Project Chetak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 47th Raising Day at Bikaner in Rajasthan yesterday, marking over four decades of dedicated service in the strategically important regions of the western sector.

The Ministry of Defence, in a statement, said that on this day in 1980, the project played a vital role in developing and maintaining infrastructure in Rajasthan, Punjab and the northern parts of Gujarat. It added that infrastructures constructed by BRO are connecting border areas, and it is contributing to national security as well as regional development.

The Ministry noted that with its motto “Chetak ka Prayas, Desh ka Vikas”, Project Chetak is one of the largest projects of the BRO in terms of geographical area. The project has covered more than 4 thousand kilometres of road network and 2 hundred 14 kilometers of Ditch Cum Bund. It supports the Defence Forces by maintaining key feeder roads towards the International Border, with continuous efforts underway to upgrade them to National Highway Double Lane specifications.

Divya Singh, a 28-year-old teacher from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman and second woman globally to reach the Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC) on a bicycle. Starting her journey from Kathmandu, she successfully reached the base camp at an altitude of 17,560 feet after a gruelling 14-day expedition.

During the journey, she battled freezing temperatures reaching as low as -12°C, thinning oxygen levels, and high-velocity winds. Singh cycled for 10 to 12 hours daily through rugged mountain paths, including steep climbs and uneven trails. In areas where the terrain was impassable, she carried her bicycle on her shoulders rather than turning back. Her path from Kathmandu included challenging stretches through Saleri, Surke, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Lobuche, and finally Gorakshep before reaching the base camp.

Researchers have created a nanoscale structure that traps infrared light in a layer just 40 nanometres thick--over 1,000 times thinner than a human hair. By using a unique material with exceptional light-bending properties, they can confine and intensify light far beyond previous limits.

This setup also dramatically boosts light conversion effects, turning infrared into visible blue light. The advance could pave the way for smaller, faster photonic technologies.

Researchers from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw, working with teams from the Lodz University of Technology, the Warsaw University of Technology, and the Polish Academy of Sciences, have created a structure capable of trapping infrared light in a layer just 40 nanometres thick.

Coforge is reshaping its leadership structure as it sharpens its focus on execution and AI-led transformation across its global operations.

Elevates leadership role

Coforge has promoted Sunil Fernandes to the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Previously serving as Executive Vice President and Global Delivery Head, Fernandes will now oversee global delivery along with key operational functions, including administration, facilities, and internal IT services. He will continue reporting to CEO Sudhir Singh, ensuring leadership continuity.

India has sent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief materials to Afghanistan, which is currently facing a difficult situation due to recent floods and earthquakes. In a social media post, External Affairs Ministry said that the aid includes kitchen sets, hygiene kits, plastic sheets, tarpaulins, sleeping bags, and other essential items. The ministry said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and remains fully committed to extending humanitarian assistance and support during this challenging time.

Bangladesh is conducting emergency measles-rubella vaccinations while trying to contain an ongoing outbreak that has killed more than 100 children in less than a month.

The government, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, the UN children's agency and the Gavi vaccine alliance, began working to vaccinate children aged 6 months to 5 years old in 18 high-risk districts on Sunday and will expand nationwide in phases from next month, a joint statement said.

A UNICEF official said the agency was deeply concerned about the sharp rise in cases, which was putting the youngest and most vulnerable children at serious risk.

"This resurgence highlights critical immunity gaps, particularly among zero-dose and under-vaccinated children, while infections among infants under nine months, who are not yet eligible for routine vaccination, are especially alarming," said Rana Flowers, the agency's representative in Bangladesh.

Campbell Wilson has stepped down as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air India, news agency PTI has reported. Wilson had taken charge as CEO and Managing Director in July 2022, after former Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci opted out of the role earlier that year amid controversy.

The Tata Group had completed its acquisition of the airline from the government in January 2022.

Wilson had communicated his intention to resign to the board before formally stepping down. An official statement from Air India on the development was still awaited.

Earlier this year, another source had indicated that the Tata Group had begun searching for a successor, with Wilson’s five-year term originally scheduled to run until 2027.

India has marked a major milestone in its nuclear energy programme as indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained criticality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the landmark achievement. In a social media post last night, PM Modi said, India is taking a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of country’s three-stage nuclear programme.

Highlighting the technological significance of the reactor, the Prime Minister said that this advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel than it consumes, reflects the depth of the nation’s scientific capability and the strength of its engineering enterprise. The Prime Minister also called this a decisive step towards harnessing India’s vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. Calling it a proud moment for India, PM Modi congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the project.

Over the next week, four gaganyatris (astronauts) will undergo an intense battery of tests wherein their physical, physiological, and mental strengths will be assessed in the backdrop of extreme living conditions in Ladakh.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Friday announced the launch of Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) to take place between April 2-9 in Leh. Results obtained from Mission MITRA will contribute towards designing and developing India’s manned Gaganyaan mission.

As part of this mission, four astronaut-designates – Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap – will be tested for their physiological, psychological, and operational dynamics under the behavioural set of tests. In addition, they will be observed for their abilities to communicate, adapt, and handle stress, and their resilience to extreme conditions, Isro said.

Painted in the 1890s, when Raja Ravi Varma was at the height of his prominence, the canvas ‘Yashoda and Krishna’ sold for a remarkable Rs 167.20 crore at Saffronart’s Spring Live Auction, setting a new world record for the highest value a work of Indian art ever sold at an auction.

The sale that took place in Mumbai on April 1 saw an intense bidding of seven minutes for the work that came from a private collection in Delhi and had a pre-sale estimate of ₹80–120 crore (USD 8.6–12.9 million). It was acquired by Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Managing director of the Serum Institute of India. In a release, he noted, “I am privileged to have the opportunity to acquire, preserve, and care for the iconic Raja Ravi Varma painting Yashoda and Krishna. This national treasure deserves to be made available for public viewing periodically, and it will be my endeavour to facilitate this going forward.”