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.

The name of Justice Bhushan R Gavai has been proposed as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), with the Supreme Court forwarding the recommendation to the Law Ministry.

The proposal came from the incumbent Chief Justice, Sanjiv Khanna, who is due to retire on May 13. As per convention, the sitting CJI recommends the senior-most judge in line as their successor.

Earlier, the Law Ministry had formally requested Justice Khanna to name his successor, triggering the process of appointment.

Bangaluru based QpiAI, one of the 8 startups selected under the National Quantum Mission, coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) announced the launch of one of India’s most powerful quantum computers featuring 25 superconducting qubits, on the occasion of World Quantum Day yesterday.

QpiAI-Indus, the quantum computer launched, is the first full-stack quantum computing system in the country and combines advanced quantum hardware, scalable control, and optimized software for transformative hybrid computing. It integrates advanced quantum processors, next-generation Quantum-HPC software platforms, and AI-enhanced quantum solutions.

With this milestone, QpiAI is driving deep-science and deep-tech innovation across life sciences, drug discovery, materials sciences, mobility, logistics, sustainability, and climate action.

As a part of India’s National Quantum Mission, QpiAI is at the forefront of building the country’s quantum computing technology ecosystem, national quantum adoption programs, and creating one of the world’s largest quantum talent ecosystems. QpiAI is committed to accelerating India’s quantum journey, making quantum computing technologies practical, accessible, and globally impactful. The technologies from the company, bootstrapped in 2019, have led to 11 patent applications and generated a revenue of around Rs 1 million per annum. They have also generated substantial capital from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi has been ranked the ninth busiest airport in the world in Airports Council International (ACI) World’s preliminary rankings for 2024.

It is the only Indian airport to feature in the global top 10 list. IGI airport handled 7.7 crore passengers in the calendar year 2024 and saw a rise in the ranking after getting the 10th spot in 2023, 13th in 2021, and 17th spot in 2019.

The Delhi airport’s rise in the ranking is attributed to expanded terminal and runway capacity, facial recognition and automated baggage systems, a growing network of over 150 international destinations, and renewable energy use, according to a press statement from Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the operator of the IGIA.

The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) on Thursday said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the New Development Bank (NDB) creating a deep and sustainable infrastructure financing market and developing a supportive ecosystem around it.

NDB is a multilateral development bank established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) with the purpose of mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs).

This collaboration will help bridge the infrastructure financing gap and explore long-term collaboration opportunities, including the exchange of technical expertise, a joint statement said.

India’s inflation eased to a 67-month low of 3.34 percent in March compared with 3.61 percent in the previous month, as food inflation declined further, with economists firming up their expectations of a further rate cut in June policy meeting of the Reserve Bank of India, according to data released on April 11.

"Despite a firmer core, Jan–Mar headline inflation not only undershot the RBI’s quarterly projection by a wide margin but also fell below the RBI’s target range. This validates the central bank’s decision to shift to an accommodative stance, along with a rate cut at the April meeting. We maintain our call for further easing in June,” said Radhika Rao, senior economist, DBS Bank.

A day after anti-Aadhaar card protestors hit the streets of Shillong, Meghalaya received two top awards from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

The UIDAI, which issues the 12-digit unique identification number, recognised Meghalaya as the best-performing State in carrying out mandatory biometric updates of children and in the verification of adult Aadhaar enrolment.

Shai Kupar War, the nodal officer (Aadhaar) in the State’s General Administration Department, received the awards on behalf of the government in New Delhi on April 8.

Chris Jenkins has resigned as Commonwealth Sport President, the organisation announced on Tuesday, acknowledging his longstanding service and significant contribution to the Commonwealth Sport movement.

The Constitution allows for an interim President to be appointed in the wake of the mid-term resignation of the incumbent, and Donald Rukare has been given the role till the next General Assembly in November this year, according to Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir.

“I am particularly proud of the opportunities I have been given to advance Sport for Development – and especially Para inclusion through our GAPS programme – and want to thank all my Commonwealth Games Association colleagues and friends for their support,” Jenkins was quoted as saying in a release which did not mention why he stepped down from the role.