A Conference of the Chief Secretaries and Administrator State and Union Territories on Census 2021 and updating of National Population Register, NPR was held in New Delhi today.

Inaugurating it, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai laid emphasis on the need of conducting Census 2021 and the role of the States in doing the same.

He also said that the data collected in the Census helps us in framing policies for the welfare of the people of the country. Mr Rai also inaugurated the Official Mascot for Census 2021.

Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla remarked on the vastness of this exercise and involvement of the State functionaries.

Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Dr Vivek Joshi made a brief presentation on the Strategy for Census 2021.

Former India all-rounder Rameshchandra Gangaram ‘Bapu’ Nadkarni passed away on Friday. The 86-year-old breathed his last at his daughter’s residence in Mumbai on Friday.

Nadkarni’s son-in-law confirmed news agency PTI that the former cricketer passed away due to old-age problems. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

After making his international debut in December 1955, Nadkarni went on to feature in 41 Tests, accumulating 1414 runs while batting at an average of 25.70.

It was his clinical economy with the ball that earned him several plaudits. In the 41 Tests, the slow-left arm orthodox bowler went on to scalp 88 wickets with 6/43 being his best bowling figures.

Russia said it has started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India, and all five units will be delivered by 2025. Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin also said that a contract will be finalised shortly for joint production of Kamov lightweight multi-role military helicopters for India. He was addressing a joint press conference with Russian Ambassador Nikolai Kudashev in New Delhi yesterday. Babushkin said that the Indian Armed forces will receive the first batch of 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles this year as well. These will be produced in India under a joint venture.

Asserting that the S-400 air defence missile systems are among best in the world, the diplomat said they will significantly bolster India's air defence mechanism.

In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal to buy the air defence missile systems.

Haryana continues their dominance in wrestling at 3rd Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati. On day eight, Haryana won six of the 11 gold. Maharashtra got three gold medals in wrestling and reached 150 marks on the medals tally with 42 golds overall. Haryana retained the second spot with 111 medals including 36 gold. Delhi is third and Uttar Pradesh on the fourth position.

Swimming and Tennis will start today at the 3rd khelo India youth games in Guwahati. Total 14 gold medal will be decided in swimming, many more will come from shooting, weightlifting and wrestling.

On day seven yesterday, Maharashtra maintained their grip on top spot with total 128 medals, followed by Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.

"Khelo India youth games successfully fulfilling their motto to promote grass root sports talent of country. A farmer son Maharashtra Mukud won their first gold in weightlifting. His father Santosh told  AIR that in last games Mukund finished at 5th place and after getting Khelo India scholarship he was able to win medal this time. Maharashtra weightlifting coach Praveen said due to Khelo India
scholarship youth of villages are performing very well.

India's high power communication satellite GSAT-30 was successfully launched onboard Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana early today morning. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the GSAT-30 is  aimed at providing high-quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services. The 3,357-kg GSAT-30 derives its heritage from ISRO's earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series, and is equipped with 12 C and 12 Ku band transponders. GSAT-30 will serve as replacement to the aging INSAT-4A spacecraft services with enhanced coverage.

ISRO said, the satellite will provide Indian mainland and islands coverage in Ku-band and extended coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia. With a mission life of 15 years, GSAT-30 is an operational communication satellite for DTH, television uplink and VSAT services. ISRO said the communication payload of GSAT-30 is specifically designed and optimized to maximize the number of transponders on the spacecraft bus. According to the space agency, the spacecraft will be extensively used for supporting VSAT network, television uplinking and teleport services, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), DTH television services, cellular backhaul connectivity and many such applications.

ICC Awards 2019: England all-rounder Ben Stokes won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year after a stunning 2019. Indian opener Rohit Sharma was awarded the ODI player of the year. Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been named the Test Player of the Year.

Here is the full list of ICC Award winners:

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Best Cricketer of the Year – Ben Stokes (England)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Pat Cummins (Australia)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Rohit Sharma (India)

T20I Performance of the Year – Deepak Chahar (India, 6-7 v Bangladesh)

Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)

Associate Cricketer of the Year – Kyle Coetzer (Scotland)

Spirit of Cricket Award – Virat Kohli stopping the fans booing Steve Smith at the Oval

David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year – Richard Illingworth

ICC Awards 2019: England all-rounder Ben Stokes won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year after a stunning 2019. Indian opener Rohit Sharma was awarded the ODI player of the year. Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been named the Test Player of the Year.

Here is the full list of ICC Award winners:

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Best Cricketer of the Year – Ben Stokes (England)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Pat Cummins (Australia)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Rohit Sharma (India)

T20I Performance of the Year – Deepak Chahar (India, 6-7 v Bangladesh)

Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)

Associate Cricketer of the Year – Kyle Coetzer (Scotland)

Spirit of Cricket Award – Virat Kohli stopping the fans booing Steve Smith at the Oval

David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year – Richard Illingworth

Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas MM Kutty has called for putting earnest efforts for petroleum conservation to bring down the huge import burden for energy requirements. Mr Kutty inaugurated fuel conservation mega campaign - Saksham of Petroleum Conservation Research Association, PCRA in New Delhi today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Petroleum Secretary said, India's share of primary energy demand is set to double to 11 per cent by 2040 and to address this huge demand, not only petroleum conservation but creation of sustainable development model will be a pivotal step.

Highlighting the major advantages of fuel conservation, Mr Kutty said, it will help in progressively reduction of carbon footprint and lead to fulfilling government's commitment for greener environment. He said, foreign exchange can also be saved with this move.