Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched Toyota’s first of its kind pilot project on Flexi-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles in India today. These vehicles will run on 100 percent petrol as well as 20 to 100 percent blended ethanol and electric power.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Gadkari said, the success of this pilot project will make India a global leader in the manufacture of these electric vehicles. He said such technologies are innovative, revolutionary, sustainable, cost-effective, energy-efficient and will completely transform the transportation sector in New India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Shri Mahakal Lok at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh from October11. Shri Mahakal Lok is a place where all the mythological stories of Lord Shankar will be seen at one place. It has built in the Mahakaleshwar temple of Ujjain, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of the country. The Prime Minister will also address a public meeting in Ujjain.

AIR correspondent reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Indore from Ahmedabad at around 4.30 pm by Air Force plane. He will reach Ujjain from Indore by a helicopter. Prime Minister Modi will dedicate Shri Mahakal Lok to the nation between 6.30  to 7 pm. This program will be telecast live in the entire state. After the inauguration program, the Prime Minister will address a public meeting at Kartik Mela Ground in Ujjain. More than 60 thousand people are expected to attend the meeting. After the public meeting, Shri Modi will leave for Delhi. The Prime Minister will be staying in MP for around 4 hours.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached  at Sitabdiara in the Saran district of Bihar this afternoon and paid floral tributes to socialist icon Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary at his ancestral village. Mr Shah unveiled a 14 feet high statue of Lok nayak Jayprakash Narayan at JP memorial building at his birthplace, Lala Tola. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Nityanand Rai and several leaders were present on the occassion. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has inaugurated the new Indian High Commission Chancery in Wellington in New Zealand. He said, inauguration of new Indian High Commission Chancery and three ministerial visits in a short span of time reflect our shared desire to grow India-New Zealand ties. Dr Jaishankar said, playing with each other’s strengths is a more sensible way of growing the important relationship between the two countries.

External Affairs Minister also said that the relationship between both countries is due for an update and due for refresh. While addressing members of Indian community, he highlighted the possibilities for increased cooperation in various sectors. Dr Jaishankar said, possibilities are abound in business, digital, agriculture, education, skills, traditional medicine and maritime security domains. He said, stronger cooperation will ensure peace, prosperity and progress of our common region.

The 73rd Raising Day of Territorial Army was celebrated across the country today to commemorate its raising by the first Governor General C Rajagopalachari on this day in 1949.  

Lieutenant General Preet Mohindera Singh, Director General of Territorial Army paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the Territorial Army by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.
         
The celebrations commenced on Friday with tree plantation at Bhatti Mines in Delhi, wherein 10 thousand saplings were planted. The Ecological task forces of Territorial Army have so far planted more than 8.5 Crore trees in various parts of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness on the passing away of Dr. Temsüla Ao, who played a pivotal role in popularising the wonderful Naga culture through her literary works. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, her efforts in the fields of education and culture were noteworthy. He expressed condolences to her family and friends. 

The National Health Authority under its flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has introduced QR Code based rapid OPD registration in the hospital. This service allows old as well as new patients to simply scan a QR Code and share their demographic details like name, father name, age, gender, address and mobile number with the hospital. 

The Health Ministry said, this will helps to reduce the time taken at the OPD registration counter and avoid the wait in long queues. The QR Code based rapid OPD registration has been started on a pilot basis in the OPD block of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital in New Delhi. The Ministry said, the service is planned to be soon extended to other health facilities and departments.

Indian Railways has adopted an integrated approach for a Green Environment and planned to gradually reduce its carbon footprint to  become Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. Ministry of Railways in a statement said that Railways will attempt to reduce its carbon footprint primarily through sourcing of its energy requirements from renewable energy source. Other strategies towards Net Zero emitter includes taking a multi-pronged approach of electrification of its routes, shifting from diesel to electric traction, promotion of energy efficiency and  construction of Dedicated Freight Corridors.

The Ministry added that the  Government of India, as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), has set a target of 33 per cent emissions intensity reduction, with the transport sector being one of the key sectors with substantial mitigation potential. It said, one of the most vital transportation emissions mitigation strategies agreed to by the Government of India was increasing the share of Indian Railways in the movement of freight from the existing 36 per cent  to 45 per cent by 2030.

Indian indigenous sport Mallakhamb began at the 36th National Games yesterday. Mallakhamba is the display of aerial yoga and wrestling grips with vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole performed by a gymnast. This is one of the five new sports to be played at the National Games this year. The sport made its debut at the Khelo India University Games earlier this year where Madhya Pradesh bagged 12 medals including 5 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze.

In other events yesterday, Maharashtra won gold in the women’s diving 1-meter springboard event. In Women's Hockey, Haryana advanced to the semifinals defeating Karnataka by 6-0.

Reserve Bank of India has released a Concept Note on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to create awareness about the Digital Rupee. It explains the objectives, choices, benefits, and risks of issuing a digital currency in  India.

The concept note also discusses issues such as technology and design choices, possible uses of the Digital Rupee, issuance mechanisms, and role of RBI in introduction of the CBDT. It also examines the implications of the introduction of digital currency on the banking system, monetary policy, financial stability, and privacy. According to the release, RBI will soon commence the launch of the Digital Rupee on a pilot basis for specific use.