Signalling that Nepal will seek China’s help in development, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamla Dahal Sunday said he would urge China to treat the Pokhara International Airport as a “grant project” from its side and operate regular commercial flights to and from China.

Prime Minister Prachanda made the announcement at Pokhara while declaring it the “tourism capital of Nepal”.

The Pokhara international airport built by China was declared ready for commercial operation in January 2022, but remained unused ever since, as the governments of Nepal and China have conflicted over whether it was a project under the Belt and Road Initiative or not, with Nepal sticking to the latter status.

Srinagar hosted the first-ever Formula 4 car racing demonstration event on Sunday on the banks of the world-famous Dal Lake. The event enthralled locals and motorsport fans as they witnessed stunts performed by professional Formula 4 drivers.

Sleek racing cars roared along a 1.7 km track from Lalit Ghat on the banks of Dal Lake to Nehru Park in the city.

Hundreds of enthusiastic youths lined the picturesque Boulevard road at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range to witness the event.

According to local authorities, the event was organized to promote tourism in the region and to encourage youth to consider the sport as a career choice.

Renowned carnatic musician, T M Krishna, has been chosen as the Sangita Kalanidhi awardee for 2024. The award, considered the Oscar equivalent for carnatic music, is given away by the Music Academy in Chennai.

Thodur Madabusi Krishna, 48, is known for his powerful voice both as a vocalist on the stage and as a social activist, off the stage. A grandnephew of T T Krishnamachari, former finance minister and the founder of the TTK group, Krishna had his early training in music under Bhagavatula Seetharama Sarma and Chengalpet Ranganathan, both of whom, incidentally, are recipients of the other coveted award given by the Music Academy, the Sangita Kala Acharya award, for music teachers. Later, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, a colossus in the world of carnatic music, was so impressed with Krishna’s talent that he took the young vocalist under his tutelage.

The State government posted Iada Martin Marbaniang, IPS officer of the 2009 batch, as the Commissioner of Police, Belagavi.

He was working as DIG recruitment, in Bengaluru. He served as SP in Kalaburagi, Head of Police Training College, Yadgir, and SP CID.

A native of Meghalaya, he passed the MA examination before appearing for UPSC examinations.

He will take charge from Vikas Kumar Vikash, IGP, Northern Range, who is holding charge of the city. The vacancy was created with the retirement of S.N. Sidramappa, on February 29.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced Sheetal Devi, a distinguished Para-archer, and Arjuna Awardee, as its National Icon in the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category for the General Elections.

Her name was announced at an exhibition cricket match between the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) held on Saturday in Delhi.

Sheetal won three medals in last year's Para Asian Games, which included a women's team silver, a mixed team gold, and gold in the women's singles compound open event.

Ordnance Factories Day 2024: Indian Ordnance Factories play an important role in safeguarding us and providing strength to the Indian Armed Forces. Indian Armed Forces guard the border and ensure that we live a peaceful life, away from being harmed by the enemies of the country. However, for them to ensure that we are safe and sound, they need proper weapons to defend themselves and the country at the borders. Indian Ordnance Factories provide arms and ammunition to the Indian Armed Forces, in turn providing them strength to protect us with more zeal and determination.

The Union Ministry of Home affairs issued a no objection certificate on Tuesday to the Uttar Pradesh Government’s proposal for renaming eight railway stations in Amethi district after local temples, saints, idols and freedom fighters.

As per a Times of India report, the decision was initiated by BJP Amethi MP Smriti Irani, who said that the names of eight railway stations in her constituency has been changed in order to preserve the cultural identity and heritage of the place.

Taking to X, Irani wrote, “Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi… I am happy to inform you that it has been decided to change the names of eight railway stations in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. This decision will prove useful in preserving the cultural identity and heritage of Amethi.”

Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year has been given jointly to independent journalist Greeshma Kuthar, and Ritika Chopra of the Indian Express.

According to The Media Foundation, an independent jury comprising senior journalist and columnist Radhika Ramaseshan (Chair), award-winning journalist and author Mariyam Alavi, and Down to Earth managing editor Richard Mahapatra, selected the winners from more than 65 entries of women journalists.

Maharashtra is set to become the first Indian state to buy land in union territory Jammu and Kashmir in order to construct a tourist facility for the state's people.

As per the IE report, the Maharashtra Bhawan will come up on 2.5 acres of land at Ichgam, near Srinagar airport.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the transfer of land to the Maharashtra government for ₹8.16 crore.

The process to purchase land was initiated after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the union territory last year in June and met Governor Manoj Sinha.

India and Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the sphere of law and dispute resolution today. The Ministry of Law and Justice in a statement said that this agreement will further enhance the cooperation between the two countries in areas of common interest such as international commercial dispute resolution. The agreement was signed in a virtual meeting of the Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Singapore Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Mr. Edwin Tong. Addressing the event, Mr Meghwal said that this initiative signifies the Government’s collective commitment to deepening collaboration in the field of law and dispute resolution, with a focus on sharing best practices, exchanging expertise, and facilitating capacity-building initiatives for the stakeholders. He highlighted that with this partnership, the Government is aiming to harness synergies between the legal regimes and explore innovative approaches to address the evolving needs of citizens and businesses.