The fifth Scorpène submarine, Vagir of Project - 75 Kalvari Class submarines has been delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai. Defence Ministry said, the submarine would shortly be commissioned into the Navy and enhance its capability.

Project-75 includes the indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with Naval Group, France.

Arnala, the first ship of the ASW SWC Project, being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, GRSE for the Indian Navy was launched yesterday, December 20 at Kattupalli, Chennai. She made her first contact with the water of the Bay of Bengal at 1040 hrs at the launch ceremony graced by Rasika Chaube, Financial Adviser, Ministry of Defence.

In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Ms Chaube launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda. The ship has been named Arnala to signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the island of Arnala located about 13 Km north of Vasai, Maharashtra by the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has launched one of India’s first-ever Surety Bond Insurance products from Bajaj Allianz. Commenting on the product launch, Mr Gadkari said, India is well on its path to becoming a five Trillion dollar economy and achieving the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, insurance will play an important role in this growth. The Minister expressed confidence that expanding our road network will lead to more prosperity, increased employment opportunities, and increased social connectivity. He said, Surety Bond Insurance is the right step in this direction. Surety Bond Insurance will act as a security arrangement for infrastructure projects and will insulate the contractor as well as the principal. 

India and Netherlands held 11th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi yesterday, where both sides discussed the way forward in crucial sectors such as Water, Agriculture and Health (WAH agenda), Science and Technology, climate innovation, and renewable technologies. Considering that the Netherlands is India's third-largest export partner in Europe, both sides are looking forward to strengthening their trade ties through the Joint Trade and Investment Committee Meeting next year.

Both the countries have also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including Afghanistan, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, European Union, United Nations, and climate action. The re-launch of  Free Trade Agreement negotiations and Connectivity partnership between India and EU were acknowledged as key drivers by both sides. Both countries also committed to early implementation of the outcomes of the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021.

Sashastra Seema Bal is commemorating its ‘59th Raising Day’ today with the commitment to a safe, secure, and prosperous India.

Sashastra Seema Bal, SSB is a border guarding force of India, which guards the nation’s border with Nepal and Bhutan. It is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces and it works under the administration of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the aftermath of the 1962 India-China war, it was felt that the borders of India should need an additional force along with the Tri-Forces (Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force).

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today commissioned INS Mormugao, a P15B stealth-guided missile destroyer, into the Indian Navy in Mumbai. Governor of Goa Sridharan Pillai, Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant, CDS General Anil Chauhan and CnC Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh along with other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the "Grih Pravesh" programme in Agartala for more than two lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban and Rural schemes.

Addressing a rally in Agartala Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Tripura is now elevated to a new height of development with various projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth over 6,800 crore rupees in Tripura and Meghalaya. Mr Modi was on a day-long visit to the two states yesterday. In Tripura, the Prime Minister launched projects worth 4,350 crore rupees. The projects include 'Grih Pravesh' programme for beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Rural.

In his address, Mr Modi said, in the last eight years, many national highways have been constructed in the northeast and several rural areas are also connected by roads. He said, the government is dedicated towards the improvement of the lives of tribal communities. In Meghalaya, the Prime Minister unveiled projects worth over 2,450 crore rupees.

Union Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the Prashasan Gaon ki Ore, a nationwide campaign under the Good Governance Week 2022 in New Delhi today. He will also launch the Good Governance Week portal,
www.pgportal.gov.in

In the 5 days campaign, over 300 New Services identified by District Collectors across the country will be added for Online Service Delivery.

The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill will amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, for inclusion of Hattee community of Trans Giri area of Sirmour, in the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the State of Himachal Pradesh.

Replying to the discussion, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said, inclusion of Hattee community to the Scheduled Tribes list gets them long pending justice. He said, the border sharing people from four blocks of Tran Giri of Himachal Pradesh have their relatives identified as Scheduled Tribes in Uttarakhand. Responding to the members, he said it is the responsibility of respective Governments to ensure no tribal land alienation takes place in their States. He also listed the number of initiatives the Tribal Affairs ministry has taken up in the field of health and education in tribal dominant areas.