The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Pu Lalduhoma, launched the state's new flagship initiative, the Handholding Scheme (Bana Kaih), during an official ceremony at Vanapa Hall.

The scheme aims to provide financial assistance and support to entrepreneurs and farmers across the state through a series of targeted programs designed to promote economic growth and self-sufficiency.

The Scheme comprises five key components, as outlined in the government guidelines.

• The main feature is a collateral free and Interest free bank loan.
• A financial support package for selected progress partners (beneficiaries), offering loans up to Rs. 50 lakh through partner banks.
• The state government will serve as a guarantor for these project loans under existing national credit guarantee schemes.
• Beneficiaries who consistently repay their loans may also benefit from interest subvention of up to 100%, providing significant relief and encouragement to those who meet their repayment obligations.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has incorporated Joint Venture (JV) companies - Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited and NPCIL - Indian Oil Nuclear Energy Corporation Limited with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd. and Indian Oil Corporation Limited, respectively, for setting up nuclear power plants.

Preliminary discussions have been held with ONGC Ltd. in this regard.

Exploratory Discussions for setting up a Joint Venture with the Indian Railways to set up nuclear power plants has been held.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Senior IPS officers Alok Ranjan and Amit Garg were appointed as the chiefs of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and Hyderabad-based Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) respectively, according to an official order.

The 25th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards Show will be organised in Rajasthan capital city next year from March 7 to 9 at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC).

Jaipur Host City Agreement Signing Ceremony was organised at Albert Hall on Sunday(22 September 2024)

Tourism Commissioner Vijay Pal signed the MoU here in the presence of IIFA Vice President Suresh Iyer, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and other Tourism Department officials.

10th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference concluded with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressing concern over commotion and acrimony in legislatures and asking presiding officers to ensure that they remain centres of dignified discussions.

Mr. Birla, who is also the Chairperson of the CPA India Region, chaired the two-day meeting that concluded in New Delhi today( 24 September 2024)

Addressing the concluding session of the conference, Mr Birla said that the issue of disturbances in legislatures was discussed with the presiding officers from time to time and they were urged to conduct House proceedings with dignity, decorum, and in accordance with Indian values and standards.

The traditions and systems of the House should be Indian in nature, and the policies and laws should strengthen the feeling of Indianness to achieve the resolution of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, he observed.

There should be discussions on the policies and programmes of the government with everyone’s participation, he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday( 24 September 2024) inaugurated the 41st Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders' Conference in New Delhi.

• The three-day event will see senior ICG commanders discussing strategic, operational, and administrative issues amid rising geopolitical and maritime security challenges.
• Singh engaged in discussions on national and maritime security matters with senior ICG officials, including Additional Director General S Paramesh.
• The conference focusses on advancing the growth and infrastructure development of the ICG.

The Mankidia community has become the sixth Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha to receive habitat rights over forests, making it the second PVTG to be formally recognized in the state.

This recognition, sanctioned under the Forest Rights Act of 2006, highlights the approval of district-level committees for four other communities seeking similar rights.

Mankidia Community

• They are classified as a Scheduled Tribe by the Indian government.

• The Mankidia are an ethnic offshoot of the Birhor Tribe.

• They specialize in catching monkeys (called Mankada in Odia), hence their name was derived from the name that neighbouring tribes called them.

• People believe that their origin is from Chota Nagpur Plateau.

• They might have migrated to different parts of Odisha and finally settled in the hilly areas.

• Lives in Simlipal Tiger Reserve

Indian duo Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth won the Hangzhou Open 2024 title after beating German pair Constantin Frantzen and Hendrik Jebens in the men’s doubles final in China.

• The pair defeated the German pair 4-6, 7-6, [10-7] in the men’s doubles final. It conceded the first set to the Germans before fighting its way back into the match to go all the way.
• Nedunchezhiyan/Prashanth pulled off a comeback in the semifinals against Uruguay’s Ariel Behar and USA’s Robert Galloway.
• After the Indians conceded the first set 6-0 to Behar/Galloway, they went on to win the second set and the tiebreaker.

Russia and China on Saturday began their joint naval military exercise in the Sea of Japan.

Before leaving the base, servicemen took part in an opening ceremony, also attended by military chiefs from both sides, the statement said.

The drill will last one week and the servicemen of the two countries will train in repelling an attack by a simulated enemy from the air, water and underwater environment, as well as maneuvering.

The crews of the ships will also perform artillery firing and several combat exercises using anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapons.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), in collaboration with the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE) successfully hosted the National Conclave on Gender Mainstreaming in New Delhi.

• The conclave focused on strengthening gender-responsive community institutions and discussed strategies for advancing gender integration within the DAY-NRLM framework.
• Secretary, Rural Development Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasized that government engagement in the rural economy aims to transform lives and livelihoods through socio-economic inclusion and empowerment.
• He highlighted that DAY-NRLM has adopted a ‘whole-of-government approach’ through inter-ministerial collaboration. Now, we need to sharpen our gender strategy by learning from voices on the ground and experts.
• The event had four panel discussions on topics including gender-responsive community institutions, convergence pathways, integrating gender into program design, and alliance and advocacy. Participants included officials from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, SRLMs, SHG members, gender experts and civil society partners.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) would provide financial assistance of Rs 530 crore to the Tripura government to upgrade the drinking water supply in the state’s 12 cities benefiting around four lakh people, officials said here.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha laid the foundation of the ‘Mukhyamantri Nagar Unnayan Prakalp’ (Chief Minister’s urban development scheme) at a function in southern Tripura’s Gomati district headquarters Udaipur.

• The Chief Minister said that after the completion of the ambitious plan within three years, a major drinking water problem of over 75,000 families in 12 cities in the state would be resolved.
• He said that 12 cities, where the ADB-funded ambitious scheme would be implemented include, Udaipur, Amarpur, Belonia, Melaghar, Bishramganj, Khowai, Ranir Bazar, Mohanpur, Dharmanagar, Kailashhar, Kumarghat and Ambassa.
• Of the 12 cities, seven are district headquarters -- Udaipur, Belonia, Bishramganj, Khowai, Dharmanagar, Kailashahar and Ambassa.

India's newest airline, Shankh Air, has received approval from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and is set to begin operations.

• Shankh Air is owned by Shankh Aviation Private Limited, the airline has been granted a three-year No Objection Certificate (NOC).
• The company has ambitious plans to operate from major cities in Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi, Agra, and Gorakhpur.
• Shankh Air will be the first scheduled airline to originate from Uttar Pradesh, with major hubs in Lucknow and Noida. According to its official website, the airline will focus on both inter- and intra-state routes, prioritising cities with high demand but limited direct flight options.
• The company is still awaiting a final clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new Sainik School under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model here on Monday (23 September 2024)

• Singh highlighted India’s rich educational heritage. He said India has always been a knowledge-driven society and continues to uphold that legacy.
• Singh stressed upon the importance of the private sector's role in modern educational institutions like Sainik Schools.
• He added the PPP model fosters collaboration between public and private sectors, which is essential in shaping the nation's future.
• The new Sainik School is expected to blend the strengths of both sectors to provide quality education focused on discipline, leadership, and patriotism.

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institution (ASOSAI) Assembly, being organised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in New Delhi today (September 24, 2024).

High-ranking officials of the host country, and more than 200 international delegates representing 44 ASOSAI members along with international and observer organisations attended the assembly.

America’s National Cricket League has appointed former International Cricket Council CEO Haroon Lorgat as its commissioner, aiming to popularise the sport in the United States.

With Lorgat at the helm, the NCL has set its sights on popularizing cricket in the U.S. and expanding its global reach.

About Haroon Lorgat

A former first-class cricketer, Lorgat went on to become one of the most respected cricket administrators. As the CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2008 to 2012, Lorgat oversaw three ICC World Cups, played a key role in the implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS), and expanded the sport’s reach into associate countries.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reached Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to attend the 9th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). 

• India is the second-largest shareholder of the bank. The multilateral discussions will be centred around a broad spectrum of important global issues relevant to the development agenda.
• Ms. Sitharaman will also sign the Bilateral Investment Treaty between India and Uzbekistan.
• The treaty aims to promote more extensive economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries on a long-term basis. As part of her five-day visit, Ms. Sitharaman is expected to call on President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
• The Finance Minister will also hold important bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, China, and the AIIB President. She will also interact with the Indian diaspora, representing leading voices from multiple sectors.

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is leading a high-level Indian delegation to Uzbekistan from September 24 to 28, 2024. 

During her visit, the Finance Minister will attend the 9th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Samarkand and sign a crucial Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with Uzbekistan, signaling enhanced bilateral economic engagement.

The 9th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of AIIB is scheduled for September 25-26, 2024. India, being the second-largest shareholder in AIIB, plays a pivotal role in the institution’s development agenda.

The discussions at the meeting will cover a broad spectrum of issues, including infrastructure investment, sustainable development, and global economic challenges.

AIIB, as a multilateral development bank, focuses on fostering infrastructure development and investment in Asia, with an emphasis on promoting connectivity and wealth creation. The annual meeting will see delegations from over 80 countries coming together to address these global issues.