National News

South Eastern Coalfield Limited’s Gevra Mine Set To Become The Largest Coal Mine In Asia

• South Eastern Coalfield Limited (SECL) is on the brink of a significant milestone as its Gevra mine, situated in Chhattisgarh, gears up to claim the title of Asia's largest coal mine.
• Recently granted environmental clearance for its expansion, the mine is poised to escalate its production capacity to 70 million tons per annum, a substantial increase from the existing 52.5 million tons.
• This expansion not only signifies a pivotal moment for SECL but also holds immense importance for India's energy sector, as the nation strives to fortify its coal production capabilities.

India’s First Underwater Metro Train Service Launched In Kolkata By PM Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a groundbreaking achievement in India's infrastructure and urban development by inaugurating the nation's inaugural underwater metro train service in Kolkata.
• This service, a crucial component of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, aims to augment connectivity between Howrah and Salt Lake, the twin cities of West Bengal’s capital.
• According to the Ministry of Railways, approximately 10.8 kilometers of the East-West Metro route will traverse underground, complemented by 5.75 kilometers of elevated sections.

International News

Hungary Parliament Elects New President: Tamas Sulyok

• Following the resignation of the previous head of state amid a scandal involving a contentious pardon in a child sexual abuse case, Hungary’s parliament has appointed a new president.
• Tamás Sulyok, a former head of Hungary’s Constitutional Court, assumes the presidency amid debates among opposition parties advocating for direct presidential elections.
• Sulyok, a 67-year-old lawyer, secured the presidency through a secret parliamentary vote, garnering 134 votes in favor and five against.

State News

Kerala Welcomes ‘Iris’ Its First Generative AI Teacher

• In a significant leap forward in educational technology, a school in Kerala has introduced Iris, a humanoid teacher.
• Developed in collaboration with Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited, Iris embodies a pioneering effort to foster interactive, engaging, and accessible learning experiences.
• More than a mere robotic presence in the classroom, Iris represents a generative AI entity capable of conducting interactive learning sessions.
• With proficiency in three languages, Iris possesses the versatility to address a diverse range of queries, making it an invaluable educational asset.

India’s 1st Dolphin Research Centre Inaugurated In Patna

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar officially inaugurated India’s first National Dolphin Research Center (NDRC) on the banks of the Ganges River within the Patna University campus.
• This state-of-the-art facility, constructed at a cost of Rs 30 crore, aims to facilitate research and enhance understanding of the behavior and ecology of freshwater dolphins, particularly the endangered Gangetic dolphin.

Economy News

Finance Minister Sitharaman Inaugurates LIC’s International Business Centre And Receives Interim Dividend

• In a virtual ceremony, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman received an interim dividend cheque of ₹2,441.44 crore from LIC Chairman Siddhartha Mohanty, underscoring the financial robustness of the insurance giant.
• The event also marked the inauguration of LIC’s new international business center at GIFT City, Gujarat, signaling the company’s commitment to delivering top-tier insurance and financial services globally.
• This strategic initiative aligns with LIC’s overarching objective of providing world-class insurance and financial solutions at GIFT City, bolstering its international footprint.

Schemes News

Himachal Pradesh Announces “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna”

• In a notable move towards women empowerment, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu unveiled the “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna.”
• This pioneering scheme is tailored to provide financial assistance to women aged between 18 to 60 years.
• Under this initiative, eligible women stand to receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,500, with an annual expenditure projection of ₹800 crore.
• The scheme targets to cover over five lakh women, offering them much-needed financial support.

Awards News

Tiger Woods Honored With USGA’s Prestigious Bob Jones Award

• Renowned golfer Tiger Woods has been selected as the recipient of the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor presented by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
• This esteemed accolade acknowledges Woods’ commitment to sportsmanship, his reverence for the game's traditions, and his significant philanthropic efforts.
• The formal presentation of the Bob Jones Award is slated for June 12th during the U.S. Open week at Pinehurst Resort’s iconic Course No. 2 in North Carolina.

Appointments News

Slice Appoints Nayanthara As Brand Ambassador

• Slice, the beloved mango-flavored drink, has announced the appointment of acclaimed actress Nayanthara as its newest brand ambassador.
• This strategic collaboration aims to deepen Slice’s engagement with its audience and reaffirm its position as the preferred beverage for mango enthusiasts.
• Originally introduced by PepsiCo in 1984, Slice was reintroduced in India in 2008 as a mango-flavored fruit drink under the Tropicana Slice brand.

Sports News

Asian River Rafting Champions Take On The Sutlej River

• The picturesque town of Shimla is hosting the inaugural Asian River Rafting Championships, inaugurated on March 4th, 2024, by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
• Held on the Sutlej River near Basantpur in the Sunni region, the championship runs from March 4th to 9th, 2024.
• Participating teams, totaling around 20, comprise both national and international contenders from countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia.

Books & Authors News

A Book On Indian Modern Art “The Gems Of Indian Art” Launched

• The unveiling of “The Gems of Indian Art” marks a significant milestone in India’s art landscape.
• This comprehensive documentation, showcasing Harish Khullar’s extensive collection of 20th-century Indian modern and contemporary art, was officiated by Ministers Shri Nitin Gadkari, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Shri S.P.S. Baghel.
• The Khullar family’s collection is a testament to their deep-seated passion for Indian art, setting a precedent in a country where private art collections are relatively nascent.

Science & Technology News

India’s IN-SPACe Inaugurates Satellite & Payload Technical Centre In Ahmedabad

• Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh inaugurated a cutting-edge technical center in Ahmedabad, a significant stride forward for India’s space sector.
• Established by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), this center aims to revolutionize private sector involvement in space technology development and testing.
• Its objective is to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for rigorous validation of space technologies in simulated space environments.