NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

Manila: The nearest Indonesian international airport to a volcano that erupted five times in recent days has been ordered closed for 24 hours due to volcanic ash, the transport ministry said Thursday. Sam Ratulangi International Airport in the city of Manado, located more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Mount Ruang, was forced to close until Thursday evening "due to the spread of volcanic ash which could endanger flight safety," Ambar Suryoko, head of the Manado region airport authority office, said in a statement.

New Delhi : The government has notified amendments to the foreign direct investment policy in the space sector to attract offshore investors in satellite manufacturing and satellite launch vehicles segments. Amendment made in the FDI policy for space sector through a gazette notification dated April 16, 2024, prescribes liberalized entry route and provides clarity for FDI in satellites, launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, creation of spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft and manufacturing of space-related components and systems. "These rules may be called the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024," the gazette notification said. The liberalized entry routes under the amended policy are aimed at attracting potential investors in the Indian companies in space. The Union Cabinet earlier this year gave approval to these amendments. The notification comes days ahead of the scheduled visit of Tesla CEO Elon Musk who is expected to meet with various Indian space companies during his visit from April 21 to 22. Concurrently, approvals for Musk's satellite internet project, Starlink, are nearing finalization. As per the notification, up to 74 per cent FDI for satellite manufacturing & operation, satellite data products and ground segment & user segment are allowed under automatic route. Beyond 74 per cent these activities are under government route. FDI up to 49 per cent is allowed for Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft are under automatic route but beyond 49 per cent government permission would be required. Besides, 100 per cent FDI allowed for manufacturing of components and systems/ sub-systems for satellites, ground segment and user segment without government permission. As per the earlier norms, FDI was permitted in establishment and operation of Satellites through the government approval route only. In line with the vision and strategy under the Indian Space Policy 2023, the Union Cabinet has eased the FDI policy in the Space sector by prescribing liberalized FDI thresholds for various sub-sectors/activities. The Department of Space consulted with internal stakeholders like IN-SPACE, ISRO and NSIL as well as several industrial stakeholders. NGEs have developed capabilities and expertise in the areas of satellites and launch vehicles. With increased investment, they would be able to achieve sophistication of products, global scale of operations and enhanced share of the global space economy.

Ram Navami is being celebrated today across the country with religious fervour and enthusiasm. The festival marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Devotees in large numbers are visiting Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to pay obeisance to Lord Ram. Our Ayodhya correspondent has filed a report. This was the first Ram Navami celebration since the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lala idol at the Ayodhya temple earlier this year. The Ram Navami was also celebrated in Chitrakoot in the spiritual atmosphere. In Uttar Pradesh, Ram Navami is being celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across the state. There is special joy in Ramnagari Ayodhya. On this occasion, at 12.16 pm today, the Sun Tilak lit up on the forehead of the statue of Lord Ramlala seated in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. This is the first Ram Navami in Ayodhya after the consecration of Shri Ramlala. Followers of Sanatan Dharma from all over the world today witnessed the historic, amazing and unique scene of Surya Tilak created by the rays of Lord Diwakar on the forehead of Ramlala as soon as he appeared in the newly constructed divine and grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, which was done by the eminent scientists of the country after four years of practice. And  research. Amidst the chanting of Shri Ram Sankirtan and Veda mantras, the devotees became emotional and started cheering after seeing their beloved incarnate on earth. 56 types of offerings were made to Lord Ramlala and prasad distributed among the 7000 sevaks and devotees present on the premises including security forces and construction personnel. In Jammu and Kashmir, the nine-day long deeply revered Shat Chandi Maha Yagya organised by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board during Chaitra Navratra for the universal peace and prosperity concluded on a grand note with “Purna Ahuthi” on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami today. Our correspondent reports that three lakh pilgrims made their journey to the revered Shrine during the auspicious Chaitra Navratri. In Maharashtra, Ram Navami has been celebrated with devotion and traditional fervour. In Nashik’s Kalaram Temple, Maha Arti was performed in the morning. Gora Ram and other temples also celebrated the Ram Navami festival with full devotion. A large number of devotees gathered to take blessings and Prasad in these temples. In Shirdi’s Saibaba temple, various rituals were performed.  Today mandir will be open for devotees for the whole night. The Chaitra festival at Nashik’s Saptashrungi temple began from today. This festival will continue till Hanuman Jayanti. The state transport department has arranged additional buses for the convenience of devotees. In other places also various functions were organised in ram Navami. Ram Navami festival has been celebrated today in different parts of West Bengal amid tight security. On the occasion, pujas and processions have been organized by various religious organizations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her X handle today wished the people of the state on Ramnavami. At the same time, she appealed to maintain peace and order everywhere. The state government has declared the day as a holiday. Governor CV Anand Bose performed puja at the Ram Mandir at Dahi Ghat, Central Kolkata on the occasion of Ram Navami. He also wished everyone on Ramnavami. BJP state President Sukanta Majumder participated in Ramnavami pujas and processions at various places in South Dinajpur today. On the other hand, Leader of Opposition Subhendu Adhikari attended the Ram Navami festival at Newtown and offered puja and later took part in a procession. Apart from this, BJP candidates also participated in the Ramnavami festival and held processions in different parts of the state since yesterday.

Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will address two public meetings today in Gaya and Purnia in Bihar in support of NDA candidates. First election rally will be held in Gaya parliamentary constituency where Mr. Modi will address a public meeting at Gandhi Maidan this morning. The second public meeting will be held at Rangbhoomi Maidan in Purnia this afternoon. After the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, this is the third visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bihar. Earlier, he had held public meetings in Jamui and Nawada parliamentary constituencies this month. Polling will be held in Gaya in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on 19th April, while Purnia Lok Sabha segment will go to the polls on 26th April in the second phase.

With the Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand drawing nearer, the state’s major political parties, Congress and BJP, are ramping up their campaign activities. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Amit Shah is slated to address a public gathering at Kotdwar, within the Garhwal parliamentary constituency this afternoon. BJP has fielded Anil Baluni for the Garhwal Lok Sabha seat against Ganesh Godiyal of Congress. The campaign machinery of Congress, BSP and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal is also operating at full throttle. Notably, on April 19th, a significant 83,37,914 eligible voters in the state will exercise their franchise, determining the electoral fate of 55 candidates vying for the five Lok Sabha seats.

Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi on Monday (15th April 2024) said that he takes decisions for the wholesome development of the nation. Speaking in an interview with a news agency, Mr Modi spelt out his vision for a developed India by 2047. The Prime Minister said, when he say that he has big plans, no one should be scared. The Prime Minister revealed that work on the ambitious 2047 Viksit Bharat project has been ongoing for the last two years. Mr Modi said, the implementation of ‘One nation, One election’ is the commitment of his government. He said, the committee formed under chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to prepare the report on ‘One nation, One election’, received very positive and innovative suggestions. He said, the committee has also submitted its report. He said, the country will benefit a lot if the report is implemented. Refuting the opposition parties’ allegations of being targeted by the BJP government, Mr Modi said that the maximum number of cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate are against those persons and entities who have no connection with politics. He said, the honest person has nothing to fear about but those involved in corruption has fear of sin. Replying to a query on electoral bond, Mr Modi said, it was meant to fight the use of black money in election. He added that everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection on the scheme.

In a good news to farmers, the country is likely to receive above normal monsoon rainfall this year. Briefing media on Southwest Monsoon season rainfall forecast in New Delhi, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr M. Ravichandran said, the monsoon seasonal rainfall from June to September is likely to be 106 per cent of the long period average. He however said that in some areas of northwest, east and northeastern states, the rainfall is likely to be below normal. On the occasion, DG, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that from 1st June to 30th September, the average of the total rainfall of the entire country will be 87 cm. He said, El Niño conditions are likely to weaken during the early part of the monsoon season. Dr Mohapatra said, La Nina conditions, associated with good Monsoon in India will develop between August to September. He added that the data from 1951 to 2023 shows that India experienced above-normal monsoon rainfall on nine occasions when La Nina followed El Nino event.

The Indian Army contingent departed on Monday (15th April 2024) to take part in the fifth edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK. The exercise will be conducted from 15th to 28th of this month at Termez in Uzbekistan. According to the Defence Ministry, the Indian Armed Forces contingent comprises 60 personnel while 100 personnel will participate from the Uzbekistan side. The exercise is aimed at fostering military cooperation and enhancing combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous as well as semi urban terrain. Focus will be laid on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills during the DUSTLIK exercise. The exercise will enable the two sides to share their best practices and facilitate inter-operability. Exercise DUSTLIK is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan. Last edition was conducted at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand in February last year.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the third term of the Narendra Modi led government will be dedicated to a ‘Vikasit Bharat’. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Monday (15th April 2024) , Mr Goyal said that the NDA Government is proud that they could fulfill all promises that they had made to the public in 2014 and 2019 elections. Speaking about the achievements of NDA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he highlighted Ram Mandir, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), abrogation of Article 370, Triple Talaq, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, building of toilets and pucca houses among others

National Highways Authority of India, NHAI has organised a daylong National Workshop on Environment and Forest Clearance including Eco-friendly Mitigation Measures in New Delhi on Monday (15th April 2024) . The workshop aims to lay a solid foundation for expanding the country’s National Highway infrastructure using eco-friendly practices. It deliberated upon the issues related to project clearances and mitigation strategies to build environment friendly highways infrastructure across the country. Addressing the gathering at the event, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav reiterated NHAI’s commitment towards building sustainable infrastructure and highlighted initiatives such as Wildlife Corridors, Amrit Sarovar, Plantation Drives and usage of waste materials in constructing Green National Highways. Delivering the keynote address at the workshop, Director General of Forests Jitendra Kumar has underlined the need to expedite planning process by improving inter-departmental collaboration and building a solid roadmap towards adoption of green practices in Highways construction. Secretary of Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways Anurag Jain emphasised the need to improve detailed project reports and adopt a collaborative approach using PM Gati Shakti’s framework to efficiently develop sustainable infrastructure across the country. Several officials and stakeholders of NHAI, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have attended the workshop.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has said that national progress can be achieved only by an experienced leader who can take bold measures, thinks big, has global understanding and respect and a record to deliver guarantees and meet the aspirations of the poor and youth. Addressing media persons in Bengaluru today, Dr. Jaishankar said that a strong majority government and a forward looking leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi can achieve national progress. Pointing out at the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza strip, tensions in Red Sea and Arabian sea and challenges in the Indo Pacific region, the Union Minister said that a leader who can take strong position like Mr. Modi will help India. He noted that India is today Vishwa Bandhu which accomplished the responsibility of G20 summit to the satisfaction of its members.

The Enforcement Agencies have made a record seizure of over four thousand 650 crore rupees before the first phase of polling for the 18th Lok Sabha elections commences on Friday. Election Commission has said, this marks a sharp increase over three thousand 475 crore rupees seized during the entire Lok Sabha election in 2019. The Commission said, 45 per cent of the seizures are of drugs and narcotics. It said, the seizures have been possible by comprehensive planning, scaled-up collaboration and unified deterrence action from agencies and proactive citizen participation. The Election Commission stated that one hundred crore rupees seizure was made each day since 1st March of this year. The commission said, the enhanced seizures reflect Election Commission’s unwavering commitment to monitor inducements and curb electoral malpractices for a level playing field, particularly in favour of smaller and less resourceful parties. The seizures are a critical part of Election Commission resolve to conduct the Lok Sabha elections free of inducements and electoral malpractices and to ensure a level playing field. The commission has also taken strict action against 106 government servants who have been found assisting politicians in campaigning, thereby violating the Code of Conduct and instructions.