Union government has approved the Indian Space Policy 2023, which aims to boost the country's space department's role and give a larger participation to research, academia, startups, and industry.

The policy lays down the roles and responsibilities of organizations such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and private sector entities.

During a cabinet briefing, Minister for State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said that the policy would enhance the role of India's space department, boost research, academia, start-ups, and industry.

Today is World Health Day. The theme this year is Health for All. Every year this day is organised on 7th  April to coincide with the setting up of the World Health Organisation, WHO in 1948.

This year the world health body is observing its 75th anniversary. 

In a message, the World Health Organization said the idea is to make the global community aware of the strides in public health that have helped improve the quality of life over the past 7 decades. It is also a call for action to tackle health challenges. 

President Droupadi Murmu conferred 55 Padma Awards for the year 2023, at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan last evening. She presented three Padma Vibhushan, five Padma Bhushan and 47 Padma Shri Awards.

Padma Vibhushan was given to ORS pioneer Dr Dilip Mahalanabis and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav posthumously.
The President awarded Padma Bhushan to philanthropist Sudha Murthy, theoretical physicist Prof Deepak Dhar, Kannada author Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa and spiritual leader Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Legendary singer Vani Jairam was given Padma Bhushan posthumously.

The 7th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue was held in New Delhi today. During the meeting, a wide range of issues, including Service-level exercises and engagements, regional security issues and cooperation in defence equipment and technology were discussed. It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Oka Masami. The Japanese Vice Minister also presented policy updates from their recently released National Security Strategy and National Defence Strategy. The Defence Ministry said, both countries appreciated the growing cooperation between the Services through Staff talks and exercises.
 
India and Japan reiterated their commitment towards a strong defence partnership and agreed to find opportunities to further enhance bilateral cooperation. The Defence Policy Dialogue is an institutionalised mechanism between India and Japan to discuss bilateral defence cooperation.

President Droupadi Murmu today conferred 55 Padma Awards for the year 2023, at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening. She presented three Padma Vibhushan, five Padma Bhushan and 47 Padma Shri Awards.
 
Padma Vibhushan was given to ORS pioneer Dr Dilip Mahalanabis and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav posthumously.
 
The President presented Padma Bhushan to philanthropist Sudha Murthy, theoretical physicist Prof Deepak Dhar, Kannada author Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa and spiritual leader Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Legendary singer Vani Jairam was given Padma Bhushan posthumously.

The 10th Edition of annual Indian Navy- Sri Lanka Navy bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-2023 continued on the second day. The participants from Indian Navy, Sri Lankan Navy and Sri Lankan Airfirce concluded Pre Sail Conference to gear up for Sea Phase scheduled to commence from 6th of April. Subject Matter Experts training progressed in areas of Helicopter operation, Underway Replenishment, Damage Control and Fire Fighting.

A grand reception was also hosted by the High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay, which was attended by several key functionaries of Sri Lankan Government, Senior Defence Hierarchy, MPs, Diplomats and eminent diginitaries in Sri Lanka. Visitors thronged to visit the Indian ships INS Kiltan and INS Savitri which were kept open for public viewing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi today, April 5. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation to further boost their relationship.
 
Briefing media in New Delhi, External Affairs Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck briefed Mr. Modi about the reforms initiatives taken by Bhutan. He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reiterated India’s full support for the socio-economic development of Bhutan. He said, both the countries reviewed their bilateral ties focusing on economic and development partnership, trade facilitation measures and cooperation in trade, connectivity, investment, energy and new sectors including space and startups.  

In Telangana, private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace has test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine for a duration of 200 seconds. The engine was developed by the company for its heavier vehicle, Vikram II. The cryogenic engine that was tested yesterday will be used as the upper stage of the updated version of Vikram-II. A cryogenic upper stage instead of a solid fuel stage enhances the payload carrying capacity of a rocket. 

The Skyroot carried out its first sub-orbital flight in November last year. The launch used a single-stage solid fuel Vikram S rocket. The Vikram-1 rocket, the first in the series of rockets being developed by the company, will use three solid-fuel stages to take satellites to orbit. A company release in Hyderabad stated that the Skyroot plans to carry out its first orbital flight by the year-end, with the updated Vikram II rocket scheduled to become launch-ready by next year. This schedule will make the company the first private launcher from South Asia. 

Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy today called for acknowledging the mutual historical, traditional and ancient links between India and Central Asia and to come together for further strengthening of cultural bonds. Hosting the first India-Central Asia Culture Ministers’ Meeting virtually, Mr Reddy also referred to the eternal teachings of non-violence preached by Buddha. He stated that shared Buddhist heritage is a cherished spiritual bond which needs to be further cultivated and propagated for harmonious relations.

The Culture Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also participated in the meeting. The Ministers presented their perspective to take forward their leaders’ commitment to further strengthening cultural cooperation in the region.

President Droupadi Murmu has called for imparting education in Indian languages. Speaking at the 36th convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University IGNOU in Delhi, she said world-class knowledge of science could also be learnt through the Indian languages.

Ms Murmu lauded the progress made by women in several sectors, including education. She noted that 55 per cent of the students who received their degrees, certificates and diplomas were women. Around, 2,79,918 students received their degrees, certificates and diplomas.