Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the 25th edition of the Jahan-e-Khusrau festival, an international Sufi music event, on February 28, 2025, at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. 

Highlights of the Festival:

Silver Jubilee Celebration: The festival marked its 25th anniversary, celebrating a rich legacy of Sufi music and culture since its inception in 2001 by filmmaker and artist Muzaffar Ali. 

Global Artistic Participation: Artists from around the world gathered to honor the contributions of Amir Khusrau, reflecting the festival's international appeal and cultural significance. 

TEH Bazaar Exhibition: Prime Minister Modi explored the TEH Bazaar (The Exploration of the Handmade), which showcased India's diverse handicrafts, including products from the One District-One Product initiative, along with short films on handicrafts and handlooms. 

Government's Cultural Commitment: The Prime Minister's participation underscored the government's dedication to promoting India's diverse art and cultural heritage.

The Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025 festival served as a testament to India's rich Sufi traditions and its ongoing efforts to celebrate and preserve cultural diversity.

On March 31, 2025, Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 62nd National Maritime Day and Merchant Navy Week at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. The event emphasized the maritime sector's pivotal role in achieving the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).

Key Points:

Ceremonial Commencement: Director General of Shipping, Shyam Jagannathan, adorned Governor Radhakrishnan with a miniature National Maritime Day flag, marking the start of the celebrations. 

Governor's Address: Governor Radhakrishnan highlighted the maritime sector's significance in realizing 'Viksit Bharat.' He advocated for enhanced coordination among the Directorate General of Shipping, Shipping Corporation of India, Container Corporation, Railways, and traders. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity for modernizing the nation's ports. 

Notable Attendees: The inauguration was attended by Ajit Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor and Additional Director General of Shipping
Pandurang Raut, Deputy Director General Captain B. K. Tyagi, Chairman of the Shipping Corporation of India Pradeep Sudhakar and others.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published its inaugural reports addressing the diagnostics and treatments for fungal infections.

The key findings from these reports include:

High Mortality Rates: Fungal pathogens categorized under the 'critical priority' by the WHO's Fungal Priority Pathogens List (FPPL) exhibit mortality rates reaching up to 88%. 

• Limited Treatment Options: Over the past four decades, only four antifungal drugs have been approved in the United States, highlighting a significant stagnation in the development of new treatments. 
• Severe Side Effects and Formulation Challenges: Existing antifungal treatments are associated with severe side effects and limited dosage forms, often necessitating prolonged hospital stays. Children are particularly affected due to the lack of age-appropriate formulations. 
• Diagnostic Limitations: While some commercial tests are available for detecting fungal pathogens, they typically require well-equipped laboratories and skilled personnel, resources that are often scarce in low- and middle-income countries. 

Recommendations for Improvement: The WHO emphasizes the urgent need for:

• Funding basic research to identify new therapeutic targets on fungi.
• Investigating treatments that enhance patients' immune responses. 
• These findings underscore the critical gaps in the current landscape of fungal infection diagnostics and treatments, highlighting the necessity for concerted global efforts to address these challenges.

The Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL) is set to establish its first supercritical thermal power project (SCTPP) in the Korba district. This initiative aims to enhance the state's power generation capacity and meet the growing electricity demand.

The foundation stone for this initiative was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 30, 2025. 

Project Overview

Capacity and Location: The proposed SCTPP will feature two units, each with a capacity of 660 megawatts (MW), totaling 1,320 MW. The plant will be situated within the existing premises of the Hasdeo Thermal Power Station (HTPS) in Korba, which currently operates a 1,340 MW facility. 

Investment and Timeline: The project entails an investment of approximately Rs.15,800 crore. The first unit is expected to commence electricity production by 2029, with the second unit following in 2030. 

Technological Advancements

Supercritical thermal power plants operate at pressures and temperatures above the critical point of water, resulting in higher efficiency and reduced coal consumption compared to traditional subcritical plants. This technology also leads to lower carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Strategic Significance

The establishment of this SCTPP is part of CSPGCL's strategy to bolster its power generation capabilities in response to increasing electricity demand. Upon completion, the plant will not only ensure a more stable power supply but also create employment opportunities in the region.