G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) will start at Varanasi on Monday. The three-day meeting is being organised by the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.  About  80 foreign delegates from G20 Member States will participate in the event. 
 
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, DG, Indian Council for Agriculture Research told AIR News that this is the 100th event related to G20.

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Panchayat Awards Week and confer the National Panchayat Awards at the ‘National Conference on Incentivisation of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony’ in New Delhi today. On the occasion, the President will also address more than one thousand 500 delegates from across the country.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will be celebrating National Panchayat Awards Week commencing today to the 21st of this month, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) 2.0 in the run-up to the National Panchayati Raj Day scheduled on 24th April. The Ministry has conceptualized a series of Thematic Conferences based on the theme of “Panchayaton ke Sankalpon ki Siddhi ka Utsav” to celebrate this monumental occasion. The Ministry said that under the series, five National Conferences covering nine themes under Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals through Panchayati Raj Institutions and Way Forward for 2047 will be organised during the Week Celebrations.

Nation remembers the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary today. President Droupadi Murmu greeted fellow citizens on the occasion. In a message, the President stated that BR Ambedkar's basic mantra - Educate, Organize and Struggle to bring the deprived communities to the mainstream of society - will always remain relevant. President Murmu also highlighted Baba Saheb's faith in the rule of law and commitment to social and economic equality as the backbone of the country's democracy. She urged citizens to pledge to adopt Dr. Ambedkar's ideals and continue to work towards creating an egalitarian and prosperous nation and society.

Union Tourism Minister G Krishan Reddy and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar on Friday flagged off Bharat Gaurav Tourist train to mark the birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in New Delhi.
 
Addressing the gathering, Tourism Minister G Krishan Reddy said that the Bharat Gaurav Tourist train will not only showcase India's rich cultural heritage but also the life of B R Ambedkar. He added that the train will also promote tourism.
 
Mr Reddy said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Government has developed Panchteerth, five place associated with Dr Ambedkar.

National Highway Authority of India has signed an MoU with the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, spread across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to facilitate seamless and efficient entry process for vehicles entering into the forest area.

Road Transport and Highways Ministry said, the initiative aims to provide FASTag based payment system at Forest entry points. It will extend the benefit of collection of Ecosystem Management Coordination fee through FASTag at various entrance points of the Tiger Reserve.

Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi will be on a four day visit to Croatia and Slovenia from Sunday. India has close and friendly ties with Croatia and Slovenia. The visit will further reinforce the momentum in India’s relations with these countries.
 
In Croatia, Ms Lekhi will hold discussions with State Secretary for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. She will meet a cross-section of Indian community and join a special Yoga session.

Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala on Friday launched the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative to address animal pandemics in a holistic manner. This initiative aims at enhancing the country's preparedness and response to animal pandemics, with a focus on zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health. It will also help to improve veterinary services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capabilities and awareness among farmers through community outreach. Mr Rupala also launched World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health, which aims at creating an ecosystem for a better animal health management system covering five states.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar began his engagements in Maputo, Mozambique by meeting with President of Assembly Esperança Bias. They discussed the historic cooperation between the two countries and reiterated India’s support for Mozambique’s sustainable development. The conversation focused on counter terrorism, disaster resilience and green growth.

Dr Jaishankar also virtually inaugurated the Buzi Bridge, constructed as part of 132 km Tica-Buzi-Nova-Sofala Road project. The bridge has been by built by India. He said, the bridge is a practical example of India Mozambique solidarity and friendship. The Indian High Commission in Mozambique said in a tweet, it will make a difference to so many in Mozambique.

Festivals of Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi, Meshadi, Naba Barsha and Puthandu Pirappu are being celebrated in different parts of the country today.  

President Droupadi Murmu has extended greetings to countrymen and Indians living abroad on Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi and Puthandu Pirappu. In a message, the President said that these farmers’ festivals, celebrated in different parts of our country, present a glimpse of India's rich cultural heritage and diversity. She said, these festivals are celebration of the happiness, prosperity and progress which follow the hard work of farmers. President Murmu wished that that these joyous festivals would inspire everyone to contribute to the progress of the nation and spread the spirit of harmony among all fellow citizens.

An Indian Air Force contingent will depart tomorrow for France, to participate in Exercise Orion. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted at the Air Force base of the French Air and Space Force Mont-de-Marsan.

According to the Defence Ministry the exercise will be conducted from 17th of this month to fifth of next month. The IAF contingent will include four Rafale aircraft, two C-17, two IL-78 aircraft and 165 air warriors. The Ministry said, this would be the first overseas exercise for the IAF's Rafale aircraft. In the Exercise Orion, Air Forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain and the United States of America would also participate.