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India to take part in Euronaval 2024 defence exhibition in France [30 Sep 2024]
India is among 104 countries invited to attend the world’s largest naval defence trade show that will be held in Paris from November 4-7. This year, there will be shows on innovative solutions to protect naval forces and maritime infrastructure against air and surface drones, next-generation anti-ship missiles, missile systems to destroy multiple hostile drones, and many other latest features to strengthen naval forces around the world. The event, focusing on innovation, sovereignty, and international cooperation, will bring together the key players in the Naval industry which includes shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, institutions, and experts. It offers a unique opportunity to discover the latest technological developments that will shape the navies of tomorrow.
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Mithun Chakraborty to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2022 [30 Sep 2024]
Actor Mithun Chakraborty, widely regarded as one of the most versatile figures in Indian cinema, will be honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2022. The announcement was made by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw. Mithun Chakraborty’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a celebrated film star has been one of determination and resilience. Born Gourang Chakraborty on June 16, 1950, in Kolkata, West Bengal, he earned national recognition with his very first film, Mrigayaa (1976), for which he won the National Film Award for Best Actor. An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Mithun went on to establish a lasting legacy in Indian cinema.
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Air Marshal S P Dharkar appointed as the next IAF Vice Chief [25 Sep 2024]
Air Marshal SP Dharkar, a distinguished fighter pilot, has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of Air Staff. He will succeed Air Marshal AP Singh, who is set to become the Chief of Air Staff. Dharkar will assume his new role once the Chief takes over. With more than 3,600 flying hours, Air Marshal Dharkar brings extensive experience. He is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun, the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, and the Air War College in the United States. Commissioned in June 1985, he has earned credentials as a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader, Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, and Air Force Examiner.
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ADB projects India’s growth at 7% for FY24, 7.2% for FY25 [25 Sep 2024]
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected India’s economic growth at 7% for the financial year 2024 and 7.2% for FY2025, stating that the country’s economy remains strong. ADB’s Country Director for India, Mio Oka, said that India has displayed resilience in the face of global geopolitical challenges and is set for steady expansion. Oka added that improvements in agriculture are expected to boost rural spending, complementing the robust performance of the industry and services sectors.
In its September edition of the Asian Development Outlook (ADO), ADB reported that a favorable monsoon across most regions of India is expected to lead to strong agricultural output, positively impacting the rural economy in FY2024. Additionally, the report holds an optimistic view of the industry and services sectors, private investments, and urban consumption for both FY2024 and FY2025.
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India Remains Nepal’s Largest Trading Partner [24 Sep 2024]
India continues to hold its position as Nepal’s largest trading partner, according to the latest Nepal Trade Statistics released by the Department of Customs. As of mid-September in the fiscal year 2024-25, Nepal’s trade deficit reached NPR 237.45 billion. Nepal currently maintains trade relations with 145 countries but has a trade deficit of over 100. Nepal faces the highest trade deficit among its neighbors with India and China, amounting to NPR 144.67 billion and NPR 51.80 billion, respectively. Nepal exports various goods to India, including hydroelectric power, resin, agricultural produce, yarn, pashmina shawls, hide and skins, handicrafts, and silver and gold jewelry. On the other hand, Nepal’s imports from India primarily consist of petroleum products, chemical fertilizers, salt, sugar, rice, vehicles, copper, and cotton, among other items.
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Sri Lanka President Dissanayake picks Harini Amarasuriya as PM [24 Sep 2024]
Sri Lanka’s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, named Harini Amarasuriya, a college professor and first-time lawmaker, as the new prime minister of the Indian Ocean island nation on Tuesday, making her the third woman to be appointed to the post. Dissanayake, 55, a Marxist-leaning firebrand politician, who was elected president in the election, was also scheduled to pick the rest of his cabinet.
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India achieves historic double gold at 2024 Chess Olympiad [23 Sep 2024]
The Indian contingent has secured double gold medals in both the open and women’s categories at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. This historic achievement has drawn widespread acclaim, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating the teams for their stellar performances. India’s maiden gold in the open section came after Arjun Erigaisi’s decisive win against Slovenia’s Jan Subelj in the final round. India’s title was confirmed after second-placed China dropped critical points in their fixture against the USA, allowing India to clinch the gold. The open category team featured prominent chess players, including Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, and Srinath Narayanan. Prior to this victory, India’s best achievements in the open section were bronze medals in 2014 and 2022.
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Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India’s official entry for the 97th Oscars [23 Sep 2024]
India has officially selected ‘Laapataa Ladies’ as its entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. The film, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, aims to spotlight significant social issues while representing Indian cinema on the global stage. ‘Laapataa Ladies’ explores themes of gender equality and women’s empowerment in rural India. The film follows the story of two brides who are inadvertently switched during a train journey in 2001.
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Quad launches MAITRI maritime initiative in Indo-Pacific; India to host first training workshop in 2025 [23 Sep 2024]
India will host the inaugural symposium of the new regional maritime initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), to train Quad partners “to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behavior.” The first MAITRI workshop will be hosted by India in 2025, said Nancy Izzo Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs. The MAITRI initiative was among the major outcomes of the sixth summit-level meeting of the Quad group of countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Delaware. The initiative highlights the Quad’s commitment to regional security and capacity building, particularly in the maritime domain.
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Quad launches MAITRI maritime initiative in Indo-Pacific; India to host first training workshop in 2025 [23 Sep 2024]
India will host the inaugural symposium of the new regional maritime initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), to train Quad partners "to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behavior". The first MAITRI workshop will be hosted by India in 2025, said Nancy Izzo Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs.
The MAITRI initiative was among the major outcomes of the sixth summit-level meeting of the Quad group of countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Delaware. The initiative highlights the Quad’s commitment to regional security and capacity building, particularly in the maritime domain. It also builds on the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), a previous initiative designed to deliver maritime domain awareness information to partners. With MAITRI, countries in the Indo-Pacific can better enforce their maritime laws and deter unlawful activities.