India will be the Official Country of Honour at the upcoming Marche’ Du Film, organised alongside the Cannes Film Festival in France. The festival will be organised from the 17th of this month. This was announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur during a press conference in New Delhi.

He said that France and India are marking 75 years of their diplomatic ties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to Paris and meeting with President Macron takes even more significance in this context.

Mr Thakur said that it is in this significant diplomatic backdrop that India has been chosen as the ‘Country of Honour’ at Marche’ Du Film at the Cannes Film Festival. He said, this is for the first time that such an honour is being bestowed to any country.

A glittering closing ceremony drew curtains on yet another memorable edition of the Khelo India University Games 2021, which witnessed the country's young and aspiring athletes use the platform to bring laurels to their respective universities.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, chief guest for the closing ceremony, presented the overall champion's title to hosts Jain Deemed-to-be University, who ended their campaign with an impressive 20 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze medals. Lovely Professional University, Punjab won 17 gold medals, 15 silver, and 19 bronze. Defending Champions Panjab University ended third in the medal tally with 15 gold, 9 silver, and 24 bronze medals.

President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted people on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr. Extending his best wishes, the President said, during the holy month of Ramadan, devotees observe Roza and offer special prayers. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated as the month of Ramadan ends. He said, special importance is given to the distribution of food and food grains among the poor on this occasion. Mr Kovind said, this festival inspires people to strive for building a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous society. He urged the people to rededicate to the service of humanity and to improve the lives of the poor and needy.

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the nation on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr. Extending his heartiest greetings to the people, Mr. Naidu said, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, Eid-ul-Fitr is the celebration of sincere devotion, charity and gratitude to the almighty. He expressed his hope that the festival will strengthen the spirit of generosity and bring people closer to one another, binding them in friendship, brotherhood, love, and mutual respect. He wished that the pious and noble ideal associated with Eid-ul-Fitr will enrich people's lives with peace, harmony, and happiness.

India and Germany have signed joint declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration. The joint declaration was signed virtually between Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and Minister for Environment and Nature Conservation of Germany Steffi Lemke yesterday.  

Speaking on the occasion, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said, the joint declaration will provide the platform to further advance our partnership and support in areas like conservation and restoration, climate protection, and conservation of biodiversity. He said, this will also help in strengthening Indo-German Cooperation. Mr Yadav mentioned that the joint declaration will enable both the countries to successfully partner with each other and expand the bilateral cooperation in the areas of forest landscape restoration, environment, and climate change. 

India and Germany have signed joint declaration of Intent on Indo-German Hydrogen Task Force. The declaration was signed virtually yesterday between Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R.K Singh and German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Change Dr. Robert Habeck.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh said, India has emerged as one of the world leaders in energy transition with the fastest rate of growth of renewable energy capacities in the world. He emphasized that India has huge ambitions for energy transition and it will add 500 GigaWatt of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Mr Singh said, India is coming out with bids for green hydrogen. He invited German industry to come and compete in developing this ecosystem in India.

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya is being celebrated all over the country today. People believe that the festival brings good luck and success. On this day, people pray to deities to seek blessings and begin ventures to bring good fortune. Many people also buy gold on this day.

Parshuram Jayanti is also being celebrated across the country today. Lord Parshuram is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.  

In his Mann Ki Baat Programme on All India Radio, last month Prime Minister Narendra Modi had wished people on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and Parshuram Jayanti.

The 50 days countdown event for #IDY2022 was held today in historic Sivasagar today. The event was graced by Union Ayush Minister Sarbanand Sonwal , Assam CM Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma , Dr Mahendra Munjpara and other dignitaries.

Doordarshan has won ENBA Award 2021 for its TV series based on pet care namely ‘Best Friend Forever’ under the 14th edition of Exchange4media News Broadcasting Awards, ENBA Awards. Doordarshan's TV series has been selected for the best in-depth Hindi series.

The 'Best Friend Forever' TV series is a half-an-hour weekly live phone-in show on DD National, wherein two pet experts guide people on how to take care of pets and other pet-related issues.

The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant being built by the Cochin Shipyard Ltd will be handed over to the Indian Navy by August this year.

Addressing a press conference, Technical Director of the Cochin Shipyard Bijoy Bhaskar said, the final sea trial of the IAC will take place next month. 

He said, the yard is in the process of setting up a new drydock, with a 600-tonne gantry crane, capable of handling vessels up to Suezmax, aircraft carriers of 70,000 tonnes displacement, Jack-up rigs and LNG vessels.

The International Ship Repair Facility being established by the Shipyard will have a 6,000-tonne shiplift, six work stations, besides a total outfitting berth of 1,500 metres.

nion Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan released a mandate document for the National Curriculum Framework under the National Education Policy in Bengaluru today. The mandate document is the steping stone between National Educational Policy and National Curriculum Framework.

The Education Minister described the mandate document as a step forward towards formation of new National syllabus and textbooks. He informed that the curriculum for the first stage of National Curriculum Framework related to play school will be ready by the next Sarswati Pooja date.