High-Speed Broadband to Drive Rural Development Across India

by Latest UpdatesTechnology

Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under Department of Telecommunications (DoT), signed a MoU with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for Digital Rural Empowerment for rural areas of the across the country. The objective of the MoU is to drive rural development in institutions supported by NABARD, by providing access to digital services, digital governance, and promoting a digital economy through high-speed broadband connectivity under BharatNet program.

The key areas of this collaboration include:

Reference Data Sharing: NABARD will share information including geo-coordinates and contact details of institutions and DBN will share geo-coordinates of BharatNet Point of Presence (PoP) locations in Gram panchayats (GPs) from where high-speed broadband connectivity to be extended to rural institutions/enterprises.

Digital Content Sharing: Both parties will share digital content (audio/video/text) related to their schemes and projects with each other.

Digital Services Integration: Both parties will share information on their digital services/citizen-centric applications/portals/e-governance platforms for further integration and dissemination of information.

Awareness and Capacity Building: Both parties will collaborate on awareness programs and capacity-building measures for start-ups, entrepreneurs, and rural institutions.

High-speed Broadband Access to Enable Digital Economy: Both parties will promote each other’s efforts to enable a digital economy by leveraging high-speed broadband connectivity using BharatNet.

Inclusion of ICT Infrastructure: NABARD will promote the inclusion of ICT infrastructure, including broadband access support to institutions under their schemes and projects.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), Sh. Niraj Verma, Administrator, DBN, Sh. Sanjiwan Sinha, Project Director (PMU), DBN, Sh. Robert Ravi, CMD, BSNL, Sh. Shaji K.V, CMD, NABARD and Sh. Sanjay Kumar Gupta, CGM, NABARD.

DBN has been instrumental in enabling high-speed broadband and mobile connections across Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. This collaboration, through high-speed broadband connectivity under BharatNet will further provide digital impetus to the institutions such as Primary Agriculture Co-operative Credit Societies, etc. supported and computerized by NABARD.

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan inaugurates ‘Techkriti 2025’, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival at IIT Kanpur

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In his address, Gen Anil Chauhan emphasized the importance of embracing technological advancements, strategic thinking and adaptability to meet future security challenges. He inspired the young audience comprising scholars, students and NCC Cadets by highlighting the values of Discipline & Resilience, Courage & and Sacrifice. His encouraging words at Techkriti 2025 motivated students to pursue careers in defence and technology. The inaugural ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AOC-in-C, Central Air Command and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director IIT Kanpur. 

This year’s theme, “Panta Rhei” (Everything Flows), highlights the continuous evolution of technology and innovation. Techkriti 2025 promises to be a remarkable celebration of technology, entrepreneurship and collaboration, pushing the boundaries of discovery and innovation. A special segment, ‘Rakshakriti’, a dedicated Defence Expo to showcase the cutting-edge defence technology, was a key feature of Techkriti 2025. 

Driving further synergy between armed forces, academia and defence industry, Gen Anil Chauhan interacted with budding technologists. The event provided a sound platform to connect researchers with industry leaders, enabling the development of advanced technologies like autonomous drones, strengthening national security and reducing import dependence.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, inaugurated Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival, at IIT Kanpur. In a Fireside Chat, the CDS gave insights on the need for advancement and modernisation in the Indian Armed Forces and shared his perspectives on preparing for emerging challenges of Future Wars, specifically in the Cyber, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum and Cognitive domains.

 

SJVN successfully hosted its first Customer Meet in New Delhi

by EnergyLatest Updates

SJVN successfully hosted its first Customer Meet in New Delhi.

The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest Sh. V. K. Singh, Member Secretary, Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC), in the august presence of Sh. R.K. Chaudhary, CMD (Additional Charge), Sh. Sushil Sharma, Director (Projects), Sh. Prem Prakash, CVO and senior representatives from various State DISCOMs.

In his welcome address, Sh. R.K. Chaudhary acknowledged the pivotal role of stakeholders in shaping SJVN’s journey of over three decades. He highlighted that the Customer Meet serves as a platform to engage with beneficiaries, understand their challenges and explore innovative solutions together.

He also reiterated the company’s Shared Vision of achieving 50,000 MW by 2040 and its objective of delivering reliable, sustainable and affordable power to meet the country’s growing energy needs.

The Chief Guest of the occasion, Sh. V. K. Singh, Member Secretary of NRPC, in his inaugural address underlined the importance of open dialogue and mutual understanding in navigating the evolving energy landscape and achieving national energy goals. He emphasized that such forums provide an excellent opportunity for strengthening the collective pursuit of a robust and sustainable power sector.

The Customer Meet aimed at strengthening engagement with beneficiaries and stakeholders while advancing shared goals of operational excellence, environmental sustainability and customer satisfaction.

The event featured discussions focused on adapting to the emerging power requirements of beneficiaries, improving service delivery mechanisms and building stronger institutional partnerships. It concluded with an interactive session where stakeholders shared valuable feedback and insights, paving the way for actionable outcomes and enhanced cooperation.

SJVN’s initiative marks a significant step towards fostering transparent, effective and future-ready engagement with its customers and stakeholders.

Bureau of Indian Standards launch Annual Programme for Standardisation 2025-26

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Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India, is set to release the Annual Programme for Standardisation (APS) for the year 2025-26. This follows stakeholder consultations conducted by BIS from March 5 to March 11, 2025 where representatives from 40 ministries and 84 industry associations participated and shared valuable insights and recommendations through brief presentations.

The APS 2025-26 will include both new standards to be developed and existing standards to be revised in the coming year. BIS has also introduced a digital interface that allows stakeholders to upload proposals and track their progress. This effort aligns with sustained efforts to boost the adoption rate of the more than 23,000 standards developed by BIS, ensuring globally accepted quality across various sectors.

Addressing the stakeholder meeting recently, Director General of BIS, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, urged representatives from ministries and industry associations to contribute actively to the development of the proposed standards and to nominate relevant experts whenever needed. He stated, “The Annual Programme for Standardisation 2025-26 will not only facilitate need-based standardisation with a focused strategic approach, ensuring that priority is given to subjects of special concern, but will also promote widespread adoption and seamless implementation of these standards.”

BIS works closely with ministries and industry associations through standardisation cells, aiming to identify gaps and participate in the formulation of national standards. Before the consultative meetings for preparing the APS for 2025-26, BIS conducted a comprehensive mapping exercise of Indian standards against various Government of India schemes and missions, along with a series of focus group meetings from August 24 to January 25.

The APS 2025-26 is expected to significantly enhance the formulation of priority standards, promoting wider adoption and seamless implementation across the manufacturing and service sectors.

Secretary, MoHUA chairs 1st meeting of CSMC under PMAY-U 2.0

by InfrastructureLatest Updates

Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) chaired the first meeting of the CSMC under PMAY-U 2.0 on 20th March 2025.

Proposals for construction of over 3.53 lakh houses have been approved at the meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0) on 20th March 2025.

A total of 3,52,915 lakh houses under Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC) and Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) components of PMAY-U 2.0 in 10 States/UTs, namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh has been sanctioned today.

The Scheme promotes women empowerment and among the houses approved on 20 March 2025 under PMAY-U 2.0, more than 2.67 lakh houses have been sanctioned for the women alone, including single women and widows along with 90 houses have been allotted to Transgenders. Out of the total sanctioned houses, 80,850 houses for SC beneficiaries, 15,928 for ST and 2,12,603 for the OBC category have been sanctioned, promoting inclusiveness and equality among different underprivileged groups.

Interestingly, in addition to the State share under PMAY-U 2.0, State Govt. of Uttar Pradesh is providing Rs. 30,000 to each senior citizen beneficiaries (who are more than 70-year-old) and ₹ 20,000 for each unmarried women (more than 40 years age), widow and separated female beneficiary.

PMAY-U 2.0 is currently in the implementation phase with MoAs signed between the Ministry and 31 States/UTs. MoUs have also been signed between the Ministry and Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) for implementation of the scheme. In addition, MoUs with more than 200 Primary Lending institutions have been signed with CNAs. A dedicated web portal has been developed by the Ministry to help beneficiaries apply for the scheme directly: https://pmaymis.gov.in/PMAYMIS2_2024/PmayDefault.aspx.

MoHUA has launched PMAY-U 2.0 ‘Housing for All’ Mission with effect from 01.09.2024 for implementation in urban areas across the country for 1 crore additional eligible beneficiaries. In pursuance to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Housing for All, PMAY-U 2.0, will address the housing needs of 1 crore urban poor and middle-class families in 5 years, ensuring that every citizen leads a better quality of life.

PMAY-U 2.0 is being implemented through four verticals – Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS). Eligible beneficiaries can avail benefits under any one vertical as per their choice and eligibility. Government Assistance of ₹2.30 lakh crore will be provided under the Scheme with an investment of ₹10 lakh crore. Families belonging to EWS/LIG/MIG segments, having no pucca house anywhere in the country, are eligible to purchase or construct a house under PMAY-U 2.0. Central Assistance of ₹2.50 lakh per housing unit is provided.

Shri Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary & Mission Director (JS&MD), Housing for All (HFA), Principal Secretaries from States/UTs, State/UT Mission Directors, senior officials of the Ministry and officers from States/UTs were also present via physical and virtual modes.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban was first launched in June 2015. Under the Scheme, 118.64 Lakh houses have been sanctioned while about 92 lakh houses have already been constructed and delivered to beneficiaries.

PMAY-U 2.0 ensure equity across different segments of population by addressing the housing requirements of slum dwellers, SC/STs, minorities, widows, Persons with Disabilities and other underprivileged sections of the society. Special focus will be given to Safai Karmi, street vendors identified under PMSVANidhi Scheme and different artisans under Pradhan Mantri-Vishwakarma Scheme, anganwadi workers, building and other construction workers, residents of slums/chawls and other groups identified during the operation of Scheme.

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal chairs meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament for Ministry of Power

by EnergyLatest Updates

The Meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Power was held in New Delhi last evening.

Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs chaired the meeting. Members of Parliament of various political parties from Lok Sabha and Rajya took part in the meeting.

The subject of the meeting was “National Electricity Plan -Transmission”.

During the meeting, Shri Manohar Lal highlighted that power is a critical component in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. He said that the National Electricity Plan provides the details of transmission system required to be added in the country during the period 2023 to 2032, commensurate with the generation capacity addition and growth of electricity demand in the country.

He also informed that the optimal utilization of generating capacity can be ensured with availability of adequate transmission system, which is the requirement of a reliable power system. As per the NEP- Transmission, about 1.91 lakh ckm of transmission lines and 1274 GVA of transformation capacity is planned to be added during the ten-year period (2023 to 2032).

National Electricity Plan-Transmission covering transmission plan till the year 2031-32 has been prepared by CEA. The Plan has been released in October, 2024. As per Section 3 of the Electricity Act, 2003, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has to prepare the National Electricity Plan in accordance with the National Electricity Policy.

In the meeting issues related to RoW(Right of way), new technologies in transmission, Cyber Security were also discussed.

Members of Parliament provided several suggestions concerning various initiatives and schemes. They also commended the initiatives and efforts of the power ministry in expansion of the transmission network in the country.

Shri Manohar Lal concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude to the participants for their valuable contributions. He further directed officials to take appropriate actions to incorporate the suggestions made by Members of Parliament and prioritize the welfare of the people.

DPIIT and YES BANK Partner to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem

by Banking & FinanceLatest Updates

In a significant move to bolster India’s startup ecosystem, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with YES BANK. This collaboration aims to foster innovation and provide crucial support to product startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country.

The partnership will leverage DPIIT’s Startup India initiative and YES BANK’s financial expertise to facilitate market linkages, funding access, mentorship, and infrastructure support for early-stage ventures. Startups will benefit from YES BANK’s HeadStartup program, which offers tailored banking and financial solutions, including working capital, credit access, and cash flow management. Additionally, they will gain access to YES BANK’s extensive network, strategic partnerships, and industry expertise, enabling them to scale operations and attract investments effectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating, “India’s manufacturing and startup ecosystem is at a transformative juncture, and partnerships like this play a crucial role in driving innovation-led growth. We are delighted to collaborate with YES BANK to offer emerging startups the right resources and opportunities to scale and thrive.”

The MoU was signed by Director, DPIIT, Dr. Sumeet Jarangal and Zonal Head, YES BANK, Rohit Aneja, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. This collaboration marks a significant step toward creating a robust and self-sustaining startup ecosystem in India.

Ministry of Ayush Takes Proactive Steps to Safeguard Public Health Regarding Heatwave

by Health and CommunityLatest Updates

In the wake of rising temperatures and India Meteorological Department (IMD) advisories issued to various regions, the Ministry of Ayush has initiated a nationwide sensitisation drive through its network of institutions spread across the country. The efforts aim to spread awareness about heatwave preventive measures.

Institutes and organisations under the Ministry of Ayush are conducting a range of activities to educate citizens about heatwave prevention, including awareness sessions, distribution of IEC materials etc. The drive emphasises tips and traditional wellness practices backed up by scientific evidence to help citizens stay safe during extreme heatwave conditions.

The Jamnagar-based Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) has taken proactive steps to shield the local population from the damaging effects of warming temperatures. As part of its ongoing commitment to public health, ITRA conducted a vital activity on March 20, 2025, to educate and protect residents—particularly those who visit its Outpatient Department (OPD) from the risks associated with heat epidemics.

Educational pamphlets were dispersed throughout the ITRA Hospital and the surrounding area during the campaign. These bilingual booklets provide important tips and practical guidance on preventing heat-related illnesses, such as drinking lots of water, avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours, and recognizing the early warning signs of heat stress. The program’s objective is to provide people with the knowledge they require.

Dr. Jayprakash Ram delivered an inspiring and informative lecture on Heatwave Awareness: Knowledge, Prevention, and Treatment. Hosted at RARI Ahmedabad, this vibrant event brought together OPD patients, their families, and the institution’s dedicated staff for a collective awakening to tackle the perils of loo (heatwave) with confidence and care.

Attendees engaged in lively discussions during the event, and many went home with pamphlets and a renewed determination to stay cool.

Dr. Preeti from the Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy, Jhajjar, guided patients and staff on Heatwave Awareness through the healing powers of Yoga & Naturopathy.

Addendum from Public Health Advisory from Ayush Vertical under Director General of Health Services regarding prevention of Heatwave

✨Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated. You can also include buttermilk, coconut water, and fruit juices to maintain fluid levels and stay cool.
✨Use Cooling Beverages: Incorporate naturally cooling drinks into your routine, such as coconut water, lemon juice, or fruit-based drinks. These help to lower body temperature and keep you refreshed.
✨Avoid Direct Sunlight: When going outside, use an umbrella or wear a wide-brimmed hat to minimize sun exposure. This helps prevent heatstroke and sunburn.
✨Eat Light Meals: Before leaving the house, opt for light, easy-to-digest meals. Avoid heavy or oily foods, as they can increase body heat.
✨Wear Appropriate Clothing: Dress in full-sleeved, loose-fitting clothes made from fabrics like cotton. This provides better protection against direct sunlight and helps to keep you cool.
✨Use Cooling Water Infusions: Prepare your drinking water with cooling ingredients like khus (vetiver), sariva (Indian sarsaparilla), jeera (cumin), and dhanyaka (coriander seeds). This can help reduce body heat.
✨Enjoy Sattu-based Refreshments: Consume sattu (a coarse powder made from roasted barley or Bengal gram) mixed with jaggery or rock salt for a cooling and refreshing treat.
✨Eat Cooling Snacks: Include foods like falsa (Indian blackberry), munakka (raisins), laja (parched paddy), and petha (candied ash gourd) in your diet for their cooling properties.
✨Apply Cooling Pastes: Use pastes made from aromatic medicinal plants like sandalwood and vetiver on your skin to help cool down during hot weather.
Include Hydrating Fruits and Vegetables: Consume fruits and vegetables that contain high water content, such as grapes, cucumber, watermelon, water chestnut, muskmelon, mango, and sugarcane juice. Bael sharbat is also an excellent option to beat the heat.
✨Drink Milk with Sugar: A simple way to stay hydrated and maintain energy is by drinking milk with added sugar.
✨Take a Midday Nap: Resting during the hottest part of the day can help reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and keep your energy levels up. A short nap can be refreshing and beneficial in hot weather

DONT’s

✨Avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day, typically between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
✨If you must be outside in the afternoon, avoid strenuous activities to prevent overheating and dehydration.
✨Do not go outside barefoot to avoid burning your feet on hot surfaces.
✨Avoid cooking during the hottest parts of the day. If you must cook, ensure proper ventilation by opening doors and windows to let in fresh air.
✨Reduce or avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks with high sugar content. These can lead to increased fluid loss or cause stomach cramps.
✨Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle, even for a short time. The temperature inside can rise rapidly to dangerous levels.

For more details on Addendum Public Health Advisory from Ayush Vertical under Director General of Health Services regarding : Extreme Heat/Heatwave, visit https://ayush.gov.in/resources/pdf/aechives/PublicHealthAdvisory.pdf

Sahitya Akademi will be organising “Festival of Letters 2025”

by Latest UpdatesTourism and Culture

Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution working under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will be organizing its annual Festival of Letters at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi from 7th March 2025 to 12th March 2025. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Government of India, will inaugurate the festival. Sri Mahesh Dattani, eminent English Playwright will be the chief guest of the award ceremony in which the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages will be presented and Sri Upamanyu Chatterjee, eminent Writer and Scholar will deliver this year’s Samvatsar Lecture.

This is Asia’s Largest Literature Festival with about 700 writers from different parts of the country representing more than 50 languages participating in the festival that spans over 100 sessions. The theme of the festival will be Indian Literary Traditions and a National Seminar on the topic featuring eminent thinkers and writers will be organized during the last three days of the festival.

The festival will feature Young Writers, Women Writers, Dalit Writers, Writers from North East, Tribal writers and poets, LGBTQ writers and poets along with many eminent writers, translators, publishers, poets and distinguished personalities from different walks of life and Festival of Letters continue its status as India’s Most Inclusive Literature Festival since 1985.

A daylong programme for children, Spin A Tale, will be organized on the final day of the festival. Throughout the festival, there will be presentations, readings and discussions by eminent authors, poets, translators, publishers and critics on a wide range of subjects.

On three evenings, cultural performances by eminent artists like Rakesh Chaurasia (flute recital), Nalini Joshi (Hindustani Vocal) and Fouzia Dastango and Ritesh Yadav (Dastan-e-Mahabharata) will be organized. The Festival of Letters is open and free for all the literary lovers and those who wish to taste the flavour of Indian’s longest running Literature Festival.

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment organizes Inaugural Batch of Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme

by Health and CommunityLatest Updates

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, successfully inaugurated the first batch of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme. The initiative, launched by Capacity Building Commission, aims at fostering a stronger sense of Seva Bhav (spirit of service) among government officials who are solution oriented, compassionate, and citizen-focused.

The programme features four short training sessions (approximately 1.5 hours each), designed to encourage open discussions, teamwork, and practical problem-solving through service-oriented narratives. The Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme at the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment will go on from 5th to 11th March 2025 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, DoSJE, who, in his address, emphasized the fundamental purpose of government service. He stated, “Many of us enter public service with a passion to make a difference. However, over time, daily routines and limited citizen interaction can make us lose sight of that purpose. This programme serves as a reminder of why we serve – to bring meaningful change in people’s lives. Every action taken by public servants contributes to the nation’s progress”.

Further, Shri Yadav highlighted the importance of personal development and self-fulfilment in public service. He emphasized that citizen interaction is at the heart of governance, and how officials engage with the public, address concerns, and resolve issues plays a pivotal role in effective administration. Speaking on the philosophy of the programme’s name, he added, “‘Karmayogi’ signifies our duty—towards our nation, our department, our citizens and ourselves. This initiative is an opportunity for every officer to develop leadership skills, adopt a solution-oriented approach, and embrace Seva Bhav in their roles.”

The training sessions are led by Master Trainers – Ms. Kajal Singh (Director) and Shri Puspendra Singh (Deputy Secretary), DoSJE, with support from Ms. Shipra Singh (Program Coordinator), Capacity Building Commission. The session witnessed active participation from attendees, who gained a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and its critical contribution to nation-building. The Vision and Mission of the department were discussed.

Insights from the successful implementation of the nationwide welfare initiatives and campaigns were referenced while discussing the training modules, providing participants with practical, real-world context. Additionally, key aspects of the department’s role in policy formulation, grievance redressal, legal frameworks, and enhancing ease of access to social justice schemes were deliberated in alignment with the programme’s objectives. This approach enabled participants to connect the learnings of the programme with their day-to-day responsibilities.