The three-day program, which will continue until January 29, has seen the participation of 52 selected birders from various parts of India.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the fourth National Chilika Birds Festival at an event coordinated by the department of tourism, department of forest, and Chilika Development Authority on Saturday. According to a government release, the festival commenced with a captivating ‘Photo Exhibition’ grand opening. During the event's launch, Patnaik commended the three departments' collective efforts, saying, “which promises to add another feather in Odisha’s hat – a soaring birding hub” as mentioned in a government release.

Rohan Bopanna etched his name in the books of history after becoming the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title. At the age of 43, Bopanna won the men’s doubles title along with Australia's Matthew Ebden after beating the Italian pair of Simone Boleli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (7-0), 7-5 on Saturday, January 27 at the Rod Laver Arena.

Bopanna broke the record of Jean-Julien Rojer, who won the French Open men’s doubles title alongside Marcelo Arevola at the age of 40 years and 270 days. It also happened to be the second time that an Indian won the men’s doubles title at Melbourne Park, after Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek came up trumps back in 2012.

Bopanna also won his second Grand Slam title after the 2017 French Open when he partnered Gabriela Dabrowski in the mixed doubles.

Yedeshi Aurangabad Tollway Ltd (YATL), a special purpose vehicle of IRB Infrastructure Trust, has won an arbitration award of Rs 1,720 crore for a highway project, a statement said on Sunday. The YATL had initiated arbitration proceedings against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) after the authority disputed the company's claim for the extension of the concession period by 870 days and compensation of Rs 1,751 crore, the statement said.

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd is the sponsor of IRB Infrastructure Trust. IRB was the EPC contractor for YATL and continues to be the project manager for YATL.

The NCC Directorate Maharashtra contingent has won the prestigious Prime Minister’s Banner at the Republic Day Camp -2024 event for the third time in a row creating a hat-trick.

The Maharashtra Directorate contingent comprising of 122 Cadets won the Champions Trophy and the coveted Prime Minister’s Banner at the Republic Day Camp (RDC-2024) for standing first overall in addition to winning a rich haul of trophies and laurels/medals.

Maj Gen Yogender Singh, VSM, ADG NCC Directorate Maharashtra said "It is a stupendous achievement to win the RDC banner competition 20 times so far and consecutively for the last three years. Kudos to the entire team of NCC Directorate Maharashtra for their hardwork, dedication and sincerity.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court today (January 28). Unveiling the 75th year of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Modi launched citizen-centric information and technology initiatives that include Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi-SCR), Digital Courts 2.0 and a new website of the apex court.

PM Modi also addressed the gathering on the occasion.

The Supreme Court held its inaugural sitting on January 28, 1950. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebration of SC on January 28 at the Supreme Court auditorium.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Government of India enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has unveiled released 'Pahal'- the insightful house journal of its Vigilance Department. The journal has been unveiled by Chairman & Managing Director of IREDA, Shri Pradip Kumar Das on January 25, 2024. The ceremony took place at the registered office of IREDA in New Delhi, where Chief Vigilance Officer Shri Ajay Kumar Sahani and other senior officials graced the occasion. The initiative marks a significant step towards transparency, accountability, and the promotion of renewable energy initiatives by IREDA

During the unveiling, CMD Shri Pradip Kumar Das expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the potential impact of increased employee and children’s participation in 'Pahal.' He emphasized the importance of fostering awareness among children through their contributions, such as articles and poems, which can play a pivotal role in promoting renewable energy development.

“We believe that encouraging active participation from our employees and their children in the Vigilance Journal will not only enhance awareness but also create a more profound impact on Renewable Energy Development," Shri Das added.

Nikita Malhotra, a Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force (IAF), was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry on the 75th Republic Day.

She was also part of the Tangail formation of fighters during the flypast over the Kartavya Path on Friday.

She was piloting a Dornier aircraft of the formation which included one Dakota aircraft and two Dorniers.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated a Super Specialty Block at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, an official statement said.

He also laid the foundation stone for an All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) Satellite Centre in Kanpur.

Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh; SP Singh Baghel and Bharati Pravin Pawar, Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Union Health Ministry; Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Health, Health Education, Family Welfare and Mother and Child Care, Uttar Pradesh; Devendra Singh Bhole, Member of Parliament from Akbarpur, Kanpur and Neelima Katiyar, Member of Legislative Assembly from Kalyanpur, Kanpur were also present on the occasion.

Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday approved with amendments the controversial Online Safety Bill that seeks to regulate online content amid criticism from the opposition that claimed it will stifle freedom of speech.

As many as 108 parliamentarians voted for it while 62 voted against the bill that was passed after a two-day debate.

The new legislation would lead to the establishment of the Online Safety Commission which is empowered to make punitive rulings on offenses.

The Odisha Government on January 24 announced to establish a melanistic tiger safari — a first of its kind in the world.

The safari will be established near Baripada, district headquarter town of Mayurbhanj. An area of 200 hectares adjoining National Highway-18 has been identified for the purpose. About 100 ha will be the display area and the balance area shall be utilised for creation of veterinary care facilities, including rescue centre, staff infrastructure and visitor amenities.

“Glad to announce that Odisha is setting up an exclusive melanistic tiger safari near Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj. Tourists and visitors can now have a glimpse of the rare and majestic species found only in Odisha,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on social platform site ‘X’.