Selected applicants include 7 foreign groups; second edition of PLI scheme likely for garment makers
The government has selected a total of 61 applicants under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles, to promote production of man made fibre (MMF) fabrics & apparels and technical textiles, with a proposed investment of ₹19,077 crore.

The mineral production has recorded 13.2 percent cumulative growth during April to February in the last financial year. Coal Ministry said, the index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of February this year was 4.5 percent higher as compared to February last year.

The production level of important minerals in February this year were - Coal 795 lakh tonnes, Lignite 47 larkh tonnes, Petroleum (crude) 23 lakh tonnes, Chromite 373 thousand tonnes and Gold 125 kilogram.

Today is Good Friday. It is observed to commemorate the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. On this day Jesus Christ sacrificed his life out of love for everyone and while suffering for the sins of humanity. On the occasion of Good Friday, people wish one another strength and happiness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today remembered the courage and sacrifices of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, his ideals of service and brotherhood are the guiding light for several people.

AIR correspondent reports that Good Friday is the Friday before Easter, on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. From the early days of Christianity, Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted people on Poila Boishakh and Vishu. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, this special occasion manifests the outstanding Bengali culture. He hoped that the coming years brings with it joy, peace and prosperity. 

Mr. Modi has greeted on the special occasion of Vishu, especially to the Malayalis settled across the world. In a tweet, Mr Modi prayed for a year filled with utmost happiness and good health.

Government will launch e-Sanjeevani Tele-consultation facility at one lakh centers tomorrow on the occasion of 4th anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness. In a tweet, Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, now the common citizens will also be able to take advice from the big doctors of the country. He said, government is strengthening the primary healthcare network with Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre.

More than one lakh 17 thousand Health and Wellness Centre have been operationalized in the country so far. 

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday conferred the International Gandhi Award for Leprosy, 2021 to Dr. Bhushan Kumar of Chandigarh and Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust, Gujarat at a function in New Delhi. The annual award was instituted by Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naidu lauded the efforts of the recipients and said that both Dr. Bhushan Kumar and Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust have been working diligently to raise awareness about leprosy and in providing care to those afflicted with it.  

The Vice President also called for intensified efforts for early detection of leprosy cases, equitable access to appropriate treatment and integrated leprosy services. Mr. Naidu urged the people and civil society organizations to join the campaign to eradicate leprosy. He said, there should be social mobilization in support of this noble cause. He also wanted Gram Sabhas to include leprosy eradication in their programmes.

The grateful nation paid homage and tributes to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh massacre on the 103rd Anniversary on Wednesday through different special programmes organised across the country. At Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab, a special function was held to pay homage to the martyrs who lost their lives in the massacre during the English rule on 13th April 1919. BJP General Secretary and party in-Charge of Punjab Affairs Dushyant Gautam, BJP leader Shweta Malik, Congress Member Parliament Gurjit Aujla, former Deputy Chief Minister Om Parkash Soni, former Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla along with other political leaders, families of martyrs, social organisations and large number of people participated and paid respects to the martyrs.

The homage programme started this afternoon with playing of hooter. Two minutes' silence was observed in the memory of martyrs. The contingent of Punjab Police saluted the martyrs by reversing their arms. The Punjab Police band also played patriotic tunes to pay homage.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday released guidelines for pursuing two academic programmes simultaneously.  According to the guidelines, the student can pursue two full-time academic programmes simultaneously in physical mode provided that class timings for one programme do not overlap with another. A student can also pursue two academic programmes, one in full-time physical mode and another in Distance Learning or Online mode simultaneously. The degree or diploma programmes under Online mode will be pursued with only such higher education institutions which are recognized by UGC or the Central Government for running such programmes. The UGC said, no retrospective benefit can be claimed by the students who have already done two academic programmes simultaneously prior to the notification of these guidelines.

Keeping in view the objectives envisaged in the National Education Policy, the guidelines aimed at recognizing, identifying, and fostering the unique capabilities of each student, by sensitizing teachers as well as parents to promote each student’s holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres. It also has the objective that there should be no hard separations between arts and sciences, curricular and extra-curricular activities, vocational and academic streams in order to eliminate harmful hierarchies among and silos between different areas of learning.  

The nation pays homage to the Chief Architect of Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar on his 131st birth anniversary today. Several functions have been organised throughout the country to mark the occasion. Floral tributes will be paid at Babasaheb's Statue in the Parliament House Complex this morning.

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar donned many hats, being social reformer, economist, politician, who dedicated his life for the people. Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar worked steadfast throughout his life to end social and caste discrimination against the marginalised sections of the society. From a humble beginning, he went on to become the first law and justice minister of independent India. He was awarded India’s highest civilian honour the Bharat Ratna in 1990 posthumously.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya at 11 AM today. The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is built at Delhi's Teen Murti Estate and covers the lives and contributions of all the 14 former Prime Ministers of the country.
 
Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is a tribute to honour the contributions of all the former Prime Ministers.
 
It is an inclusive endeavour aimed at sensitizing and inspiring the younger generation about the leadership, vision and achievements of all Prime Ministers of the country.