Author: Rishabh Sharma

DEVBHOOMI, UTTARAKHAND — Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the sacred opening of the Shri Kedarnath Dham portals today, signaling the official commencement of the annual Chardham Yatra. Following Vedic rituals and traditional ceremonies, the doors were opened to thousands of waiting pilgrims. To commemorate the occasion, the Prime Minister shared a personal letter addressed to all devotees, expressing his reverence for the spiritual heritage of the region and extending his best wishes for a safe pilgrimage. A Celebration of Unity and Faith In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister described the pilgrimage as more than just…

NEW DELHI — Addressing the 18th Civil Services Day, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda declared a major offensive against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which currently contribute to 60% of India’s annual mortality. Nadda outlined a massive infrastructural and diagnostic expansion aimed at transforming the country’s health landscape through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs. Strengthening the Grassroots The Minister noted that the government has successfully established a network of 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These centers serve as the first line of defense, staffed by ASHA workers and frontline health personnel to ensure that the nation’s 1.45…

NEW DELHI — In a major administrative assignment, Sonal Swaroop, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as the Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration for Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

NEW DELHI — Sheodan Singh Bhadoriya, a 2000-batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), has been empanelled for Joint Secretary or equivalent level posts under the Government of India. The approval, granted by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), marks a significant milestone in the senior officer’s career.

NEW DELHI — Dr. Vikrant Pandey, a 2005-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, has been officially empanelled for Joint Secretary or equivalent positions within the Government of India. The decision by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) paves the way for the senior bureaucrat to transition into a leadership role at the Union level.

SHIMLA — A specialized two-day workshop titled “Heritage of Ancient Writing Traditions in the Western Himalaya” commenced today at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Nivas. The event, running from April 21–22, 2026, aims to revitalize the study and preservation of the unique linguistic heritage of Himachal Pradesh. The workshop focuses on the evolution and conservation of manuscripts written in scripts such as Pabuchi, Tankri, Pandavani, and Chandvani—all of which trace their roots back to the ancient Sharada script. Preserving the Indian Knowledge System Academics and researchers at the event emphasized that these manuscripts are more than just…

MUNNAR — India and Bhutan successfully concluded the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting held in Munnar, Kerala, on April 20–21, 2026. Co-chaired by Mr. Yogendra Garg (CBIC, India) and Mr. Sonam Jamtsho (Ministry of Finance, Bhutan), the meeting focused on streamlining cross-border trade and enhancing security protocols. The bilateral relationship remains robust, with India serving as Bhutan’s largest trading partner. Trade between the two nations surged by 46% in FY 2024–25, exceeding $1.9 billion. Key Outcomes and Discussion Areas As a landlocked nation, Bhutan relies heavily on the 10 notified land customs stations in West Bengal and Assam.…

NEW DELHI — Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti. In his tribute, Shah hailed the 8th-century philosopher as the “life force of Sanatan culture” and a pivotal figure in the unification of India. The Home Minister emphasized that Adi Shankaracharya appeared at a critical juncture in Indian history, a time when the nation’s cultural and religious fabric was facing significant external and internal challenges. Reviving Vedic Wisdom and Unity Shah highlighted several key contributions of the Jagadguru that continue to define the…

BENGALURU — State-run engineering major BEML Limited has bagged a significant contract worth approximately ₹590 crore from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The order, announced on Tuesday, involves the supply of trawl assemblies, reinforcing BEML’s role as a critical partner in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem. The company confirmed the development in a regulatory filing, noting that the contract was secured in the “normal course of business.” Enhancing Land Systems Capabilities The trawl assemblies provided by BEML are vital for armored vehicle operations, specifically designed for mine-clearing and ensuring safe passage for tank columns in hostile terrain. Indigenous Production: The…

MUMBAI — The Board of Rishabh Digha Steel & Allied Products Limited has officially extended the tenure of Shri Jigar Rajendra Sheth as an Independent Director.