NATIONAL NEWS

Ayodhya Parv 2025: Celebrating Ayodhya’s Spiritual and Cultural Heritage

• Ayodhya Parv 2025 will be held from April 11 to 13 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi, showcasing Ayodhya’s rich cultural and spiritual legacy.

• The event brings together religious leaders, cultural thinkers, scholars, and artists from across India.

• Padma Shri Vasudev Kamath inaugurated the festival on April 11, featuring an exhibition inspired by Lord Rama.

• Two other exhibitions will highlight Sundarakanda Pahari miniatures and the 'Chaurasi Kos Parikrama' pilgrimage around Ayodhya.

• On April 12, there will be symposia discussing Temple Management and the cultural influence of Goswami Tulsidas.

• A symposium on Shri Ram in Kuber Nath Rai's writings will take place on April 13, focusing on Hindi scholars.

• The festival concludes with a closing ceremony featuring Pujya Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj and Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, followed by Alha singing and folk performances.

• Organized by IGNCA and Shri Ayodhya Nyas, the event honors India's spiritual, artistic, and cultural traditions.

STATE NEWS

AI Rising Grand Challenge: Empowering Public Sector Innovation in Telangana

• The Telangana government has launched the AI Rising Grand Challenge to address public sector challenges through innovative AI solutions.

• Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the initiative, aimed at creating a unified data exchange that combines high-quality datasets from various government departments and partner organizations.

• The platform provides secure, structured access to datasets, supporting the development, testing, and scaling of AI solutions in real-world situations.

• By encouraging collaboration between government, startups, industry, and academia, the initiative seeks to foster innovation and accelerate AI adoption in the state.

• The State IT Electronics and Communication Department and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are leading the challenge, with additional support from other ecosystem partners.

• The challenge focuses on impactful AI applications in sectors such as education, healthcare, and public transport, aiming to improve governance and enhance citizen services.

• The winners in each sector will receive a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh to implement pilot projects in Telangana, further advancing AI-driven solutions in the state.

PM Modi Launches ₹3,880 Crore Development Projects in Varanasi & Visits Madhya Pradesh

• On April 11, PM Narendra Modi launched development projects worth ₹3,880 crore in Varanasi to improve infrastructure and road connectivity.

• Key initiatives include a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih, and a highway underpass tunnel at Varanasi International Airport, costing over ₹980 crore.

• In the energy sector, two 400 kV and one 220 kV transmission substations were inaugurated, worth ₹1,045 crore, benefitting Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur districts.

• PM Modi laid the foundation for a 220 kV substation at Chaukaghat, a 132 kV substation at Ghazipur, and a new electricity distribution system for Varanasi city, totaling over ₹775 crore.

• He distributed Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to citizens aged 70+ and presented Geographical Indication (GI) certificates for local specialties like tabla, painting, and thandai.

• In Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi visited Anandpur Dham in Ashoknagar and participated in darshan and pooja at Guru Ji Maharaj Temple.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates New Badnawar-Ujjain National Highway & Announces Major Infrastructure Projects in Madhya Pradesh

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Badnawar-Ujjain National Highway in Madhya Pradesh, built at a cost of ₹1,352 crore under the Bharatmala initiative.

• At the same event, 10 new road projects spanning 328 kilometers were announced, with an estimated investment of ₹5,800 crore.

• Mr. Gadkari revealed plans to develop five Greenfield Economic Corridors in the state, with an investment of ₹33,000 crore.

• A world-class bridge will be constructed over the Narmada River in Omkareshwar as part of these infrastructure enhancements.

• The minister also shared plans for six new ropeway systems across Madhya Pradesh, with a total investment of ₹1,200 crore.

• He emphasized that ₹3 lakh crore worth of infrastructure projects will be completed in the state within the next year.

SPORTS

Indian Shooters Win Silver at 2025 ISSF World Cup

• Rudrankksh Patil and Arya Borse clinched the silver medal in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

• The Indian pair was defeated in the final by China’s Song Buhan and Wang Zifei, with a score of 17-9 in favor of the Chinese team.

• This silver medal brought India’s total medal count at the event to seven, including four golds, two silvers, and one bronze.

• India is currently ranked second in the medal standings, while China leads the table.

AWARDS

President Droupadi Murmu Awarded Honorary Doctorate by Constantine the Philosopher University

• President Droupadi Murmu was conferred an Honorary Doctorate (Dr. h. c.) by Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to public service, social justice, women’s empowerment, education, and cultural diversity.

• In her address, President Murmu shared her inspiring journey from being a teacher to becoming the President of India, emphasizing the transformative power of education.

• Constantine the Philosopher University is one of Slovakia’s leading institutions, named after Saint Constantine – Cyril, a key historical figure.

• The Honorary Doctorate is awarded by the university’s Scientific Council to individuals who have significantly advanced education, culture, science, humanism, democracy, and international understanding.