Today in Bharat – April-21-2025

Welcome to Today in Bharat – April-21-2025, 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.

🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸 PM Modi Hosts U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Family

Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji met Honorable U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his family in New Delhi, reflecting on his February visit to Washington D.C. and discussions with President Trump. They reviewed progress on the India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement and cooperation in energy, defense, and strategic technologies. PM Modi extended best wishes to the Vance family for their stay and looked forward to President Trump’s upcoming visit to India.​

🔗 Source: PIB Press Release

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🤝 Gujarat CM Meets PM Modi

On April 21, 2025, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel Ji met with Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. The Prime Minister’s Office shared this update on X (formerly Twitter).

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🇮🇳 PM Modi’s Vision for Civil Services: Holistic Development & Future-Ready Governance

On the 17th Civil Services Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the pivotal role of civil servants in shaping India’s future, highlighting the need for holistic development that ensures no citizen is left behind. He underscored the importance of modernizing governance through initiatives like Mission Karmayogi to build a competent, future-ready bureaucracy.

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🧘‍♀️ FHRAI Embraces ‘Harit Yoga’ for International Day of Yoga 2025 🌿

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) is actively participating in the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 by organizing ‘Harit Yoga’ events that blend wellness with environmental consciousness. Key activities include a yoga retreat at Atmantan Wellness Centre in Mulshi, a campus event at FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management in Greater Noida, and a flagship event at JW Marriott in Bangalore. These initiatives align with the Ministry of Ayush’s efforts to promote yoga as a sustainable lifestyle choice.​

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🌾 Dr. Mangi Lal Jat Appointed as Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR​

Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, a renowned agronomist with over 25 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). His leadership is expected to drive innovation and sustainability in India’s agricultural research landscape.

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✈️ Civil Aviation Minister Reviews Delhi Airport Operations

On April 21, 2025, Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Ji convened a stakeholder meeting to assess and ensure smooth operations at Delhi Airport. The focus was on enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency.

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✈️ Air India Unveils Safety Promotion Centre

On April 21, 2025, Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Ji inaugurated the Air India Safety Promotion Centre in Gurugram, highlighting the airline’s commitment to a safety-first culture through immersive, real-world training. The visit also included tours of key facilities like the Emergency Control Centre and Aviation Training Academy, underscoring efforts to enhance operational excellence and safety protocols.

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📊 March 2025 Core Industries Index Sees 3.8% Growth​

India’s Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) rose by 3.8% in March 2025 compared to March 2024, driven by strong performances in cement, fertilizers, steel, electricity, coal, and refinery products. However, crude oil and natural gas production declined during the same period. The cumulative ICI growth for FY 2024–25 stands at 4.4%.

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📡 India’s Telecom Snapshot – January 2025

As of January 31, 2025, India recorded 1,192.03 million total telephone subscribers, with a modest net addition of 2.10 million during the month. Broadband subscriptions reached 945.16 million, showing a slight monthly growth of 0.04%. Notably, 14.14 million users requested Mobile Number Portability (MNP), bringing the cumulative MNP requests to 1,093.33 million.​

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📡 BharatNet: Bridging India’s Digital Divide​

The BharatNet project aims to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India, enhancing digital access in rural areas. As of March 2025, over 2.18 lakh GPs are service-ready, with significant progress in optical fiber deployment and Wi-Fi hotspot installations. The initiative supports services like e-health, e-education, and e-governance, fostering inclusive growth and bridging the urban-rural digital gap.​

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🕊️ International Buddhist Conclave Held in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh

A two-day International Buddhist Conclave was held in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the region’s rich Buddhist heritage and its potential as a center for a Buddhist tourism circuit in Northeast India. The event saw participation from over 300 delegates, including Sangha leaders, scholars, and representatives from Bhutan, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

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🇮🇳🤝🇲🇻 India Enhances Maritime Ties with Maldives

The Indian Navy has completed a major refit of the Maldivian Coast Guard Ship MNDF Huravee at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard, reinforcing bilateral defense cooperation. The upgraded vessel, handed over in May 2023, plays a vital role in humanitarian and disaster relief operations across the Maldives.​

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🧘‍♂️ Strengthening Soldiers’ Minds: MoD Partners with Brahma Kumaris

On April 21, 2025, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh Ji emphasized the need for soldiers to enhance mental stability and spiritual well-being alongside combat skills. Speaking at the Brahma Kumaris Headquarters in Mount Abu, he highlighted the evolving nature of warfare, which now includes cyber, space, and psychological domains. An MoU was signed between the Ministry of Defence and the Brahma Kumaris to improve mental health among Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) beneficiaries, aiming to reduce reliance on medication through self-empowerment initiatives like meditation and yoga.

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🕊️ PM Modi Pays Tribute to Pope Francis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, honoring him as a symbol of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage. He recalled their meetings and lauded the Pope’s lifelong dedication to serving the poor and promoting inclusive development.​

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India’s DBT System: Enhancing Welfare Efficiency 🇮🇳💸

India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has achieved ₹3.48 lakh crore in savings by reducing leakages in welfare programs, as per a report by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation. The system has also expanded beneficiary coverage 16-fold, from 11 crore to 176 crore, while decreasing subsidy allocations from 16% to 9% of total government expenditure. Key sectors like food subsidies, MGNREGS, and PM-KISAN have seen significant improvements in efficiency and transparency.

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🩺 Health Ministry Advances Swasth Bharat Vision

Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda Ji chaired a session on “Promoting Swasth Bharat through Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Arogya Mandir” during Civil Services Day celebrations in New Delhi. He emphasized the government’s commitment to affordable healthcare, highlighting that healthcare expenditure has increased from 29% in 2014 to 48% today. Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, discussed the importance of primary healthcare in achieving Universal Health Coverage, noting that 90% of essential interventions can be delivered through primary healthcare systems.​

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🫀 World Liver Day 2025: Health Minister Leads Liver Health Pledge

On World Liver Day 2025, Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda Ji led a Liver Health Pledge Ceremony at Nirman Bhawan, emphasizing the theme “Food is Medicine.” He urged citizens to reduce cooking oil usage by 10% and adopt healthier lifestyles to combat fatty liver and related diseases. The event featured a health camp offering screenings and nutritional counseling, highlighting the benefits of millets and liver-friendly diets.​

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🇮🇳 State Mourning in India for Pope Francis

India has declared a three-day State Mourning following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The mourning period includes two days—April 22 and 23—and an additional day on the day of the funeral. During this time, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast across the country, and there will be no official entertainment events.

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Shri Amit Shah Ji Reviews New Criminal Laws in Chhattisgarh

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji met with Chhattisgarh CM Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Ji to review the implementation of three new criminal laws aimed at modernizing the judicial system. The reforms include video-conferencing for trials, accountability measures for police officers, and enhanced use of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) in investigations. Shah emphasized regular monitoring to ensure effective execution of these reforms.

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Why ‘Today in Bharat – April-21-2025’ Matters

As we wrap up Today in Bharat – April-21-2025, we hope this curated glimpse into the nation’s key happenings helped you stay informed and connected. Each edition of Today in Bharat aims to bring clarity to the complex world of policies, projects, and developments that touch our lives in direct and indirect ways. By understanding what’s changing around us — from new initiatives to national milestones — we become more aware citizens of this vibrant land. Keep following Today in Bharat – April-21-2025 and beyond, for updates that respect your time, your intellect, and your cultural roots.