India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) announced the launch of WhatsApp Banking Services for their customers. It will empower IPPB customers to access banking services on their mobile phones. The newly launched IPPB WhatsApp Banking channel will enable IPPB customers to seamlessly connect with the bank on WhatsApp and effortlessly avail of a host of banking services, including doorstep service requests, locating the nearest Post Office and much more. India Post Payments Bank is offering WhatsApp Banking Services in collaboration with Airtel. 

Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais inaugurated the Merchant Navy Week at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai yesterday, March 31. The Director General of Shipping and Chairman of NMDC - Central Committee, Rajiv Jalota, pinned the miniature flag of Merchant Navy Day on the apparel of the Governor to mark the inauguration of the beginning of the Diamond Jubilee of Merchant Navy Week.

While addressing the delegates, the Governor said, the ocean around Mumbai can be explored for the development of passenger transport services. He said, there is a need to increase the number of Maritime Training Institutes in India and further strengthen them. The Governor also touched upon the vast maritime history of India and stressed the importance of the merchant navy for the economic development of India. He noted that while our neighbouring countries are facing economic problems, the Indian economy is mostly stable and the maritime business will provide the necessary support to make it more stable.

Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal yesterday, March 31 launched the App Version of National Logistics Portal (Marine) Sagar-Setu in New Delhi. 

The app has been envisaged with deliverables covering features like a Login Module, Service Catalogue, Common Application Format, Letter of Credit, Bank Guarantee, Certification, and Track and Trace, etc. It will provide real-time information on activities that are generally not within reach of the importer, exporter, and customs broker including vessel-related information, gate, container freight stations, and transactions at fingertips. It also enables digital transactions for payments required for the clearance process of import and export like container freight station charges, shipping line charges, and transportation charges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, April 1 paid tributes to spiritual leader Sree Shivakumara Swami on his birth anniversary. In a tweet, Mr. Modi said, Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu has left a deep impact among millions and he always placed utmost importance on serving society and empowering people. He said, we will always work to fulfill his dreams.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority ( JNPA) has registered its highest throughput by crossing an impressive six million TEUs on Thursday for the first time in history. A TEU or Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit is an exact unit of measurement used to determine cargo capacity for container ships and terminals. In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, it is a noteworthy feat by one of India’s important ports. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Bhopal today, April 1, on a day's visit. Shri Modi will address the Joint Commanders' conference of the three services going on in Bhopal. The Prime Minister will also flag off the new Vande Bharat train from Bhopal's Rani Kamalapati railway station. 

AIR correspondent reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Joint Commanders Conference at Kushabhau Thackeray International Convention Center in Bhopal at around 10 am. The theme of the conference is 'Ready, Resurgent, Relevant'. Commanders of the three services and senior officials of the Ministry of Defense are participating in the conference. The Prime Minister will also flag off the Vande-Bharat train running between Bhopal and New Delhi from Rani Kamalapati Railway Station at around 3.15 pm. This is the 11th Vande Bharat train in the country. Shri Modi will also interact with students selected from different schools of Madhya Pradesh inside the Vande Bharat train.

The 4th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting between India and the Philippines was held in New Delhi yesterday, March 31. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary in Ministry of Defence Amitabh Prasad, while the Philippines delegation was headed by Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments and International Affairs, Department of National Defence Pablo M Lorenzo.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and discussed effective and practical initiatives to further expand the engagements. The co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to implement the 2006 agreement concerning defence cooperation, based on mutual trust and understanding, common interest and shared values of democracy and the rule of law.

Defence Ministry on Thursday inked a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited BAPL for procurement of Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long range) and BrahMos Missiles at an approximate cost of over one thousand 700 crore rupees under Buy (Indian) Category.

Defence Ministry said, the delivery is scheduled to commence from 2027. These systems will be equipped with supersonic BrahMos Missiles and will significantly enhance multi-directional maritime strike capability of Indian Navy.

In a huge boost to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence, Ministry of Defence on Thursday signed contracts with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels at an overall cost of 19 thousand 600 crore rupees.
 
The contract for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels under Buy Indian-IDDM category was signed with Goa Shipyard Limited GSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers GRSE Kolkata at a total cost of nine thousand 781 crore rupees. Of the 11 ships, seven will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by GSL and four by GRSE. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.

The plenary sessions of the second Sherpa Meet under India's G20 Presidency will begin at the KTDC Waterscapes Resort at Kumarakom this morning.

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan will deliver the special remarks at the inaugural session of the meeting.

Different sessions on Technological Transformation, Accelerated Inclusive and Resilient Growth, Women-led Development and bilateral meetings form part of the deliberations.