Government has envisaged replacement of all the level crossings on National Highways by Road Over Bridges or Road Under Bridges under the Setu Bharatam scheme. The programme is being implemented by Road Transport and Highways Ministry to ensure safe and smooth flow of traffic and reduced road fatalities by 50 percent by 2020.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Setu Bharatam scheme on 4th March in 2016 for building rail over-bridges or underpasses for safe and seamless travel on National Highways. The Prime Minister had said that a good infrastructure network is vital for the growth and development of a nation. He also stressed on the necessity to bring in a comprehensive, integrated approach in developing infrastructure in the country.

President Ram Nath Kovind today conferred 61st annual Lalit Kala Akademi's awards on 15 artistes at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The awardees include Anoop Kumar Manzukhi Gopi from Kerala, David Malakar from West Bengal, Hari Ram Kumbhawat from Rajasthan, Devendra Kumar Khare from Gujarat, Dinesh Pandya from Maharashtra, Mohan Kumar from Karnataka and Yashwant Singh from Delhi.
Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel and the Akademi Chairman Dr. Uttam Pacharne were also present on the occasion

68th All India Police Athletic Championship-2019 began at Bhanu in Panchkula District of Haryana yesterday. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju declared the meet open at Basic Training Centre of ITBP. Addressing the meet, Mr Rijiju said that with an aim to bring India in top 10 in the Olympics scheduled in 2028, the government has  identified 15,000 plus children and started their training across 284 Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centres across the country. He said, to achieve this goal, the role of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)  and State Police organisations becomes very important. Efforts shall be made to assign few games to each force so that we can get good results in Olympics after 8 years.

The Minister stressed that  Sports training centres shall be established in the forces. He also stressed that the government would like to handover few of the SAI extension to the State Governments. It will enable SAI to focus more on the National centres of excellence.
Inaugurating the games formally, the minister emphasized that he is hopeful during the conduct of this Championship, good talent will be identified which will lead to producing good athletes for the country in the future. He lauded the efforts of ITBP in promoting adventure and sports activities in the force.

World Bank has unveiled a 12 billion dollar aid package that will provide fast-track funds to help countries combat the coronavirus outbreak. World Bank President David Malpass told reporters that the goal is to provide fast, effective action that responds to country needs. The funds, some of which are targeted to the world's poorest nations, can be used for medical equipment or health services and will include expertise and policy advice.

Malpass said the money will go to countries that request help. The bank has been in contact with many member nations, but he did not specify which are likely to be the first to receive aid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an extensive review of preparedness for the Novel Corona virus. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention.

He assured that there is no need to panic and there is need to work together and take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba also held a review meeting with the Secretaries of concerned Ministries, Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of the States through video conference. The travel restrictions imposed from Monday were reviewed and shared with the States. The States were requested to hold coordination meetings with the related Ministries. 

China has taken over as president of the UN Security Council for the month of March 2020, pledging to promote solidarity and cooperation in this capacity. In a note to the press today,  China's permanent representative to the UN,Zhang Jun said his country attaches great importance to the work during its presidency and will act responsibly and constructively.

China will make an effort to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with all parties to ensure that the council fulfills its responsibility and plays a constructive role in maintaining international peace and security, Zhang said.

The Security Council was established by the UN Charter. Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security. The council has 15 members: the five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The council's presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members.

Today is World Wildlife Day. The day is being celebrated on the 3rd of March every year to create awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife. The theme for this year is "Sustaining all life on earth". The year is significant on two counts. It has been announced as bio-diversity super year because of the large number of eco friendly initiatives being taken the world over. The year 2020 is specially significant to India because it has taken over as the President of CoP13 for Action Against Climate Change.

In India, the Environment and Forests ministry is spearheading the day's celebration with great importance being given to the theme of protecting wildlife to ensure sustainable life styles.

In Tamil Nadu, awareness camps, photo exhibitions and quiz competitions for students as well as general public is being held in the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nilgiris. A special day out with tribal societies is also on the cards to encourage people to accept more on environment-friendly life styles.

The Khelo India University Games concluded in Bhubaneswar, Odisha last night. Panjab University, Chandigarh took home the champions trophy-winning 46 medals including 17 gold, 19 silver, and 10 bronze.

Savitribai Phule Pune University claimed the second position and Punjabi University, Patiala declared as the second runners up. Panjab University won a total of 46 medals while Savitribai Phule Pune University won 37 medals including 17 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze medals.

Punjabi University, Patiala won 33 medals including 13 gold, 6 silver, and 14 bronze medals. A total of 113 universities took part in the games.

The prestigious Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament has been postponed from April to September this year in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak across the world. In a statement, the organisers said, the tournament which was scheduled to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 11 to 18, will now be held from September 24 to October 3.

India, a regular at the event, was not supposed to participate this year. The Azlan Shah Cup is an annual men's international invitational field hockey tournament. The participating teams in this edition's tournament were Australia, Canada, Japan, hosts Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea.

A week-long Ekam Fest began in New Delhi yesterday to promote craftsmanship and products of Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs.

Around 80 Divyang entrepreneurs, artisans and organizations from 18 States and Union Territories are displaying products and various crafts. EKAM Fest is an effort for promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge among Divyangjans and provides a platform for marketing. Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot inaugurated the fair.

Speaking on the occasion, Thaawarchand Gehlot said, EKAM Fest is an effort for promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge among the Divyangjan community and providing a major marketing opportunity to persons with disabilities entrepreneurs.