India and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) today signed the Headquarters Agreement in New Delhi today. The Agreement was signed by External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran and Director General, IBCA, Dr S.P. Yadav. The Agreement provides for India to be the host for the IBCA Headquarters and Secretariat. Under the agreement, the government will provide budgetary support of 150 crore rupees to IBCA for creating a corpus, building infrastructure, and meeting recurring expenditure for five years.

The agreement also entails necessary provisions to enable IBCA to meet its intended objectives, including efficient discharge of its official functions. The text pertains to visas, privileges, and immunities to be extended to the IBCA Secretariat and personnel, premises, entry into force, supplementary agreements, and some general provisions.
The International Big Cat Alliance was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, during an event “Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger” at Mysuru. The IBCA primarily aims for the conservation of seven big cats, namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.

Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil launched a digital platform to boost freshwater biodiversity conservation in New Delhi today. The Minister was chairing a review meeting of various projects of Wildlife Institute of India under the aegis of the National Mission for Clean Ganga. The platform will serve as a comprehensive digital hub offering ecological insights and conservation case studies. It will also provide information on physiography, biodiversity, and community engagement activities across major Indian rivers like Ganga, Cauvery, Godavari, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister expressed appreciation for the commendable work being carried out by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and WII in restoring aquatic biodiversity, improving river health, building local capacities, and engaging communities in conservation. He also acknowledged the impact of extensive outreach and capacity-building programs conducted across the basin and highlighted the role of WII in mass awareness initiatives, particularly those involving Ganga Praharis. Mr Patil also released a series of knowledge products developed under the initiatives.

NITI Aayog launched a report on Hand and Power tools sectors – ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential - India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’. The report underscores the transformative potential of hand and power tools industry for India’s economic growth, delving into the challenges, policy headwinds, and necessary interventions vital for strengthening the Indian hand and power tool ecosystem. It outlines a strategic path for the sector to enhance its global competitiveness and capture a significantly larger share of the international market. The report was launched by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog in the presence of Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, and Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog.

The report suggests that the global trade market for power and hand tools, currently valued at approximately $ 100 billion, is projected to grow significantly, reaching around $ 190 billion by 2035. Within this market, hand tools account for $ 34 billion and are expected to expand to $ 60 billion by 2035, while power tools, including tool accessories, represent $ 63 billion and are anticipated to surge to $ 134 billion, with electrical tools comprising the majority. China dominates global exports, holding about 50% of the hand tools market with $ 13 billion and 40% of the power tools market with $ 22 billion, whereas India has a smaller presence, exporting $ 600 million in hand tools (1.8% market share) and $ 470 million in power tools (0.7% market share).

To recognize professionals delivering excellence in National Highway development, the sixth edition of ‘National Highways Excellence Awards 2023’ (NHEA 2023) were held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Hon'ble Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari along with Shri Harsh Malhotra, Hon’ble Minister of State and Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog; senior officials from MoRTH, NHAI and other stakeholders were present on the occasion.

NHEA 2023 commemorated various officials and concessionaire/contractors for their innovation and exceptional performance. Out of total 125 nominations, 22 entries were shortlisted by the jury through multiple assessment rounds and five awards for outstanding projects were awarded in different categories. In the ‘Excellence in Project Management (PPP) category, the winner H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd was conferred with the Silver Award for the project Ateli Mandi to Narnaul section of NH-11 & Narnaul Bypass as an economic corridor in Haryana. Under the ‘Excellence in Project Management (EPC)’ category, Bhartia Infra Projects was awarded the Silver Award for Hakanjuri to Khonsa section of NH-315A in Arunachal Pradesh. The ‘Excellence in Operation & Maintenance (Flexible)’ category had Nanguneri Kanyakumari Tollway Pvt Ltd being bestowed with the Gold Award for Madurai to Kanyakumari of NH-7 Package 4 in Tamil Nadu. In the Green Highways category, Ashoka Buildcon Ltd won the Gold award for Kandi to Ramsanpalle section of NH-161 in Telangana and Deccan Tollways Ltd won the Silver Award for Maharashtra-Karnataka border to Sangareddy section of NH-65 in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Indian Railways has installed an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) onboard the Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express in Maharashtra, as part of a trial run.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the onboard ATM on X, marking the beginning of the ATM on Wheels initiative. The project aligns with the Railway Board’s directive to explore innovative ways to boost non-fare revenue.

A meeting with potential vendors was held on March 25, during which the idea of installing mobile ATMs on trains was discussed. Following that, the first trial run was conducted on April 10, on the 12110 Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express. The train’s mini pantry space was converted into a secure ATM installation area by the mechanical team.

“The ATM was properly secured for its maiden journey using rubber pads and bolts to isolate vibrations. Two fire extinguishers have also been provided in the allocated space,” Indian Railways stated.

Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini has set sail from Cape Town, South Africa, for Goa, on the final leg of a global circumnavigation. The voyage, part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II initiative, is being undertaken by two women officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A. The vessel is expected to reach Goa by the end of May.

“INSV Tarini was ceremonially flagged off from the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) for the final leg of her journey to Goa on April 15 at 1030 hours local time (1400 hrs IST),” the Navy said in a statement on Tuesday (April 15, 2025).

The send-off ceremony was attended by the Officiating Consul General of India in Cape Town, the Defence Attaché of India to South Africa, members of the RCYC Governing Council, and representatives of the Indian community in Cape Town.

The sixth edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise Dustlik began on Wednesday at the Foreign Training Node in Pune. The Indian contingent comprises 60 personnel and is being represented by a battalion of the Jat Regiment and the Indian Air Force. The Uzbekistan contingent is being represented by personnel from the Uzbekistan Army.

Dustlik, an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan, is scheduled to go on till April 28. The previous edition was held in Termez district in Uzbekistan in April last year.

The theme of the exercise will be based on the theme of joint multi-domain sub-conventional operations in a semi-urban scenario. It will focus on responding to a terrorist action involving the capture of a defined territory.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that, the Flying Training Organisation (FTO) to be established in the Amravati City of Vidarbha, will train 180 pilots each year, through its fleet of 34 training planes. It will be the biggest pilot training institute in Southeast Asia. Mr. Fadnavis was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Amravati airport. He also flagged off a flight between Amravati and Mumbai under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) today. Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol, and the Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra Ekanth Shinde and Ajit Pawar were also present on this occasion.

Highlighting the importance of the new airport at Amravati and the flying training organisation, Mr. Fadnavis said, the FTO will have a capacity to train thirty thousand pilots and will boost the economic activity and the job creation in the Vidarbha region.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Civil Aviation Minister said that, the number of airports, flights and air routes has almost doubled in the last 10 years of the NDA government. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said, before 2014 there were only 74 airports in the country, but in the last 10 years, 86 new airports have been built in India.

Six eminent writers read out from their works in the ‘Dalit Chetna’ programme organized by Sahitya Akademi on the occasion of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.  Mahendra Singh Beniwal, Mamta Jayant, Namdev and Neelam recited poems and Puran Singh and Tekchand read out short stories.  In their presentations, all highlighted the basic teachings of Dr Ambedkar and his vision with the help of which a discrimination-free society could be created.  First of all, Mamta Jayant presented her five poems, titled “Sabhi Ne Chhua Tha”, “Jeevit Imaraten”, “Ishwar”, “Nahi Chahiye” and “Baheliyon Ke Naam”.  Namdev read out his poems titled “Baba Bhim”, “Gaadiwaan”, “Kuan” and “Pehchaan”, which reflected the current status of Dr Ambedkar’s dreams.  The titles of Neelam’s poems were “Sabse Buri Ladki”, “Nayi Duniya Ke Rachhayita”, “Tumhari Umeedon Pe Khare Utrenge Hum” and “Utho Sangharsh Karo”. The poem “Sabse Buri Ladki” inspired the struggle for women’s rights and equality.  Mahendra Singh Beniwal read out poems titled “Tasveer”, “Aur Kab Tak Mare Jaoge”, “Bhediya" and “Aag”, which very accurately brought out the dual mentality of modern society.  The story presented by Tekchand was titled “Gubaar”.  In this, the deep roots of ignorance among some communities of the Dalits were shown in a very simple way. Puran Singh read out his story “Hawa Ka Rukh”, which focused on the irony of a writer having to compromise as a result of various pressures.  The programme was conducted by Sri Anupam Tiwari, Editor (Hindi).  A large number of writers, journalists and students were present at the programme.

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian has said that, country’s fish production rose to 184 lakh tonne from 95 lakh tonne under the NDA government in the past ten years. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating several projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Puducherry today.

Mr Kurian announced that transponders will be installed in 2,300 fishing boats in Puducherry under the scheme. These transponders will enable fishers to communicate with their families, seek emergency medical assistance, receive alerts when crossing international maritime boundaries, and get real-time information on fish availability.

The Minister also highlighted the Centre’s substantial financial commitment to the fisheries sector, including 3,000 crore rupees under the Blue Revolution. He added that fishermen can now avail up to 5 lakh rupees in credit under the Kisan Credit Card scheme.

Puducherry Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Legislative Assembly Speaker R. Selvam, Ministers, and MLAs also attended the event.