National New
ICCR Celebrates 75 Years of Cultural Diplomacy in Dhaka
- The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) celebrated its 75th anniversary on April 9, 2025, at the Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka, highlighting its legacy since 1950 in promoting India’s cultural heritage, enhancing cultural diplomacy, and fostering India-Bangladesh ties.
- The event featured traditional performances, showcasing rich artistic and educational exchanges.
- ICCR’s presence in Bangladesh includes the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (2011) and Indian Cultural Centre (2021), hosting diverse activities like music, dance, films, and workshops.
International News
Mauritius Becomes First African Country to Sign ISA’s Country Partnership Framework
- Mauritius has become the first African nation and the fourth globally (after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba) to sign the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking a major step in its clean energy transition.
- The CPF, a strategic document by ISA, will guide long-term cooperation on solar energy, aligning with Mauritius’ sustainable development and energy security goals, through innovative, scalable solar solutions and a customized Country Partnership Strategy (CPS).
State News
Kavach 5.0 To Boost Mumbai Local Train Services by 30%
- Kavach 5.0, the next-gen Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, was announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to boost Mumbai’s suburban rail services by 30% by reducing the train headway.
- Set to be developed by December 2025, Kavach 5.0 enhances safety, supports loco pilots with auto-braking, and ensures smoother operations even in adverse weather.
- With an investment of ₹17,000 crore, the upgrade aims to benefit ~80 lakh daily commuters, increasing frequency from the current 3,500 trains/day through better infrastructure, technology, and service delivery.
Madhya Pradesh Declares New Wildlife Sanctuary Named After Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- The Madhya Pradesh government has declared a new wildlife sanctuary named Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran in Sagar district, covering 258.64 sq km, ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti.
- Spanning the North Sagar Forest Division including Banda and Shahgarh tehsils, the sanctuary aims to boost wildlife conservation, promote eco-tourism, and create employment opportunities.
- Named in honor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, it symbolizes a fusion of social reform and environmental protection, making it the 25th wildlife sanctuary in the “Tiger State of India”.
Business News
Razorpay Launches Turbo UPI Plugin to Revolutionize Digital Payments
- Razorpay, in collaboration with NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) and Axis Bank, has launched the Turbo UPI Plugin on the BHIM Vega platform on April 9, 2025.
- This innovation enables in-app UPI payments without external redirection, ensuring faster, safer, and more reliable transactions.
- By eliminating the need to switch apps, it aims to reduce payment failures, boost conversion rates, and set a new benchmark for digital payments in India.
Economy News
Industrial Production Slows to 6-Month Low of 2.9% in February 2025
- India’s IIP growth slowed to 2.9% in February 2025, marking the lowest pace in six months, due to weak performance in mining (+1.6%), manufacturing (+2.9%), and electricity (+3.6%), coupled with a high base effect.
- While most use-based sectors showed reduced output, capital goods stood out with a robust 8.2% growth.
- In contrast, consumer non-durables declined by –2.1%, and month-on-month momentum dropped across all segments after a 5-month positive streak.
Awards News
Dr. Ambrish Mithal Conferred with the Prestigious IOF 2025 CSA Medal of Achievement
- Dr. Ambrish Mithal, a renowned Indian endocrinologist, has been awarded the 2025 IOF CSA Medal of Achievement at the WCO-IOF-ESCEO Congress in Rome for his exceptional work in osteoporosis research.
- Known for launching India’s first bone density measurement service in 1996, he has significantly advanced awareness and treatment of bone and mineral disorders, led key IOF initiatives, and shaped global vitamin D guidelines. Already a Padma Bhushan awardee (2015).
- Dr. Mithal continues to champion the fight against fragility fractures in India’s aging population.
Defense News
DRDO Successfully Conducts Release Trials of LRGB ‘Gaurav’ from Su-30 MKI
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted trials of the Gaurav Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) from April 8–10, 2025, using the Su-30 MKI aircraft.
- The 1,000 kg bomb demonstrated pin-point accuracy at a range of approximately 100 km, marking a significant stride in India’s indigenous air-launched weapon systems.
- Developed by RCI, ARDE, and ITR Chandipur, with support from CEMILAC and DGAQA, Gaurav was tested in multiple warhead configurations against land targets.
Ranks & Reports News
Singapore Airports Top The List World Airport Rankings 2025
- Asia dominates the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025, with Singapore Changi Airport crowned the World’s Best Airport for a record 13th time, also winning Best Airport Dining, Washrooms, and Best in Asia. Hamad International Airport (Doha) secured 2nd place, winning Best Airport in the Middle East and World’s Best Airport Shopping.
- Tokyo Haneda Airport ranked 3rd, honored as the World’s Cleanest Airport and Best Domestic Airport.
- Among Indian airports, Delhi IGI topped in India & South Asia, Bengaluru led as Best Regional Airport, Hyderabad for Staff Service, and Goa Manohar as the Cleanest (under 5 million passengers).
Sports News
Six Team Will Feature in Los Angeles Olympic 2028
- Cricket is set to make a historic return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, as confirmed by the IOC on April 9, 2025, after a gap of 128 years since its last appearance in the 1900 Paris Olympics.
- The event will feature T20 format matches with 6 teams each for men and women, a total athlete quota of 90 per gender (15 players per team).
- Alongside cricket, other newly added sports include Baseball/Softball, Flag Football, Lacrosse (Sixes), and Squash.
Virat Kohli Creates History: Becomes First Player to Score 1000 Fours and Sixes in IPL
- Virat Kohli created IPL history by becoming the first-ever player to hit a combined total of 1000 boundaries (721 fours and 279 sixes) during the RCB vs DC match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the 2025 season.
- Despite this historic milestone, Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a home defeat to a dominant Delhi Capitals side led by KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs.
James Anderson Awarded Knighthood Honour
- James Anderson, England’s legendary fast bowler, was awarded a knighthood on April 11, 2025, in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours for his services to cricket.
- He retired in 2024 with 704 Test wickets, the highest by any England bowler and seamer, ranking 3rd all-time behind Muralitharan and Warne.
- Anderson played 188 Tests and took 991 international wickets, also winning four Ashes.
Obituaries News
Padma Shri Awardee Daripalli Ramaiah (“Vanajeevi”) Dies at 87 in Telangana
- Daripalli Ramaiah, also known as “Vanajeevi” or “Chettu Ramaiah”, was a renowned environmentalist from Telangana who passed away at 87. He was celebrated for planting over 1 crore saplings in Khammam district, earning him the Padma Shri in 2017.
- Ramaiah believed that human survival depends on nature, and his grassroots efforts inspired widespread societal engagement in environmental conservation.
- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed condolences, calling his death an “irreparable loss”.
Miscellaneous News
Meghalaya Weaves Its Way to Global Fame with GI Tag for Ryndia & Khasi Handloom
- The Government of India has granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags to Ryndia Silk and Khasi Handloom from Meghalaya, enhancing their cultural identity, legal protection, and marketability.
- Ryndia Silk, known for being hand-spun, naturally dyed, and organically produced, is linked to Umden-Diwon, Meghalaya’s first Eri Silk Village.
- Khasi Handloom reflects the Khasi community’s traditional weaving with natural dyes. The GI recognition, officially granted on April 7, 2025, was supported by the Meghalaya Textiles Department, NABARD, Dr. Rajnikanth, and the Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Association, with a delegation led by Frederick Roy Kharkongor.
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