Celebrating the 78th anniversary of the Russia-India diplomatic relationship on Sunday( 13 April), a cycle rally was organised in New Delhi where more than 300 people participated in the event.

• The cycling rally also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Russian victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
• According to the Russian Embassy, more than 300 people took part in the event.
• Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov took to X and extended greetings on the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
• The strategic partnership of Russia and India is distinguished by the scale and depth of ties in politics, trade and technology, science, education and culture, the Russian Embassy stated.
• It announced that New Delhi and Moscow are collaborating on investment projects, developing transport networks, and working together in space exploration and nuclear energy.

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, launched a unified health insurance scheme of the Odisha government in Cuttack, Odisha, on 11 April 2025. This comprehensive initiative integrates the central Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) with the state’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), aiming to benefit over 1 crore families in Odisha with robust health coverage.

Key Features of the Scheme

Wide Coverage: Rs.5 lakh annual coverage per family, with an extra ?5 lakh for women members.

Pan-India Access: Cashless treatment available at over 29,000 hospitals across India.

Unified Health Card: A single health card replacing older gender-specific cards.

Kerala has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first state in India to attain total digital literacy. This accomplishment is the result of sustained efforts through initiatives like the Akshaya Project, Digi Kerala, and K-FON, aiming to bridge the digital divide and empower citizens with essential digital skills.

Key Highlights

• Kerala has officially become the first Indian state to achieve 100% digital literacy, equipping every household with essential digital skills. 
• The state's success is attributed to programs like the Akshaya Project, which began in 2002 to promote computer literacy, and the Digi Kerala initiative, focusing on digital empowerment across communities. ?
• Projects like the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) have played a crucial role in providing high-speed internet connectivity to households and government institutions, facilitating digital access statewide. ?
• The Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has been instrumental in integrating ICT into the education system, enhancing digital learning among students and teachers.

In a historic achievement, Chennai Super Kings' captain MS Dhoni has become the first wicketkeeper in Indian Premier League (IPL) history to record 200 dismissals.

Dhoni achieved the feat during the Chennai Super Kings encounter against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday (April 14, 2025) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

• This milestone underscores Dhoni's enduring excellence and sharp reflexes behind the stumps throughout his illustrious IPL career.?
• During his 271st IPL match, Dhoni reached the 200-dismissal mark by catching Rishabh Pant in the final over of the innings.
• His tally now stands at 201 dismissals, comprising 155 catches and 46 stumpings.

India, alongside 62 nations, has voted in favor of the world's first global carbon tax targeting the shipping industry. This landmark decision, adopted by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO), aims to curb greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport, a sector previously excluded from global climate agreements.

• Global Agreement: India and 62 other countries have agreed to implement a global carbon tax on commercial shipping, a sector responsible for 3% of global emissions. ?
• Implementation Timeline: The carbon tax is set to take effect in 2028, requiring ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to either adopt cleaner fuels or pay a fee ranging from $100 to $380 per tonne of CO2 emitted. 
• Revenue Utilization: The tax is expected to generate up to $40 billion by 2030, which will be reinvested exclusively into decarbonizing the maritime sector. 
• India's Maritime Ambitions: India's support aligns with its goal to become one of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047, with a fleet that grew to 1,530 ships by 2023. ?