Category: Life & Style

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹35,700 crore in Jharkhand. He emphasised Jharkhand’s crucial role in India’s development, highlighting the inauguration of the ₹8,900-crore fertilizer plant in Sindri, Dhanbad district, as a significant step.

PM Modi expressed confidence in Jharkhand’s potential to contribute to India’s progress, referring to it as a source of power for the nation’s development. With a 12.7 LMT urea production capacity annually, the fertiliser factory hopes to support domestic production for the benefit of farmers throughout the nation.

The Sindri factory, which was resurrected after Gorakhpur and Ramagundam, is India’s third fertiliser facility. Additionally, he emphasised the need for urea production to be self-sufficient, pointing out that it has increased from 225 lakh metric tonnes in 2014 to 310 lakh metric tonnes at present.

PM Modi also announced coal, power, and rail projects in Jharkhand that totalled more than ₹26,000 crores, demonstrating the government’s dedication to the state’s advancement. He hailed the investment as the realisation of his pledge to bring the Sindri plant back to life and as a major step towards India becoming self-sufficient in urea manufacturing.

On Thursday, PM Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated an airstrip and jetty at Agaléga Islands. The initiative emphasises their strategic partnership in addressing Indian Ocean challenges. Funded by Indian grants, the upgraded infrastructure aims to increase Mauritius’ ability to monitor and combat piracy, terrorism, and illegal activities within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

PM Modi highlighted joint efforts in maritime security, focusing on mutual cooperation in monitoring the EEZ, joint patrolling, hydrography, and disaster relief. Jugnauth emphasised the importance of addressing infrastructural gaps while reaffirming Mauritius’ sovereignty over Agaléga, dismissing claims of it becoming a military base. Additionally, he condemned anti-India sentiments in Mauritius, stressing the project’s mutual benefits.

The expanded airstrip and jetty accommodate larger aircraft and vessels, facilitating regional stability. India’s commitment aligns with its “Neighbourhood First” policy and the vision of “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

PM Modi emphasized India’s contribution to Mauritius’ infrastructure and health sector during crises like the COVID-19 epidemic. Jugnauth announced Mauritius’ participation in India’s Jan Aushadhi initiative, aiming to improve access to quality generic medicines.

The partnership extends beyond infrastructure to encompass digital connectivity and shared priorities as members of the Global South.

The first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, will open its doors to the public on March 1. The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Swaminarayan Sanstha spent approximately Rs 700 crore building the temple on a 27-acre site close to Al Rahba.

Overseas devotees and VIPs had exclusive access from February 15 to 29, while the temple will now be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Mondays.

Built with 18 lakh bricks and 1.8 lakh cubic metres of sandstone from Rajasthan, the temple follows the Nagara style of architecture, similar to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“Lord Ram, Lord Shiv, Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna, Lord Swaminarayan, Tirupati Balaji, and Lord Ayappa are among the gods represented by the idols on the seven towers. The seven Shikhars stand in for the seven UAEs.

The temple boasts 402 pillars, two ghumats (domes), and 12 samrans (dome-like structures). Holy water from the Ganga and Yamuna flows on the temple’s sides, symbolising purity.

The temple, constructed by craftsmen from Gujarat and Rajasthan, features marble sculptures set against a background of sandstone made up of more than 25,000 stone fragments that were brought in from northern Rajasthan.

On Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi recently introduced India’s four astronaut designates, elite fighter pilots from the Indian Air Force, selected for the Gaganyaan mission.

The four astronauts, IAF’s group captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, group captain Ajit Krishnan, group captain Angad Pratap, and wing commander Shubhanshu Shukla, have undergone extensive training for five years in Russian and Indian facilities. During the ceremony at the ISRO Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, they were awarded “Antrisksh Yatri Pank” (astronaut wings) by PM.

He emphasised that astronauts carry the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians into space, marking a four-decade gap since India last ventured into space. The mission is set for 2025 and will demonstrate its human spaceflight capability by sending a three-person crew into low-Earth orbit for three days.

ISRO’s progress for the Gaganyaan mission includes modifying its Launch Vehicle Mark-3 and extensive testing of systems to ensure astronaut safety. The agency has successfully tested engines and completed milestones like the human rating of the CE20 cryogenic engine. It also inaugurated key space infrastructure projects worth about ₹1,800 crore, enhancing India’s space capabilities.

PM expressed optimism about India’s space economy, projecting a fivefold growth to $44 billion in ten years, and also hinted at future lunar missions aimed at retrieving samples from the Moon.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will mentor India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalion to attain international classification, renewing collaboration in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).

Switzerland established INSARAG, which establishes a global standard and enables nations affected by disasters to prioritise assistance from qualified teams. Swiss experts will guide the NDRF battalion in Ghaziabad to achieve IEC certification over two years, building on prior support from 2008 to 2017.

NDRF, with 16 battalions, responds globally, including to the Japan Triple Disaster 2011, the Nepal Earthquake 2015, and the Türkiye Earthquake 2023. A 2003 intergovernmental agreement on disaster cooperation marked 75 years of friendship and 60 years of cooperation between Switzerland and India, which coincides with this collaboration.

Switzerland, through SDC, has supported capacity building for disaster response and risk management in India, including Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Management, since 2019. Collaboration extends to climate change mitigation (low-carbon cement, energy efficiency, renewable energy), adaptation (cities’ climate action plans, solar irrigation, disaster risk management in Himalayan states), and the environment (air pollution, natural resource management).

Reflecting the long-standing relationship between Switzerland and India, this cooperation emphasises cooperative efforts to solve urgent concerns and promote resilience in the case of calamities.

India and Thailand celebrated a significant cultural exchange as holy relics (20 bone fragments) of Lord Buddha and his disciples arrived in Thailand from India, fostering stronger ties between the two nations.

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the governor of Bihar, and Union Minister Virendra Kumar led a delegation of 22 people as they transported the relics, which included those of Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana, to Thailand on an Indian Air Force plane.

The Archaeological Survey of India excavated the artefacts in Piprahwa, which date back to the fourth and fifth centuries BC. This marks the first display of Lord Buddha’s relics and those of his disciples together. Four of the relics from India’s National Museum were showcased in Thailand, signifying the deep historical ties between the two countries.

An Exposition Agreement was signed between the Department of Religious Affairs, Thailand, and the National Museum, marking another milestone in the 75-year diplomatic relations between India and Thailand. The relics will be enshrined in a grand pavilion in Bangkok, allowing people to pay their respects, symbolising the enduring connection between the two countries through the teachings of Lord Buddha.

The Thai Culture Minister expressed gratitude for India’s gesture in sending the relics for exposition, further solidifying the diplomatic relations between the two nations.

According to a Morning Consult survey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again cemented his position as the most popular leader in the world, with an impressive 77% approval rating.

According to the survey, PM Modi has a sizable advantage over other world leaders, with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador coming in second with 64%, Swiss President Alain Berset coming in third with 57%, and Poland’s Donald Tusk coming in fourth with 50%.

According to Morning Consult’s approach, opinions from the youth demographic are tracked across polled countries using a seven-day moving average. Based on a trailing seven-day simple moving average of daily surveys, the data points are arranged by total approval shares for leaders.

Other notable leaders on the list include Italy’s Giorgia Meloni (7th), US President Joe Biden (9th), Canadian PM Justin Trudeau (10th), and UK PM Rishi Sunak (12th). Ulf Kristersson of Sweden, Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were also included.

Earlier in December, PM Modi held a 76% approval rating, and in November 2023, it surged to 78%, underscoring his popularity both domestically and internationally.

Morning Consult, a global decision intelligence company, utilises high-frequency data and applied artificial intelligence to provide insights into public opinion and behaviour.

On June 5th, the Bank of England will introduce banknotes featuring King Charles for the first time, prompting businesses to ensure their machines can accept them.

King Charles’s portrait will adorn all UK banknotes, with existing designs remaining unchanged except for his image and see-through security windows. Despite anticipation, the rollout might be subdued due to the king’s environmental concerns, voiced in his 1970 speech against plastic and chemical pollution.

New notes will replace worn ones and meet increased demand, aligning with royal guidance to minimize environmental and financial impact. The transition to polymer banknotes in 2016 marked the end of a 320-year tradition of paper money in Britain. Existing notes featuring Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender, with over £81bn worth in circulation.

The announcement initiates updates for machines handling banknotes, urging businesses to complete necessary adaptations by June 5th. Shops, rail firms, car parks, casinos, and vending machine operators are among those affected. Equipment manufacturers are releasing updates for installation, ensuring readiness for the change. This marks the start of a series of changes in the currency landscape, requiring businesses to adjust to the new note designs and ensure smooth transactions for consumers across various sectors.

In January, Japan welcomed over 2 million visitors, marking the eighth consecutive month of robust tourism and hinting at a potential record-breaking year.

According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), the number of foreign arrivals stood at 2.69 million, slightly lower than December’s 2.73 million, which set a record for that month. Despite the pandemic-related halt in tourism, currency depreciation fueled Japan’s recovery, with tourists spending more than 5 trillion yen in 2023, exceeding government targets.

Even though January’s arrivals were affected by the Ishikawa earthquake, they were still on par with 2019’s record-breaking 39.9 million visitors to Japan. Chinese tourism is still lower than it was before the outbreak, although January recorded a 33% increase in

According to industry experts, 415,900 Chinese tourists visited in January and favoured slow travel, indicating a trend towards “chill stays” that emphasized local experiences. With more than 25 million visitors, December was yet another high point in a year of recovery. During the Lunar New Year season, department retailers reported robust sales of duty-free and luxury products, indicating a rebound in consumer spending.

On Monday, British Foreign Minister David Cameron visited the Falkland Islands and pledged to protect the area, demonstrating Britain’s steadfast support for the islanders’ wish to remain under British sovereignty.

Argentina keeps pushing for talks on sovereignty, but the UK sticks to its guns and supports the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination. Cameron highlighted the UK’s unwavering defence commitment to the islands, which will guarantee protection for as long as it is desired.

During Cameron’s visit to Argentina, the Argentine Foreign Minister appreciated his diplomatic gesture, which demonstrated a sophisticated diplomatic conversation amidst historical difficulties. Argentina’s President Milei supports diplomatic negotiations to resolve the Islas Malvinas dispute. The vote held in 2013 showed how strongly the people of the Falklands preferred to remain British.

In addition, Cameron’s visit served as a moving remembrance of the sacrifices made by those who died in the Falklands War and the islands’ emotional and historical value. Cameron restates that any engagement will prioritise the wishes of the Falkland Islanders over all other considerations, even as he works to build strong relations with Buenos Aires.

The journey highlights the South Atlantic’s complicated geopolitical environment, which is characterised by a persistence of historical grudges and conflicting territory claims.