Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today launched the Mission ‘Har Payment Digital’ on the occasion of Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) 2023. This is part of RBI’s endeavour to make every person in India a user of digital payments. DPAW 2023 will be observed from the 6th to 12th of March, 2023. The campaign theme is “Digital Payment Apnao, Auron ko bhi Sikhao” (Adopt digital payments and Also teach others).

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, “Har Payment Digital” is aimed at reinforcing the ease and convenience of digital payments and facilitating onboarding of new consumers into the digital fold. Various campaigns highlighting the digital payment channels available are being planned by the banks and non-bank payment system operators. This will further encourage and support the adoption of digital payments in the country, He added.  He informed that payment systems in India have witnessed over one thousand crore transactions every month since December 2022.

The first edition of the Naval Commanders' Conference 2023 began onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant today.

The conference serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to discuss important security issues at the military-strategic level as well as to interact with senior government functionaries through an institutionalised forum.

The first phase of the Commanders' Conference is being held at sea, and for the first-time, onboard  INS Vikrant. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders onboard INS Vikrant on the opening day today.

The maiden Joint Military Exercise FRINJEX-23 between Indian Army and French Army will be conducted at Pangode Military Station, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala today and tomorrow.

For the first time, both the armies are engaging in this format with each contingent comprising a Company Group each from the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Army troops and French 6th Light Armoured Brigade.

The exercise is aimed at enhancing inter-operability, coordination and cooperation between both forces at tactical level. 

The Ministry of Ayush has invited applications or nominations for Prime Minister’s Awards for Yoga 2023. The award recognises exemplary contribution of individuals towards the development and promotion of Yoga both at national and international level.

Two national awards will be given to entities of Indian origin and two International awards will be given to entities of Indian or foreign origin.

Winners will be announced on the 21st of June this year on the occasion of 9th International Day of Yoga.  

India and Mexico on Saturday signed an MoU on research, technology and innovation collaborations in New Delhi. It will specifically focus on several key technology areas including Aerospace, Electronics, Earth and Ocean Sciences and Water, Mining, Minerals, Clean Energy, Biotech and Healthcare. Terming both the countries as Privileged Partners, Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh assured  Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard that India with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and sister Organizations will provide tangible results in the three priority areas of Water, Lithium and Vaccines flagged by the Mexican side.

In his address, Mr Ebrard expressed his gratitude to India for sending COVID Vaccines during the peak of the pandemic. 

Government will soon launch the Seed Traceability System to ensure the availability of good quality seeds to farmers. This will curb the pilferage in the seed trade sector. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh stated this while addressing the two-day Indian Seed Congress organized by the National Seed Association of India in New Delhi today. He said, central government is giving utmost importance to the interests of farmers.

The Minister said, India is in the leading position in agriculture, but in oilseeds and cotton area, country is yet to be self-sufficient. He said, stakeholders of the seeds sector should contribute to make the country Aatma Nirbhar by reducing imports. He said, in this direction, the seeds Industry needs to prepare a roadmap and implement it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid homage to Biju Babu (Bijayananda Patnaik, former Chief Minister of Odisha) on his birth anniversary who was a remarkable leader and institution builder.

In a tweet, Mr Modi said, Biju Babu was a dynamic and multifaceted personality who has made an unparalleled contribution towards Odisha’s progress.

The Prime Minister said, his role in fighting the Emergency is also notable.

Indian Navy carried out a successful precision strike by ship launched BrahMos missile in the Arabian Sea yesterday. It was done with the indigenous seeker and booster designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

In a tweet, the Indian Navy said that the successful test has reinforced its commitment towards Aatma Nirbharta.

The missile test was carried out from a Kolkata-class guided missile destroyer warship. 

Union minister for railways, communications and electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw reached Sikkim yesterday evening. On his way to the Himalayan state, the minister inspected the proposed rail link between Sevoke in West Bengal and Rangpo in Sikkim.

Today, he will participate in a programme at Samman Bhawan in Gangtok, before proceeding to Lachung in Mangan district.

AIR correspondent reports, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will attend the launch of a special postal cover on “Go Green, Go Organic” in Gangtok today.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri will launch Hydrogen-based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) in New Delhi today.

The launch of the bus is an effort of the central government as part of its commitment toward cleaner energy and low-carbon pathways. The project is similar to the one launched earlier at Kevadia in Gujarat.

Earlier, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that as part of the central scheme the government is looking at new technology and wanted to introduce city buses running on green hydrogen.