’s services to the masses in a better manner.