The Ministry of Defence yesterday signed contracts for the procurement of an improved Akash Weapon System and 12 Weapon Locating Radars, WLR Swathi (Plains) for the Indian Army at an overall cost of over nine thousand 100 crore rupees.

The contract for procurement of improved Akash Weapon System (AWS) for the 3rd and 4th Regiments of Army Air Defence, comprising live Missiles and Launchers with upgrades, Ground Support Equipment, Vehicles and Infrastructure was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, worth over eight thousand 160 crore rupees.

The Government has launched a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, New India Literacy Programme with financial outlay of over one thousand crore rupees for implementation during the financial year 2022-23 to 2026-27.

The scheme aims to cover a target of five crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. Minister of State for Education Annpurna Devi said this in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. She said, the beneficiaries under the scheme are identified through door to door survey on Mobile App by the surveyors in the States and union Territories. The Minister said, the non-literate can also avail the benefit of the scheme through direct registration from any place through mobile app.

Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha and senior Bhartiya Janata Party leader Girish Bapat passed away in Pune today after suffering from a prolonged illness. He was 73.

Girish Bapat was critically ill and had been on life support. He was suffering from breathing problems for the past few months and had been undergoing dialysis at the hospital.

In Uttrakhand, the first meeting of the G20  roundtable conference of Chief Science Advisors was held on the second day of the G20 summit in Ramnagar in the Nainital district on Wednesday. In the meeting held at Dhikuli resort of Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve around 54 chief science advisors from 18 countries participated including America, Argentina, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy and Japan.

Addressing the media on Wednesday Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood said that in the meeting four agendas-The One Health opportunity to tackle the pandemic and disease control, Coordination in global efforts enhancing reach to scientific knowledge, diversity, equity inclusiveness and accessibility in the field of science and technology, and inclusive, incessant and action-oriented global policy in regard to science and technology. He said, on One Health topic,  a plan should be made to coordinate work on Human Health, Livestock Health, and Wildlife Health so that we should know in advance which pandemic is coming. He noted that in India a lot of work has been done in this direction.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that today, India is on the rise, inspired by the surge of aspirations and innovations and validated by the achievements of the citizens.

Addressing the 69th Founders’ Day ceremony of the Indian Institute of Public Administration in New Delhi on Wednesday, Mr Dhankhar said, the next 25 years are going to be crucial for the country. He said, the civil servants who are joining today, will be the Warriors of 2047. The Vice President said, Governance is a dynamic concept and Public administrators have to remain in tune with the changing expectations and requirements of citizens. He said, young talent from remote villages, humble families, from marginalised communities joining the Civil Services.  
Mr Dhankhar expressed happiness that more and more talented young girls are joining Civil Services and are ready to face the challenges of public administration.

Government has identified 1275 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme for development of Railway stations. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said this in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha yesterday. He said, this scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach.
 
It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, waiting halls, toilets, free Wi-Fi, better passenger information systems and executive lounges. The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.

The Defence Ministry has signed three contracts at a total cost of nearly 5400 crore rupees with domestic producers to bolster the defence capabilities of the country. The first contract has been signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and pertains to the procurement of Automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System Project Akashteer worth 1982 crore rupees for the Indian Army.
 
The second contract with BEL relates to the acquisition of Sarang Electronic Support Measure systems at an overall cost of 412 crore rupees for the Indian Navy. Sarang is an advanced Electronic Support Measure system for helicopters of the Indian Navy. Both will empower the Air Defence units of the Indian Army to effectively operate in an integrated manner.

Ram Navami is being celebrated with religious fervor and enthusiasm in several parts of the country today. The festival marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ram Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the Chaitra month.
 
President Droupadi Murmu has extended her greetings to the fellow citizens on the occasion of Ram Navami. In a message, the President said that celebrated as the birth anniversary Lord Ram, the festival teaches the message of selfless service.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tributes to freedom fighter Shyamji Krishna Varma on his death anniversary. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, a devout nationalist and courageous personality, Shyamji Krishna Varma was at the forefront of India’s struggle against injustice and colonial rule. Prime Minister said, inspired by his ideals, we will keep working for the people of the nation.

The first batch of Agniveers from INS Chilika in Odisha is all set to be inducted into the Indian Navy. About 2600 freshly recruited Agniveers took part in the passing out parade in Chilika in Odisha.

The first batch of the Agniveers which include 273 women, underwent 16 weeks of rigorous training at INS Chilika. The Passing out Parade was attended as chief guest by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Harikumar. The function was graced by renowned athlete and presently the President of the Indian Olympics Association P T Usha and the former captain of the Indian Women Cricket Team Mithali Raj. A large number of defence personnel, special invitees and the parents and guardians of the Agniveers were present on the occasion.