The India-US Fifth Commercial Dialogue meeting was held in New Delhi today. During the meeting, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo acknowledged that bilateral goods and services trade has almost doubled since 2014, surpassing 191 billion US dollars as recorded in 2022.  Both sides welcomed further steps to enhance their commercial collaboration and tap into market potential across multiple sectors, and also enable an environment for investment by small and medium-sized industries and startups.

Both Ministers recognized that small businesses and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the US and Indian economies. There is a need to facilitate collaboration between the SMEs of the two countries while fostering innovation ecosystems that facilitate their post-pandemic economic recovery and growth.

The second edition of 'World Food India, WFI-2023’ will be organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, from 3rd to 5th November this year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The Curtain Raiser Event to WFI-2023 was held in New Delhi today. During the event, Minister of Food Processing Industries, Pashupati Kumar Paras launched the website, publicity brochure and promotional video for WFI-2023.

Addressing the Curtain Raiser event, Mr. Paras emphasised that India is one of the fastest-growing economies with many investment opportunities, especially in the food processing sector. He outlined five pivotal elements of the WFI-2023 as Millets- ‘Shree Anna-The Super Food of India’, Innovation and Sustainability ‘Green Food’, White Revolution 2.0, making India an export hub and focus on technology and digitisation.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said that overall and balanced development of the country is being taken forward. He said, when it comes to overall development, the Agriculture sector is like the backbone of the country.

 The Agriculture Minister was addressing the 94th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Society in New Delhi today. He said, India's supremacy in the Agriculture sector is increasing all over the world. The Minister emphasised that in New India, we have to reach out to all the farmers with new technology and research.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be taking part in the 54th Raising Day Celebrations of CISF tomorrow, Mach 12, at National Industrial Security Academy in Hyderabad. He will be reaching Hyderabad tonight.

This is the first time that the CISF raising day is being celebrated outside Delhi. Addressing the media, CISF ADG North, Piyush Anand informed that the paramilitary force is providing security to nearly 70 Airports, Ports, and Central institutes besides 11 eminent private institutes. The senior official informed that the CISF Security and Fire wings have registered over 465 cases and caught over 100 criminals and seized 1.36 crore rupees worth of property since January this year.

The Central Railway has achieved 100 per cent electrification of its broad gauge network of 3,825 kilometers, which was resulting in an annual reduction of 5.204 lakh tonnes of carbon footprints.

In a release, the CSMT-headquartered zonal railway said the 52-kilometre Ausa Road-Latur Road stretch in Solapur division was the last non-electrified section and its electrification was completed on the 23rd of February this year. This move helps in reducing carbon footprints of 5.204 lakh tonnes every year as well as savings of 1670 crore rupees. It will reduce fuel bills and help earn carbon credit.

NITI Aayog has released the Task Force report titled “Production and Promotion of Organic and Bio fertilisers with Special Focus on Improving Economic Viability of Gaushalas”. 

The Task Force was constituted by NITI Aayog to suggest measures to make Gaushalas economically viable, address the problem of stray and abandoned cattle, and effective utilisation of cow dung and cow urine in the agriculture and energy sectors. The report provides a factual estimate of operating costs and fixed costs and other issues in respect of Gaushalas and the cost and investments involved in setting up the Bio-CNG plant and PROM plant in Gaushalas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of noted film personality Satish Kaushik. In a tweet, Mr. Modi said, Mr. Kaushik was a creative genius who won hearts by his wonderful acting and direction. The Prime Minister said, Mr. Kaushik's works will continue to entertain audiences. He paid his condolences to his family and admirers. 

Home Minister Amit Shah has also, expressed grief over the demise of actor, director, and writer Satish Kaushik. In a tweet, Mr. Shah said, Mr. Kaushik's contribution to Indian cinema, artistic creations, and performances will always be remembered. He paid his condolences to the bereaved family. 

In Jammu and Kashmir, Army installed the tallest 'Iconic National Flag' in the hilly Doda district today, March 9. The tricolour which has been installed on a 100 feet-high pole, the highest Tricolour in the Doda district, was unfurled by GOC Delta Force, Maj Gen Ajay Kumar along with Commander 9 sector RR Brig. Samir K Palande, DC Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan, and SSP Abdul Qayoom.

During the ceremony, GOC said the Flag is a tribute to the countless soldiers of the Chenab Region who have made the ultimate sacrifice while safeguarding the unity and integrity of the nation. On this occasion, he also honoured the next of kin of martyred soldiers. The hundred feet high mast national flag, the first of its kind in the Doda district is not only a proud moment for the Army only but for all the residents of the hilly district. Locals especially students and Veer Naris (war widows) who had gathered in large numbers to witness the historic event and expressed gratitude to the Army for making them part of the historical moment.

India and US have agreed to launch a Strategic Trade Dialogue. It was decided during the meeting of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in New Delhi yesterday.

The India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue will be led by Foreign Secretary from Ministry of External Affairs of India and Under Secretary, Bureau of Industry and Security in US Department of Commerce.

The Strategic Trade Dialogue will address export controls, explore ways of enhancing high-technology commerce and facilitate technology transfer between the two countries.

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has settled over 35 hundred maternity benefit claims amounting to nine crore 30 lakh rupees during the week-long activities dedicated to celebrate International Women’s Day.

They recently also introduced the facility of claiming maternity benefits online for Insured Women under ESI scheme.

In tune with this year's theme for Women's Day, DigitAll: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality, week-long series of activities including seminar on gender sensitization, settlements of pending bills related to maternity benefit claims and special health screening for women were also organised by the ESIC.