Bharat Today – April 12, 2025 brings you a power-packed update of India’s top developments across governance, energy, science, culture, and youth initiatives. From Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s high-level security and climate preparedness reviews to landmark hydro energy approvals, global recognition for India’s ocean tech, and a massive nationwide youth padyatra honouring Dr. B.R. Ambedkar — this edition reflects a nation in motion, driven by innovation, inclusivity, and constitutional values.
Contents
🗞️ Top Headlines – April 12, 2025
🧭 PM Modi Leads from the Front: Security & Governance at the Core
- Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji chaired a high-level review meeting on security and development priorities in Jammu & Kashmir, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to stability and growth in the region.
- He also held a meeting to assess heatwave preparedness across the country with senior ministers including Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji, Ministers of Health, Power, Jal Shakti, Earth Sciences, and NDMA officials.
- The PM emphasized proactive citizen safety, inter-ministerial coordination, and early public advisories to mitigate the impact of heatwaves.
🏛️ Governance & Appointments
⚖️ New Chief Justice for J&K & Ladakh
In exercise of constitutional powers, the Hon’ble President of India appointed Justice Arun Palli, Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. He will assume office shortly.
⚡ Powering the Future
🔋 CEA Approves 7.5 GW Hydro Pumped Storage Projects
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Ministry of Power approved Detailed Project Reports for 6 Hydro Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) totaling 7.5 GW, a key milestone for India’s long-term energy storage:
- Upper Indravati (Odisha) – 600 MW
- Sharavathy (Karnataka) – 2,000 MW
- Bhivpuri & Bhavali (Maharashtra) – 2,500 MW
- MP-30 (Madhya Pradesh) – 1,920 MW
- Chitravathi (Andhra Pradesh) – 500 MW
The projects, mostly off-stream, closed-loop designs, are part of India’s clean grid transition. With 200+ GW potential identified, PSPs are poised to grow India’s energy storage exponentially.
🌊 Science & Innovation
🔬 India’s Underwater Acoustics Lab Gets Global Recognition
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Ji hailed the Underwater Acoustic Test Facility (ATF) at NIOT Chennai for receiving international certification and designation by BIPM, Paris, making it India’s official national lab in underwater acoustics.
- Calibrates hydrophones, modems & transducers for naval and civil uses.
- Matches global standards with strategic impact on ocean technology and maritime security.
- Partners include BEL, L&T, Tata Power, IITs & CSIR.
🌱 Energy & Sustainability
🌍 India Co-Leads Biorefinery Mission at Mission Innovation 2025
At the Mission Innovation Annual Gathering in Seoul, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) represented India as co-lead of the Mission Integrated Biorefinery alongside the Netherlands.
- India showcased the BioE3 Policy for sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials.
- Focus on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Bioenergy (CCUB).
- Roundtables emphasized biomass-based manufacturing and decarbonization opportunities through innovation.
🎶 Culture, Youth & Global Stage
🎧 Resonate: The EDM Challenge Finalists Announced
As part of Create in India and the lead-up to WAVES 2025, the Ministry of I&B and Indian Music Industry (IMI) shortlisted 10 artists for the Resonate: EDM Challenge finale in Mumbai (May 1–4, 2025):
Finalists:
- Srikanth Vemula, Mayank Harish Vidhani, Aaditya Dilbaghi, Sumit Biltu Chakraborty (Mumbai), Kshitij Nagesh Khodwe (Pune), Aditya Upadhyaya (Assam), Devansh Rastogi (Delhi), Mark Ryan Syiemlieh (Mumbai), Dibyajit Ray (Assam), Nobajyoty Boruah (Mumbai)
Jury: Amey Jichkar & Anshuman Prajapati from Lost Stories Academy evaluated hundreds of global entries. The challenge enhances India’s emergence as a hub for EDM, music tech, and cultural innovation.
🌐 WAVES 2025 – India’s Creative Call to the World
The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) will be held in Mumbai, May 1–4, 2025. Hosted by the Government of India, WAVES positions India as a global M&E powerhouse, covering:
🎥 Films, VFX, AR/VR/XR
📺 Broadcasting, Digital & Social Media
🎮 Gaming, Comics
🎵 Sound & Music
📡 Generative AI, Tech Innovations
🕊️ Nation & Society
🪔 Jai Bhim Padyatra: Youth March for Equality
To commemorate Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Ji will lead the ‘Jai Bhim Padyatra’ in Patna on April 13, with 10,000+ MY Bharat volunteers.
- First time nationwide padyatra across state capitals.
- Events include Ambedkar statue cleaning, Preamble readings, street performances, and live art tributes.
- MoS Smt. Raksha Khadse to lead Mumbai padyatra.
- Part of 24 padyatras commemorating 75 years of the Constitution.
📢 Youth can register via www.mybharat.gov.in to join the movement for justice, dignity, and unity.
✈️ International Ties
🕋 India Preps for Haj 2025
Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, is currently in Saudi Arabia to oversee Haj 2025 preparations. He expressed satisfaction with arrangements for a hygienic, stress-free pilgrimage experience for Indian pilgrims.
