Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Initiative,’ a rainwater harvesting programme led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat.

The project aims to construct around 24,800 rainwater harvesting structures through community participation, ensuring long-term water sustainability across the state.

Speaking via video conferencing, PM Modi stressed that India, with its visionary and comprehensive approach, must lead the world in finding solutions to the water crisis.

Citing a Sanskrit quote, PM Modi said, “All living beings originate from water, and their lives depend on it. Thus, water conservation is the highest form of service. Rahim Das echoed this sentiment long ago.”

Reflecting on the recent floods in Gujarat and other regions, PM Modi said that almost every part of the country experienced heavy rainfall and flooding during the monsoon season. “Gujarat, where I served as chief minister for a long time, faced unprecedented rainfall this season. Despite the challenges, Gujarat and its people have shown resilience and unity in tackling nature’s fury,” he said.

Shourya Saini shot 452.4, after a qualification world record of 580, to clinch the men’s 50-metre rifle 3-position gold in the second World Deaf shooting championships in Hannover, Germany on Friday.

Shourya, a trainee of coach Anjali Bhagwat, beat Oleksandr Kostyk of Ukraine by nearly 10 points for the gold. He had earlier won the 10m air rifle silver behind compatriot Dhanush Srikanth. The bronze medal was also won by an Indian, Murtaza Vania.

Khushagra Rajawat finished fourth in the event.

Chetan Sapkal also medalled for India, clinching bronze in the men’s 25m sports pistol.

Indian chess players delivered an impressive performance at the Commonwealth Rapid Chess Championship, securing three podium finishes. Grandmaster Mitraba Guha claimed the gold medal with 6.5 points, while GM Panneerselvam Iniyan took silver with six points. GM Laxman Rajaram secured the bronze with 5.5 points.

Out of the 14 Indian participants, all finished within the top 30. Notable rankings among Indian men included Shyaam Nikhil P (5th with 4 points), Sayantan Das (8th with 4.5 points), and Hari Madhavan NB (9th with 4 points).

Other top finishes included Adireddy Arjun (11th with 4 points), Arul Prakash N (19th with 3.5 points), Vaibhav Suri (25th with 3 points), and Krishna CRG (27th with 3 points).

MLAs in Himachal Pradesh who defect to other parties will get no pension, according to a new bill passed by the Congress government in the hill state.

To this end, the Himachal Pradesh government in an unprecedented move passed a new bill in the assembly today to stop pension to defectors.

The bill seeking to stop pension for MLAs who defect was raised in the assembly yesterday. This is applicable for MLAs who have been disqualified under the anti-defection law.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu introduced the bill, titled the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill 2024.

Uttar Pradesh has been recognized as a "Top Achiever" in the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2022, a prestigious distinction announced by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

The state earned the 'Top Achiever' title in two business-centric and one citizen-centric area under BRAP 2022, underscoring its commitment to industrial growth and citizen welfare. “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has made remarkable strides in reducing industrial bottlenecks, improving infrastructure, and creating a more business-friendly environment,” government spokesman Shishir Singh said.

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Senior IAS officer Manish Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the new chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, an official notification said.

The Union Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday (September 5, 2024) issued a notification appointing Mr. Gupta, a 1991 batch IAS officer, as the new chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh with immediate effect, replacing incumbent chief secretary Dharmendra, who has been transferred to the national capital.

Mr. Gupta served as the principal secretary (Home) and as the additional chief secretary in the Delhi administration.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has extended his best wishes to outgoing Chief Secretary Dharmendra.

Maharashtra's cabinet on Thursday approved a semiconductor fabrication unit to be established jointly by the Adani Group and Israel-based Tower Semiconductor for an investment of about Rs 83,947 crore ($10 billion) in Panvel, Mumbai.

The unit, which has to get approval from the central government's India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), will be developed in two phases, said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on X (formerly Twitter). The first phase will see an investment of Rs 58,763 crore and produce 40,000 semiconductor wafers monthly. The second phase, with an investment of Rs 25,184 crore, will take the total wafer capacity of the plant to 80,000 per month.

The unit is expected to create more than 5,000 direct jobs, said Fadnavis. It is planned to be set up at the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) Taloja Industrial Area, which already hosts a variety of industries and firms.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal in Portugal’s home Nations League game against Croatia on Thursday.

Ronaldo put his side 2-0 up at the Estadio da Luz in the 34th minute when he got on the end of a Nuno Mendes cross with a tap-in volley from close range, before falling to the ground looking emotional at reaching another milestone.

The 39-year-old has now netted 131 international goals, 450 for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus and 68 for his current club Al Nassr as well as five for his first club Sporting Lisbon.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, second in the all-time scorer’s list, has bagged 859 career goals.

Indian para-athlete Praveen Kumar revealed how he was resolutely focused on securing gold and was determined to avoid any regrets upon returning to India, after his historic gold medal win at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Praveen's coaches also shared an emotional moment.

Praveen Kumar clinched the gold medal in the men’s high jump T64 final on Friday at the Paris Paralympics, achieving a record-breaking jump of 2.08 meters. This impressive leap also set a new Asian record.

The para-athlete shared his emotions about the medal win and the honour of hearing the national anthem play on the podium. He further admitted that he did not foresee this outcome but was intent on delivering his personal best, reported the ANI.

Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member Suresh Prabhu on Thursday nominated to the World Agriculture Forum (WAF) Board.

In a communication, Rudy Rabbinge, Chairman of WAF Board, said that Prabhu's expertise would be invaluable to the discussions that shape the future of the agri sector.

"Given your role and respected position in the global food and agriculture arena, I believe you would be invaluable to the WAF Board. Your insights and experience could greatly contribute to the forum's objectives," he said.