Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is creating better opportunities to private industries, especially the MSME’s. She gave away the awards for the best performing Start-ups in Coimbatore today. Speaking on this occasion, the Minister said, Prime Minister Modi has made economic reforms as the government’s important policy initiative.

Ms Sitharaman attacked the Congress saying it shackled the hands of the private industry by implementing the Quota and License Raj. She said, in 1991, the Congress Government resorted to a limited form of reforms due to the Balance of Payments crisis, and added, the present government gives stress to reforms in all spheres of the industry. She said, in all the areas where the public sector units are operational, the private industries will also be permitted. She however added that in strategic sectors, the public sectors will continue to play their role, though such sectors will be opened for the private as well.

The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Asani’ over West-central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwestwards with a speed of 16 kilomtres per hour during past six hours and lay centered at 1430 hours IST of today, over Westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 860 kms west-northwest of Port Blair (Andaman Islands), 410 kms southeast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and 590 kms south of Puri, Odisha. 

It is very likely to move northwestwards till tomorrow and reach West-central and adjoining North-west Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards North-west Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast. It is likely to weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours, as per IMD, AMARAVATHI.

RailTel, a Mini Ratna PSU, has launched Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme based on access to its Public WiFi services across 100 railway stations across the country. This public-friendly service was virtually launched by RailTel chairman and managing director Puneet Chawla yesterday.

To access this WiFi network, android users can download the mobile app ‘Wi-DOT’ available on Google Play Store. This app has been developed in close coordination with C-DOT.

This method of accessing Wi-Fi through the ‘mobile app’ will be in addition to the existing method of accessing WiFi at these stations through the conventional method of selecting RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID).

The government has said that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG 2022) has not been postponed and will be held as scheduled on 21st of May. Press Information Bureau (PIB) has termed the notice issued in the name of the National Board of Examinations claiming that the NEET PG exam has been postponed as fake. It said, no such notice has been issued by the Board.  

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has warned against spoofed notices issued in its name. It has advised the candidates not to be misled by such unverified notices and cross-check any information regarding NBEMS on its official website.

President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Judge in Gujarat High Court Justice Jamshed Burjor Pardiwala as Judges of the Supreme Court.

Law Ministry has announced their appointments in separate gazatte notifications.

Senior-most puisne Judge of the Gauhati High Court Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh will perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court with effect from the date Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia relinquishes the charge. 

On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda virtually addressed the webinar  “Challenges in Thalassemia 2022” in New Delhi today.

It was jointly organized by Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with various ministries and Thalassemia association. Experts from India and various parts of the world took part in the Conference.

In his address, Mr Munda said that as we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is Prime Minister's vision that we make new resolves which will propel India towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat during the period of Amrit Kaal. He said, in this direction, we should also make new resolves for tackling the problem of Thalassemia. 

President Ram Nath Kovind praised the IIM Nagpur's role of an 'Regional Innovation Organiser' and said, the institute will work as a business incubator and help the industries in the region to realise the dream of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. It will provide services of innovation and entrepreneurship he added. 

He was speaking while inaugurating the new permanent and expanded campus of Indian Institute of Management-IIM in MIHAN area of Nagpur today.

The President said that, the present ecosystem at IIM Nagpur will promote among the students mindset of becoming job-creators, instead of being job-seekers.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Guwahati tonight on a three-day visit to Assam. The Union Minister will visit the South Salmara Mankachar district tomorrow morning  to inspect the Indo-Bangla Border at Sahapara which is around 245 km from Guwahati and will also chair a meeting with the BSF officials for border related issues.

Mr. Shah will lay the foundation stone for Central Workshop and Stores of Central Armed Police Forces and State police in North Eastern States  and will also launch Khadi and Village Industries products at Kalcheni in Tamulpur district at around 2 pm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief on the passing away of noted scholar and Odia Writer Rajat Kumar Kar. 

In a tweet, Mr Modi said, Dr. Rajat Kumar Kar was a doyen of the cultural world and his multifaceted persona was seen in the manner in which he chronicled the Rath Yatra, wrote on diverse topics and worked to revive Pala art. The Prime Minister expressed condolences to his family and admirers.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) today complete seven years of providing social security net. The schemes were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9th May 2015 in Kolkata, West Bengal. These schemes have been successful in providing affordable insurance and security to people.  

AIR correspondent reports that these three social security schemes are dedicated to the welfare of the citizens, recognizing the need for securing human life from unforeseen risks or losses and financial uncertainties. In order to ensure that the people from the unorganized section of the country are financially secure, the Government launched two insurance schemes - Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and introduced Atal Pension Yojana to cover the exigencies in the old age.