By 2028-29, India’s annual defence production is expected to touch ₹3 lakh crore and defence exports to ₹50,000 crore, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday speaking at an event. In a separate development, he approved financial incentive for armed forces personnel who bagged medals in the 19th Asian Games and 4th Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China in September-October 2023.

For the games, gold medal winners will receive a cash reward of ₹25 lakh each, silver medal winners ₹15 lakh each and Bronze medal winners ₹10 lakh each. There are 45 medal winners who won medals in both the games, including seven Para athletes. These athletes won nine Gold, 18 Silver, and 17 Bronze medals in the Asian Games and one Gold, four Silver, and two Bronze medals in Asian Para Games.

An Indian man from the state of Andhra Pradesh has set a Guinness World Record by inventing the world's smallest washing machine. A video showcasing the functional washing machine was shared by Guinness World Records (GWR) on their Instagram handle, which has gone viral.

Created by Sai Tirumalaneedi, the washing machine stands at a minuscule size of 37 mm x 41 mm x 43 mm (1.45 in x 1.61 in x 1.69 in). Despite its tiny dimensions, the machine boasts fully functional features, including a switch and a miniature pipe, making it a marvel of micro-engineering.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for Sikkim's first railway station, Rangpo Station, on February 26, said Deputy Railway Manager of Alipurduar. PM Modi will lay the foundation for almost 550 Amrit railway stations on February 26.

Amarjeet Agrawal, the DRM, said, "Rangpo station is the form of a touristic and defensive point of view for Sikkim and India, Basically, Sikkim did not have a railway line earlier. The government has signed this project in three phases. In the first phase, Sivok to the Rangpo rail project; in the other phase, from Rangpo to Gangtok; and the third phase, from Gangtok to Nathula".

Through collaboration and coordinated efforts, Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) and the Ministry of AYUSH have been working towards leveraging traditional knowledge, promotion of wellness through joint yoga protocols, and promoting diet diversity through consumption of locally grown wholesome foods.

To further strengthen this collaboration, a national event will be held at Vigyan Bhawan tomorrow (26th February 2024), under the chairpersonship of Union Minister of Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, and Union Minister of AYUSH and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

During the event, an MoU will be signed between the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of AYUSH to achieve improvement in the nutritional status of adolescent girls in 5 Utkarsh Districts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, inaugurated virtually two institutes of Ministry of Ayush which will further promote holistic healthcare scenario in the country. The 'Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy' at Jhajjar, Haryana, and the National Institute of Naturopathy titled 'NISARG GRAM' in Pune, Maharashtra were inaugurated, an official statement said.

The festival, celebrated post-snowfall, brings together diverse local customs and traditions, offering a plethora of activities, ranging from archery and other snow sports to culinary delights and knitting competitions.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday inaugurated the Lahaul Sharad Utsav, a traditional winter festival spanning over two months and showcasing the vibrant culture and heritage of the region.

The festival, celebrated post-snowfall, brings together diverse local customs and traditions, offering a plethora of activities, ranging from archery and other snow sports to culinary delights and knitting competitions.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), under the aegis of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has successfully commissioned India's largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which stores energy using solar energy. The 40 megawatts (MW) / 120MWh BESS with a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant which has an installed capacity of 152.325 megawatt hour (MWh)and dispatchable capacity of 100MW AC (155.02 MW peak DC) is located in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The energy would be purchased by the state of Chhattisgarh, thus contributing to meeting the peak energy demand of the state using green electrons andalso towards its renewable purchase obligations.The project has been dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi via video conferencing today, February 24, 2024.

The project using solar panels and battery storage represents a monumental leap forward in generation and use of renewable energy. The project utilizes battery storage for storing solar energy when the sun is shining and using it later during hours of peak demand in the evening, for meeting the electricity demand in the state. The project has deployed bifacial modules, which reflect the light from the ground, thus generating more electricitythan monofacial modules, hencesetting a new standard for large-scale renewable energy projects.

The Bihar government and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have signed an MoU in a bid to boost the startup ecosystem in the eastern state, officials said.

The initiative is aimed at creating a conducive environment for startups and transforming Bihar into a startup hub, a SIDBI release said.

"The Bihar Startup Fund Trust (BSFT) and SIDBI entered into an MoU to administer the Rs 50-crore Bihar Startup Scale-up Financing Fund' (BSSFF), it said.

The BSFT is the nodal agency constituted by the Industries Department for implementation of the Bihar Startup Policy.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, a part of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is gearing up for an exciting event following the triumph of the 'International Purple Fest, 2024' in Goa. Scheduled for February 26, 2024, a vibrant 'Purple Fest' awaits at Amrit Udyaan within the Rashtrapati Bhawan premises.

This upcoming fest, graced by the esteemed presence of President Droupadi Murmu, will witness the participation of over 10 thousand Divyangjans alongside their companions. Spearheaded by the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities, this event promises a day filled with inclusivity and joy.

Attendees can expect an array of interactive stalls from organisations championing accessibility, inclusion, and disability rights. From exploring the scenic beauty of Amrit Udyaan to delving into educational initiatives like 'Know Your Disabilities,' the fest offers something for everyone.

India and Japan on Sunday kicked-off a two-week military exercise in Rajasthan's Mahajan field firing range to foster deeper cooperation in confronting common security challenges.

The exercise 'Dharma Guardian' between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force is being conducted under the broad framework of India-Japan strategic cooperation, officials said.

It is an annual exercise and conducted alternatively in India and Japan.

The contingent of both sides comprises 40 personnel each.