Today in Bharat – April-16-2025

Welcome to Today in Bharat – April-16-2025, your daily snapshot of the nation’s key developments. From impactful policy launches to transformative projects and significant official engagements, this series brings you the most relevant updates shaping Bharat today. Designed to keep you informed and rooted, each edition cuts through the clutter to highlight what truly matters — in governance, society, and everyday life.

✈️ Amravati Airport Inauguration Boosts Maharashtra’s Connectivity

Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji hailed the inauguration of Amravati airport as a significant development for Maharashtra, particularly the Vidarbha region. He emphasized that the operational airport will enhance commerce and connectivity in the area.

🔗 Source: Press Information Bureau

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🏛️ Uttar Pradesh Governor Meets Prime Minister

Uttar Pradesh Governor Smt Anandiben Patel Ji met with Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji on April 16, 2025, in New Delhi. The meeting was part of regular engagements between constitutional authorities.

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🇮🇳🤝🇫🇮 PM Modi & Finnish President Discuss Bilateral Ties​

Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb held a phone conversation to review ongoing cooperation in areas like digitalization, sustainability, and mobility. They emphasized strengthening ties in emerging technologies such as quantum computing, 5G/6G, AI, and cybersecurity, and also discussed regional and global issues, including the Ukraine situation.​

🔗 Source: PIB Press Release

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​📰 PM Highlights Dr. Ambedkar’s Economic Vision

On April 16, 2025, Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji shared an article by Union Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal Ji, emphasizing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Ji’s foundational economic ideas centered on justice, dignity, and self-reliance. The article underscores Ambedkar’s significant influence on India’s early economic frameworks.

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🧘‍♂️ Ministry of Ayush Hosts Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme​

On April 16, 2025, the Ministry of Ayush organized the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme at Ayush Bhawan, aiming to enhance the service orientation and professional skills of its employees. Conducted under the Mission Karmayogi framework in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission, the session featured interactive activities focusing on self-awareness, motivation, and leadership, utilizing case studies from Ayurveda and Yoga initiatives. This initiative underscores the Ministry’s commitment to building a responsive and efficient workforce.​

🔗 Source: Press Information Bureau

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🗳️ ECI Initiates First-Ever Training for Booth Level Agents (BLAs)

The Election Commission of India has launched its inaugural training program for approximately 280 Booth Level Agents from Bihar, representing 10 recognized political parties. Held at IIIDEM in New Delhi, this initiative aims to enhance grassroots electoral participation and ensure accurate electoral rolls ahead of upcoming state elections.

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🛡️ GeM Insures Over 1.3 Crore People in FY 2024-25​

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has insured over 1.3 crore individuals with health, life, and personal accident policies in FY 2024-25, while also facilitating the hiring of 1 million personnel. Launched in January 2022, GeM’s insurance services now cover a wide range of policies, including cyber, crop, and marine insurance, all sourced from IRDAI-approved providers.

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📈 India’s Exports Rise by 5.5% in FY 2024-25

India’s total exports (merchandise and services) reached $820.93 billion in FY 2024-25, marking a 5.5% increase from the previous year. Key contributors to this growth include coffee (up 40.37%), electronic goods (up 32.47%), and rice (up 19.73%).

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📚 Launch of ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’ 📖

The Ministry of Culture will release a compilation of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s speeches on Indian culture, titled Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay, on April 18, 2025, at IGNCA, New Delhi. The book highlights themes of tradition, spirituality, and heritage, and will be unveiled by Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj Ji, with Shri Harivansh Ji presiding over the event.

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🏅 Honouring Military Excellence: MacGregor Memorial Medal Awards 2023–24

On April 16, 2025, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan awarded the MacGregor Memorial Medal to five Armed Forces personnel for their exceptional contributions to military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure. The ceremony, held at the United Service Institution of India in New Delhi, recognized awardees from the Indian Air Force and Navy, including Col Ranvir Singh Jamwal Ji, who is currently on a mountaineering expedition to Mt. Kanchenjunga.​

The event also featured the launch of the book Bravest of the Brave, chronicling the heroic journey of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, AC, VrC, SM.

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🌊 Indian Navy Hosts Meghayan-25 Seminar on Meteorology & Oceanology

The Indian Navy conducted the 3rd edition of its Meteorological and Oceanological Symposium, Meghayan-25, on April 14, 2025, aligning with World Meteorological Day. The event featured experts from premier institutions like IMD, ISRO, and IIT-Madras, focusing on enhancing maritime safety through improved weather forecasting and launching the MOSDAC-IN web services for customized satellite-derived weather products.

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🎖️ Honoring Marshal Arjan Singh on His 106th Birth Anniversary

On April 15, 2025, the Indian Air Force commemorated the 106th birth anniversary of Marshal Arjan Singh Ji, unveiling his bust at Astha Senior Citizen Home in Delhi. The event celebrated his exceptional leadership during the 1965 war and his legacy as the IAF’s only Five-Star officer.​

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🇮🇳🤝🇺🇿 India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI Begins

The sixth edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise, DUSTLIK-VI, commenced on April 16, 2025, at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune. This exercise, focusing on joint multi-domain sub-conventional operations in semi-urban scenarios, aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations.

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🌏 Ambassadors’ Meet Highlights Investment Potential in India’s North East

On April 15, 2025, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) hosted an Ambassadors’ Meet in New Delhi, attracting diplomats from over 80 countries. The event showcased the North Eastern Region’s (NER) strategic importance and investment opportunities across sectors like infrastructure, IT, and tourism, aligning with India’s Act East Policy. Leaders emphasized NER’s role as a gateway to Southeast Asia and its potential as an economic powerhouse.

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🇮🇳 India’s Retail Inflation Hits Six-Year Low 📉

India’s retail inflation dropped to 4.6% in FY 2024–25, the lowest since 2018–19, with March 2025 recording a YoY dip to 3.34%. This decline is attributed to effective monetary policies and government interventions like subsidised food sales and reduced GST rates on essentials.

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🏙️ Karad Leads in Sanitary Waste Management 🧼🔥

Karad, a city in Maharashtra, has achieved 100% segregation, collection, and processing of sanitary and biomedical waste, setting a national benchmark. Through community engagement, especially involving women, and infrastructure like red bins and high-temperature incinerators, the city ensures safe disposal, reducing health risks and environmental harm.

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🛡️ Top 7 Finalists Announced for Anti-Piracy Challenge at WAVES 2025

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has unveiled the top seven finalists for the Anti-Piracy Challenge under the Create in India initiative of WAVES 2025. These innovative solutions, focusing on technologies like fingerprinting, watermarking, blockchain, and steganography, aim to combat digital piracy and protect content integrity. The finalists will present their solutions at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai from May 1–4, 2025.

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🚀 WAVEX 2025 Expands Eligibility & Extends Deadline

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has expanded WAVEX 2025 eligibility to include startups incorporated from 2016 onwards, broadening participation in India’s premier media-tech event. The application deadline has been extended to April 21, 2025, with investment pitches scheduled for May 2–3 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

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🛕 Kashi’s Modern Transformation Underway

On April 11, 2025, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji inaugurated development projects worth ₹3,880 crore in Kashi, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, heritage preservation, and tourism enhancement. Since 2014, a total of 580 projects amounting to ₹48,459 crore have been initiated to modernize Varanasi while honoring its ancient heritage.

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🎭 WAVES Cosplay Championship Finalists Revealed! 🌟

The WAVES Cosplay Championship has announced 29 finalists after vibrant meetups in Hyderabad and Mumbai, spotlighting Indian mythology and pop culture. These talented cosplayers will compete at Creatosphere during WAVES 2025, with a final Wildcard Meetup in Mumbai on April 19 to add more contenders.

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🏥 New 220-Bed ESIC Hospital to Open in Ranchi

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate a newly developed 220-bed ESIC Hospital in Namkum, Ranchi, on April 17, 2025. The upgraded facility, built at a cost of ₹99.06 crore, will offer advanced medical services to over 5 lakh insured persons and their families.​

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🧑‍⚖️ Six Judicial Officers Appointed as Judges of Allahabad High Court​

On April 16, 2025, the President of India appointed six judicial officers—Jitendra Kumar Sinha Ji, Anil Kumar-X Ji, Sandeep Jain Ji, Avnish Saxena Ji, Madan Pal Singh Ji, and Harvir Singh Ji—as judges of the Allahabad High Court. The appointments were made in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and will take effect upon the appointees assuming their respective offices.

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🛠️ PM Vishwakarma–National SC-ST Hub Conclave Held in Odisha 🇮🇳

On April 16, 2025, the Ministry of MSME organized the ‘PM Vishwakarma – National SC-ST Hub Conclave’ in Baripada, Odisha, co-chaired by Union Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi Ji and Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi Ji. The event highlighted initiatives like the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and National SC-ST Hub, aiming to empower traditional artisans and SC/ST entrepreneurs through skill development and financial support.

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🏗️ Ministry of Mines Launches Guidelines for Centres of Excellence under NCMM

The Ministry of Mines has issued guidelines for establishing Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Mineral Mission to boost R&D in critical minerals vital for clean energy, mobility, and strategic sectors. These CoEs will function as consortiums, promoting advanced research and technology development to enhance India’s capabilities in critical mineral processing.

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🧹 Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Launches Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 🌿

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs inaugurated Swachhata Pakhwada 2025, a 15-day cleanliness drive promoting the Swachh Bharat mission and sustainable practices. Secretary Shri Umang Narula led the Swachhata Pledge and encouraged officials to plant trees near their residences, while Additional Secretary Dr. Satya Prakash emphasized collective responsibility for a cleaner environment.

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🏛️ Review Meeting on NPS Oversight Mechanism Held

The Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare conducted its third review meeting on the National Pension System (NPS) Oversight Mechanism, emphasizing timely credit of employee and government contributions, redressal of grievances, and periodic reporting by Ministries/Departments. An online portal has been launched for submitting six-monthly reports to enhance monitoring and reduce grievances among NPS-covered employees.

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🧹 Secretariat Reforms: March 2025 Highlights

The 20th edition of the ‘Secretariat Reforms’ report by DARPG showcases significant progress in administrative efficiency and cleanliness initiatives. Notably, ₹386.08 crore was earned from scrap disposal between December 2024 and March 2025, contributing to a total of ₹2,750 crore since 2021, and over 1.64 lakh files were weeded out across 8,115 offices. The report also highlights innovative ‘Waste to Wealth’ practices and a substantial shift towards e-Office adoption, with 88% of files created electronically in March 2025.

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🇮🇳 India Unveils First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Vessel

India has launched its first indigenously developed green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel, marking a significant advancement in sustainable maritime transport. Developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. with a hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain from KPIT, this achievement underscores the collaborative efforts of CSIR and private partners under the NMITLI programme.​

Source: PIB Press Release

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🔥 Indigenous Firefighting Suit Developed Under National Technical Textile Mission

The Ministry of Textiles, through its National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM), in collaboration with M/s System 5S Pvt. Ltd., has developed an indigenous specialized firefighting suit using aluminized coated glass fabrics. Designed to meet international safety standards (EN 1486 and ISO 15538), the suit aims to reduce India’s reliance on imports for such protective gear. Commercial production is set to begin following successful completion of fire manikin testing as per EN ISO 13506 standards.

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🏞️ Minister’s Visit Highlights Women’s and Child Welfare in Meghalaya

Union Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur visited East Khasi Hills District to assess key initiatives under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. She praised local efforts in child protection, women’s empowerment, and rural development, emphasizing the importance of integrated healthcare and community participation.

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🏅 NADA India Champions Clean Sport at National Conference

On April 16, 2025, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India hosted a conference titled “Building Together a Clean Sport Ecosystem” in New Delhi, aligning with Play True Week 2025. Key highlights included the launch of a multilingual Fair Play Guide and a pledge ceremony promoting doping-free sports. The event gathered stakeholders to discuss anti-doping policies and athlete education.​

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🔬 National One Health Mission: Steering Committee’s Second Meeting

On April 15, 2025, the Scientific Steering Committee for India’s National One Health Mission convened its second meeting under the chairmanship of Prof. Ajay K. Sood. Key discussions included state-level initiatives from Gujarat and Kerala, strategies for integrated surveillance, and the development of R&D countermeasures for zoonotic diseases. Emphasis was placed on collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to scale the mission’s activities.

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🚨 CCI Penalizes UFO Moviez & Qube for Anti-Competitive Practices

The Competition Commission of India has imposed monetary and non-monetary sanctions on UFO Moviez India Pvt., its subsidiary Scrabble Digital Ltd., and Qube Cinema Technologies Pvt. Ltd. for engaging in anti-competitive conduct. The companies were found to have imposed restrictive clauses in lease agreements with cinema theatre owners, hindering competition in the supply of digital cinema equipment. Monetary penalties of ₹104.03 lakh and ₹165.8 lakh were levied on UFO Moviez and Qube, respectively.

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