Government has approved an initiative to open new Sainik schools across the country. These schools would be opened in partnership mode with NGOs, or, Private or State Government schools in all States and UTs. It is subject to fulfilment of qualifying requirements and they signing Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) with the Sainik Schools Society.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said, till date Sainik Schools Society or Ministry of Defence, after due process of evaluation and approval, has signed MoA with 18 schools. He said, under erstwhile pattern 33 Sainik schools have been established in the country.

President Droupadi Murmu attended a civic reception hosted in her honour by the Government of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. On the occasion, the President inaugurated the silver jubilee celebration of ‘Kudumbashree’ - one of the largest women’s self-help networks in the world. She launched ‘Unnathi’ - an umbrella programme to create opportunities for employment among the youth belonging to SC and ST communities. She also witnessed the release of technical, engineering and diploma books translated into Malayalam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on Saturday, 18 March 2023 via  video-conference. The announcement was made through an official press press release issued on Thursday.

This is the first cross border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of Rupees 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline built at a cost of approx. Rupees 285 crore, has been borne by the Government of India under grant assistance.

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das has received the 'Governor of the Year' 2023 Award by the international publication Central Banking. 

Mr. Das is at the helm of the central bank since December 2018. He has been given the award for steering the financial markets through multiple crises including the pandemic and the inflation due to the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Mr. Das on getting the Governor of the Year Award. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, it is a matter of immense pride for the country that Mr Das has been conferred with the award. 

Union Ministry of Steel will sign MoUs with selected companies under the Production-linked Incentive (PLI )scheme for speciality steel today in New Delhi. As per the official statement,  57 MoUs with 27 companies will be signed during the event.

Production-Linked Incentive scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing and cut down import bills by encouraging local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.

The scheme also incentivizes foreign companies to set up manufacturing units in India.

Veteran actor Sameer Khakhar best known for his roles in TV shows such as Nukkad and Circus, passed away today at a hospital in Mumbai due to multiple organ failure. He was 71 years old. Actor Sameer was diagnosed with respiratory issues and admitted to a hospital in Mumbai. Gradually, his condition worsened, and he died due to multiple organ failure.

The late actor's most memorable role was Khopadi in the TV serial Nukkad. Some of his notable work includes the TV show 'Shrimaan Shrimati', and films such as 'Parinda', Salman Khan-starrer ‘Jai Ho', Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra's 'Hasee Toh Phasee', Sudhir Mishra-directed Serious Men', and Vikas Bahl's web-series 'Sunflower'. The last rites will be held tomorrow at Borivali in Mumbai.

The Unique Identification Authority of India, UIDAI has decided to allow residents to update documents in their Aadhaar online free of cost. The Electronics and IT Ministry said, it is a people-centric move that will benefit millions of residents.

The free service is available for the next three months from the 15th of March to 14th of June this year. The Ministry said, this service is free only on myAadhaar portal and will continue to attract a fee of 50 rupees at physical Aadhaar centres.

The three-day Summit on the topic of ‘Collaboration In Sports and Physical Fitness’ with delegates from eight Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) nations held in New Delhi concluded. On the occasion, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur chaired a Ministers’ meeting. During the meeting, Mr. Thakur expressed that it is a matter of great pride for his ministry to be hosting members of SCO countries, especially in the first year of Azadi Ki Amrit Kaal and the year when India has the G20 presidency.

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur today inaugurated the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi. The Boxing Federation of India is hosting the prestigious tournament from the 15th to the 26th of March.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Thakur said, 324 women boxers from about 65 countries are taking part in the championship in 12 weight categories. He said, India has risen to the third position from 44th position in the latest International Boxing Association, IBA world rankings. 

India and the World Bank have signed a loan agreement for the construction of the Green National Highway Corridors Project in four States. These States are Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The agreement has been signed for the construction of 781 kilometers in these States, with loan assistance of 500 million dollars.
 
In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, the total project cost is over seven thousand 662 crore rupees. He said, the objective of the Green National Highway Corridors Project is to demonstrate safe and green highways keeping in view climate resilience and use of green technologies.