In a display of literary fervour, the Pune Book Festival 2023 began on a note of extraordinary achievement which brought together families and secured a position in the Guinness World Records.

The expansive SP College grounds on Tilak Road bore witness to a record-breaking gathering of 3,066 participants, surpassing the previous record for the ‘most parents reading to their children.’

The focal point of the literary spectacle was the collective endeavour of parents and children engrossed in a synchronised reading of ‘Nisargacha Nash Karu Naka’ (Do not destroy nature) by Kshipra Shahane.

KPIT Technologies has launched its sodium-ion battery technology through which its customers can reduce import dependency on core battery materials. It has several use-cases for automotive and mobility, especially for electric two and 3-wheelers and CVs and has applications in stationary deployments as well as in marine and defence sectors. “The technology completely reliant on Earth’s abundant raw materials, is another testament to KPIT‘s commitment towards the sustainable mobility ecosystem,” Ravi Pandit, chairman, KPIT Tech said.TNN

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Thursday granted an aerodrome licence for the Ayodhya Airport, which will see its inaugural flight on December 30.

The Airports Authority of India has developed the airport at a cost of ₹350 crore, and the DGCA permit comes ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration next month.

The passenger terminal building at the yet-to-be-inaugurated airport, called Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram International Airport, can accommodate up to 500 passengers during peak hours.

The airport runway is suitable for narrowbody flights such as the Airbus A320 family of aircraft and Boeing 737s. It is also equipped with an Instrument Landing System, which will allow flight operations at night and in low-visibility conditions.

In a move towards eco-friendly maritime transportation, the Barracuda, India’s fastest solar-electric boat, was ceremoniously launched at the Navgathi Panavally Yard in Alappuzha.

This cutting-edge vessel was jointly developed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Navalt.

The launch ceremony was attended by Sanjay Kumar Singh, General Manager of Mazagon Dock, Sandith Thandasherry, CEO of Navalt, Devi Nair, Addl. General Manager, MDL and Hemant Rathod, Deputy General Manager, MDL.

The Barracuda, named after the swift long fish, is designed by Navalt for workboat purposes. With a top speed of 12 knots and a range of 7 hours on a single charge, the 14-metre long and 4.4-metre wide vessel harnesses twin 50 kW electric motors, a marine-grade LFP battery, and 6 kW solar power.

Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd proudly announces the remarkable achievement of its esteemed Chairman, Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, who has been honored with the Visionary Leader Icon Award of the Year 2023 by the Advocates Association For Social Responsibility And Awareness (AASRAA). The prestigious award was presented at the 5th National Summit held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on 24th Nov 2023.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including National Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohith Kumar Singh, Founder Chairman of AASRAA Sulthan Habib Ali, renowned cine actors Ali, and the All India Representatives and State Heads of AASRAA. The Visionary Leader Icon Award was presented to Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath by N Satyanarayana, Chairman of Telangana RERA, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and his commitment to social responsibility and to AASRAA.

Professor Savita Ladage from Mumbai’s Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, received the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of her contributions to chemistry education.

Prof. Ladage bagged the award for her advocacy of the significance of chemical education. Her efforts include mentoring chemistry educators and spearheading impactful teacher and student programs that advance chemistry education in the country.

Kasthuri Rajamani from Tamil Nadu muscled her way to gold in the elite 67kg event of the Khelo India Para Games powerlifting competition in New Delhi on Thursday.

Having represented India in the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in October, Kasthuri came up with a massive effort of 100 kg in her third attempt to seal gold. She was a runaway winner ahead of silver medallist Parul Gohil of Gujarat (64 kg) and Punjab’s Sumandeep, who won bronze with 57 kg.

In the elite 73 kg category, Reshma Mogil from Gujarat was a clear winner with a lift of 72 kg. The silver was won by Sahista of Delhi, who lifted 58 kg while the bronze medal went to Maya from Rajasthan, at 57 kg.

The 80 kg section saw Punjab’s Gursewak Singh in stunning form, improving with every attempt. He began with 162kg, went on to lift 166 kg and then finished with 171kg to win gold. Abdul Salam from Kerala won silver with 155kg while Delhi’s Honey Dabas settled for bronze with a best effort of 152kg.

Around 1,400 top para athletes from around the country are competing at the Khelo India Para Games 2023, which began in New Delhi on Sunday. The inaugural KIPG will go on till December 17.

So far, Haryana top the KIPG 2023 medal tally with 35 gold, 37 silver and 19 bronze medals. Uttar Pradesh are second on the medal table with 24 gold, 18 silver and nine bronze.

KIPG 2023 is the latest addition to the government of India’s Khelo India initiative, which also includes the Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games and Khelo India Winter Games.

So far, five Khelo India Youth Games, three Khelo India University Games and three Khelo India Winter Games have been successfully conducted under the Khelo India initiative, which seeks to nurture the sporting culture in the country at grassroots level. The programme, run by the Government of India since 2017, has garnered widespread success and support from every nook and corner of the country.

Leander Paes, who won 18 Grand Slam titles in men’s doubles or mixed doubles, and ex-player, broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj are the first Asian men elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Hall, which is based in Newport, Rhode Island, and has been around since 1955, announced its Class of 2024 on Wednesday. Also being inducted next year: Richard Evans, a British journalist and historian, who was selected in the Contributor Category.

Amritraj, also chosen in the Contributor Category, and Paes, who enters in the Player Category, are India’s first members of the shrine. It is the 28th nation to be represented.

In a surprising turn of events, Hardik Pandya has on Friday been announced as Mumbai Indians' captain for IPL 2024, thus replacing the franchise's long-serving captain Rohit Sharma.

Last month, Pandya said he returned to his “spiritual home” Mumbai Indians after an all-cash deal trade-off with Gujarat Titans was formally completed following 72 hours of intense drama.

Pandya was picked by Gujarat Titans before 2022 auction from the list of available players for the two new franchises — GT and Lucknow Super Giants.

His reported fee was Rs 15 crore and he led the side to back-to-back finals, winning the championship in maiden year and losing a thriller to CSK in 2023.

Hardik Pandya announced as captain for the IPL 2024 season.