Maharashtra has signed MoUs totalling Rs 1.4 lakh crore here on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, following Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's meetings with a number of business leaders, the state government said on Wednesday. Shinde also held discussions with senior delegates from South Africa and other countries.

He met senior representatives from Schneider Electric and Louis Dreyfus, among others. MOUs have been signed with global giants like Berkshire Hathaway and Greenko Energy Projects. These agreements are poised to generate over one lakh jobs in vital sectors across Maharashtra, affirming the state's role as India's stable and dependable gateway for global investors, the state government said.

The biggest civil aviation event in Asia, Wings India 2024 is all set to take off today at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will be formally inaugurating the 4-day event later this morning. Airports Authority of India in collaboration with the Ministry and FICCI is organising the biennial event. This edition of Wings India will be showcasing an array of new-generation aircraft displays, allied aviation services, auxiliary unit industries, and advancements in the tourism sector. The Wings India 2024 is being held with the main theme ‘Connecting India with the World in Amritkal’ and will witness deliberations over the strategies and strategic framework for the future Aviation Sector of the country.

The four-day Wings India 2024 will bring together various stakeholders and participants from all over the world from the aviation industry to promote collaboration, showcase innovations, and explore business opportunities. The deliberations at the ministerial level and CEOs conference besides round tables and panel discussions will help chart out actions that align with national aspirations, fostering connectivity, growth, and innovation in the aviation sector till the year 2047. The best of the aviation industry will be showcasing their innovative aviation technology and aircraft machinery at the event. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. will be showcasing its indigenous civil platforms like the Hindustan-228 aircraft and the upgraded civil helicopter Dhruv in the exhibition. Air India will unveil its Airbus A350, the first aircraft of its kind in the country while Boeing 777-9 will be on display for the first time in the country. Besides the mesmerizing aerobatic display by the Sarang team of the Indian Air Force, over 25 aircraft of different sizes will be on display for the spectacular view at the venue.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today released the book titled 'Fertilising the Future: Bharat's March Towards Fertiliser Self-Sufficiency' written by Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

Dr Mandaviya said the book presents how the country is moving forward on the path of becoming a 'self-reliant India' in the field of fertilisers.

"Along with many such successes, the story of how the country is moving forward on the path of becoming 'self-reliant India' in the field of fertilisers has been presented interestingly through this book," he said.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that the world today faces challenges like climate change, conflict, terrorism and poverty which are universal and it can be addressed by common resolve and collaborative and collective approach.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi today. Mr Dhankhar said, Buddha's timeless wisdom, his Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path guide people towards inner peace, compassion, and non-violence. He said, it is a transformative roadmap for individuals and nations facing today's conflicts.

The Vice President said, violence has never generated unity and peace has never led to divisions. He said, across the continent, Buddhist Stupas stand as silent testaments to Buddha's enduring wisdom. Mr Dhankhar said, the principles of Bhagwan Buddha are no less than a beacon of hope and light to catalyse convergence of all stakeholders on a common platform. He said, In a world yearning for harmony, Buddha's light shines brightest.

Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has said that Government will ensure that Cooperative sector makes a big contribution to India's five trillion dollars economy goal. Inaugurating the new building of the office of Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies office at World Trade Centre, Naroji Nagar in New Delhi today, Mr Shah said, after the establishment of Cooperation Ministry, Cooperative Societies are being strengthened and Rural Economy is getting connected with Modern Technologies. He said, before the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies did not have enough staff and there was no computerisation.

Minister of State for Cooperation B L Verma and Secretary in Ministry of Cooperation Gyanesh Kumar were present on the occasion. 

Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha took charge as Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command. Recipient of the Nausena Medal, Rear Admiral holds the key appointment of the Commodore in (Strategy, Concepts & Transformation) at Naval Headquarters before he took charge as Chief Staff Officer.

The Rear Admiral is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and Navigation and Direction specialist. The Admiral has a Master's degree in Defence Studies from Madras University and International Security & Strategy from Kings College, London. His diverse experience in International Cooperation has also included his role as Naval Attaché at Tehran.

The projects unveiled include the 1800 crore New Dry Dock Facility at the Cochin Shipyard, the 970 crore International Ship Repair facility of the Cochin Shipyard located at Wellingdon Island, and the 1236 crore Indian Oil Corporation's LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen.

Dignitaries such as Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were present at the inaugural event, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the central and state governments.

Before the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi visited the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple and the Sree Ramaswami Temple at Thriprayar in Thrissur district. Notably, he also participated in the marriage ceremony of actor and former MP Suresh Gopi's daughter at the Guruvayoor Temple, showcasing his cultural and social engagements during the visit.

Union Minister of Fisheries Sri. Parshotham Rupala launched the project of depositing artificial reefs in the seabed in Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, via Videoconferencing. The project, a joint initiative of the Central and State governments, is aimed at increasing the income of fishermen by enhancing the fish population in the region.

The project is being implemented under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana with a total outlay of 13.02 crore. Out of this, 7.812 crore is being provided by the Central Government and 5.208 crore is the State government’s share. Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation implements the project with technical assistance from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. In the first phase, 6,300 artificial reefs will be laid in 42 fishing villages from Pozhiyur to Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district.

These reefs create an artificial habitat on the sea floor, creating favourable conditions for fish breeding and their sustainable survival.

Ajit Singh Gill, who competed in the 1956 Melbourne Games, is survived by his 92-year-old wife Surjit Kaur, five children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

Singapore’s oldest Olympian and former national hockey player of Indian-origin, Ajit Singh Gill, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95 after battling end-stage renal failure, according to a media report.

An Indian Army Paramotor Expedition under NATEX K2K National Expedition from Kibithu (Arunachal Pradesh) to Kutch (Gujarat) culminated on Tuesday.

The expedition considered a first of its kind, commenced on November 29, 2023, from the easternmost town of India, Kibithu (Arunachal Pradesh) to Kutch in the west, to commemorate 25 years of Kargil War and Centenary Celebrations of the 'Bombay Sappers War Memorial'.

During the expedition, the ardent team of officers and thirty soldiers traversed their paramotors over a cumulative distance of 10,683 kilometres, gracing 52 touch points along rugged mountains, picturesque valleys, fertile plains and the scenic Rann of Kutch, flying over nine states and a union territory. This route pays homage to citizens of the country from east to west who have answered the call to duty and laid down their lives willingly for our Tiringa through the sands of time.