Prime Minister Narendra Modi will declare the 44th Chess Olympiad open in the grand inauguration programme being organised at JLN Indoor Stadium, Chennai this evening. Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur will also grace the event.

Prime Minister had also launched the first-ever Chess Olympiad Torch Relay at the Indira Gandhi National Stadium in New Delhi on 19th of last month. The torch travelled to 75 iconic locations in the country for over a period of 40 days, traversing close to 20 thousand kilometres. It culminating in Mahabalipuram, before heading over to the FIDE Headquarters, Switzerland.

The 44th Chess Olympiad is being held in Chennai from 28th July to 9th August. The prestigious competition, which has been organised since 1927, is being hosted in India for the first time and in Asia after 30 years. With 187 countries participating, this will be the largest participation in any Chess Olympiad. India is also fielding its biggest ever contingent in the competition comprising 30 players across 6 teams.

Today is the 7th Death Anniversary of former President and legendary Scientist Bharat Ratna Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Popularly known as the Missile Man of India, Dr Kalam is also remembered as one of the greatest teachers ever. He played a pivotal role in India's defence and space research development.

Paying tributes, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, Dr Kalam's whole life was dedicated towards making India a strong nation. He said, with his knowledge and simplicity, Dr Kalam inspired the youth of the country. Mr Shah said, the thoughts and ideals of Dr Kalam will always guide the countrymen.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was an epitome of knowledge, humility and futuristic vision. He said, Dr Kalam was an 'Ajatshatru' with an unparalleled devotion towards making India a self-reliant nation. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted CRPF personnel and their families on the Raising Day of the paramilitary Force. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, CRPF has distinguished itself for its unflinching courage and distinguished service. He said, the role of CRPF, be it in addressing security challenges or humanitarian challenges is commendable.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has greeted the personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on their Raising Day today. In a tweet, Mr Shah said, with their bravery, CRPF personnel have not only made an unique contribution in keeping the security of the country intact but has also created a proud history of valor, which every Indian is proud of. He saluted their service and dedication to the nation.

Union Cabinet has approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages at a total cost of 26 thousand 316 crore rupees. Briefing reporters in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting in New Delhi, Electronic and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the project will provide 4G mobile services in 24 thousand 680 uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas. The project has a provision to include 20 percent of additional villages on account of rehabilitation, new settlements, and withdrawal of services by existing operators. He said, in addition, six thousand 279 villages having only 2G and 3G connectivity will be upgraded to 4G. The project will be executed by BSNL using Atmanirbhar Bharat’s 4G technology stack and will be funded through Universal Service Obligation Fund.

The Minister said, the project is a significant step toward the vision of the Government to provide mobile connectivity in rural areas. This project will promote the delivery of various e-governance services, banking services, tele-medicine, tele-education, etc. through mobile broadband and generate employment in rural areas. Mr Vaishnaw said, digital inclusion and connectivity for all is an integral part of antyodaya vision of the Government. Last year Government approved a project for providing 4G mobile services in seven thousand 287 uncovered villages in 44 aspirational districts across five states.

The nominations for Padma Awards-2023 is open till 15th September this year. The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are among the highest civilian awards in the country. Home Ministry said that online nominations and recommendations for the Padma Awards-2023 have opened on 1st of May, which will be announced on the occasion of Republic Day next year.

The award seeks to recognize work of distinction and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements and service in all fields of Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade, and Industry. The Ministry said, all persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these Awards. 

World Bank has appointed Indian national Indermit Gill as its Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics.

Mr Gill will succeed American economist Carmen Reinhart in the role and his appointment will be effective September 1, 2022. Mr Gill is currently Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions, where he led work on macroeconomics, debt, trade, poverty, and governance.

Announcing his appointment, World Bank President David Malpass said, “Gill brings to this role a combination of leadership, invaluable expertise and practical experience working with country governments on macroeconomic imbalances, growth, poverty, institutions, conflict, and climate change.

The auction of 5G spectrum will commence today. The spectrum will be assigned to the successful bidders for providing 5G services to public and enterprises. A total of over 72 thousand Mega Hertz of spectrum with a validity period of 20 years will be put to auction. The auction will be held for spectrum in various Low, Medium and High frequency bands. It is expected that the spectrum will be utilised by Telecom Service Providers to roll-out of 5G technology-based services capable of providing speed and capacities which would be about 10 times higher than the current 4G services.

Digital connectivity has been an important part of policy initiatives of Government through its flagship programmes such as Digital India, Start-up India and Make in India. Broadband, especially the mobile broadband, has become integral part of the daily lives of the citizens. This received a big boost through the rapid expansion of 4G services across the country since 2015. Eighty crore subscribers have access to broadband today compared to ten crore subscribers in 2014.  The upcoming 5G services have the potential to create new age businesses, generate additional revenue for enterprises and provide employment arising from the deployment of innovative use-cases and technologies.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala has launched NDDB MRIDA Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of National Dairy Development Board to take forward manure management initiatives across the country. It was launched at a function in New Delhi in the presence of  Minister of States for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan and Dr L Murugan. National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has established NDDB MRIDA Limited, an Unlisted Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013 on 1st of July this year.

On the occasion, Mr Rupala said NDDB Mrida Ltd will open avenues of additional income to dairy farmers from sale of slurry or dung. He added that it will help in savings to the farmers by virtue of replacement of cooking fuel with biogas. He further said that efforts are being made for better utilisation of bovine dung but most are individual initiatives and this new company will provide structured impetus to manure management efforts.

Kargil Vijay Diwas will be celebrated across the country today. The Nation will remember its war heroes and pay tributes to the Martyrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas. The day marks the victory of the Indian armed forces in Operation Vijay in 1999, when they evicted the infiltrators backed by the Pakistani army from high outposts in the Kargil sector.

The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended with India regaining control of all the previously held territory. The victory of Tiger Hill was one of the crucial achievements in the 60- day long conflict. Indian soldiers fought the Kargil War under the toughest conditions, on difficult terrain, at an altitude of 18 thousand feet.

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu today bowed to all the brave soldiers who laid down their lives to protect the country. In a tweet, Ms Murmu said, Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of extraordinary valor and determination of the armed forces. She said, all the countrymen will always be indebted to armed forces and his family members.

The 163rd anniversary of Income Tax Day was observed by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and all its field offices across the country on Sunday. In her message to the Income Tax Department, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman observed that the reforms introduced by the Government in recent years have ensured a trust-based tax system. She noted that the taxpayers also have vindicated this trust-based approach as evident from the trend of improved tax collections and increase in the number of Income Tax Returns filed. Mrs. Sitharaman appreciated the Income Tax Department for having successfully implemented the policy reforms and for having effectively reoriented itself as a taxpayer-centric organisation. The Finance Minister complimented the Department for having achieved the highest ever revenue collection of over 14 lakh crore in the last fiscal.