The Indian Army today said that women soldiers from both India and the US are playing pivotal roles in every phase of the exercise in Yudh Abhyas 2024. Earlier yesterday, the Spokesperson of Defence said that over 1,200 Indian and US troops are currently pushing their limits in Rajasthan’s rugged terrain, honing firepower and endurance in real-time counter-terrorism drills. India and US army personnel are training together to bolster interoperability and enhance synergy between forces of both nations in the 20th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas 2024.’ Notably, army personnel have been training together at the Foreign Training Node, Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, since September 9 and will continue till Sunday.

Government’s Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood has said that Artificial Intelligence is a transformative force of the country’s progress. Addressing the AI India Conclave 2024  in New Delhi today, Mr Sood said that it is the collective responsibility of the industry to ensure that the benefits of AI are harnessed for greater good. He also urged everyone to join the AI revolution for the betterment of the country. The theme of the Conclave is ‘Embracing AI Revolution for Viksit Bharat’. During the event, Mr Sood also released a report by FICCI on ‘Identifying AI Generated Content in the Digital Age: The Role of Watermarking.’

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has launched a new MSME Policy- 2024 to mainly tackle six key challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The policy involves a 4 thousand crore rupees investment over five years. Along with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy formally launched the policy in Hyderabad yesterday. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister appreciated former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao’s policies for opening India’s economy through liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation (LPG). He said, the new policy creates industrial opportunities accessible to Dalits and women, and for encouraging MSMEs. He assured that his government will fulfil the previous administration’s incentive promises, regardless of political changes. Stating that there is a gap between education and jobs and a shortage of skilled workers, he said, discussions with TATA led to a plan to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with 2400 crore rupees investment.

India and the United States reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation in areas including defence, technology, space cooperation, clean energy and maritime domain awareness. The two sides took stock of the progress during a bilateral 2+2 inter-sessional meeting held in New Delhi on Monday.   The External Affairs Ministry said, the officials also had an opportunity to exchange assessments on a range of regional and international issues during the meeting. The 2+2 inter-sessional laid the groundwork in the lead up to the next 2+2 ministerial dialogue to advance the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.   The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by the Joint Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu, and the Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Vishwesh Negi. The American delegation was headed by US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a visit to the US from 21st to 23rd September. He will take part in the fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on 21st September. Following the request by the US to host this year’s Summit, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025. The External Affairs Ministry said, the leaders at the summit will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year. They will set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations. Mr. Modi will address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly in New York on the 23rd of September. The theme of the summit is ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’. A large number of global leaders are expected to participate in the summit. On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with various world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest. The Prime Minister will address a gathering of the Indian community in New York. He would also be interacting with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. The Prime Minister is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape.

Incessant rains coupled with strong winds have paralysed normal life across Jharkhand. Culverts and diversion have been washed away in Latehar, Gumla, and Garhwa districts. Trees were uprooted in many parts of the state, including Palamu, Bokaro Ramgarh, and Chatra. Heavy rains coupled with thunderstorms damaged electric poles in Ranchi, Khunti, Jamshedpur, and Lohardagga, leading to power disruption in many areas.   Standing crops and vegetables were also perished. The water level of Damodar, Swarnrekha, and Bhairavi rivers is rapidly increasing. Low-lying areas along these rivers have been inundated, and people have been advised to move to safer places. Eight radial gates of Tenughat Dam have been opened following heavy rains. Similarily, Patratu Dam gates have also been opened. The Met Department has forecast heavy rains in many parts of the state in the next 24 hours.

On the occasion of the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda will inaugurate a blood donation camp under Seva Pakhwada at the party headquarters in New Delhi tomorrow. Mr Nadda will also inaugurate an exhibition based on the life of the Prime Minister.

The second edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference will begin in New Delhi tomorrow. The Conference is the apex-level biannual event facilitating deliberations on significant strategic, operational and administrative issues between the Naval Commanders. The Defence Ministry said the four-day conference will commence with the inaugural address by the Chief of Naval Staff. He will review major operational, Logistic, Training and Administrative activities pursued by the Indian Navy over the last six months and deliberate upon key milestones to be crossed to safeguard maritime interests. The conference, which will be held against the backdrop of evolving geo-political and geo-strategic dynamics, regional challenges and complexity in maritime security situations in West Asia, will play a crucial role in shaping the future course of the Indian Navy.   During the Conference, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh is likely to address the Naval Commanders on Thursday on matters of national security and national expectations. The Chief of Defence Staff along with the Chiefs of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force will engage with Naval Commanders to foster collaborations amongst the three Services.   The Ministry said the Indian Navy has responded with strength and resolve against emerging threats of drones and missiles affecting the safety of trade, demonstrating its capability as a Preferred Security Responder in the Indian Ocean Region. During the conference, the Commanders will also review the ongoing Naval projects to enhance indigenisation through Make in India in consonance with the vision of completing Aatmanirbharta by 2047.

President Droupadi Murmu has extended her greetings to the citizens, especially the Muslim community, on the occasion of Milad un Nabi. The birthday of Prophet Muhammad is celebrated as Milad-un-Nabi. In her message, President Murmu said the Prophet inspired everyone to strengthen the feelings of love and brotherhood and stressed on equality and harmony in society. President said the Prophet encouraged people to be compassionate towards others and serve humanity. The President urged people to imbibe the teachings of the Holy Quran and resolve to build a peaceful society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Civil Aviation. The Declaration was adopted unanimously after the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference in New Delhi yesterday. The Declaration is a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, addressing emerging challenges and fostering sustainable growth in the civil aviation sector in the Asia-Pacific region.    Addressing the conference, Prime Minister said, India is now moving forward to become a leading aviation hub by the end of this decade and will be among the most well-connected regions in the coming years. Mr Modi said India is today a strong pillar of the global civil aviation ecosystem and the growth of the civil aviation sector in the country is unprecedented. He said the number of airports has doubled in India in the past ten years and the country has become aviation-inclusive. Prime Minister said, a growing number of lower-middle-class and middle-class Indians even from smaller cities and towns are now travelling by air, which was earlier limited to well-off Indians mostly from big cities.

Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the Government has been keen in promoting self-reliance of women which paves way for their dignified living and also empowers them towards achievement.  Speaking after, distributing sewing machines as part of the welfare scheme at Coimbatore today, the Minister said that more than two lakh women from Coimbatore have joined the Prime Minister Jeevan Jyothi Yojana Scheme. The Finance Minister said that 60 percent of the women have started their own bank accounts in the Country. Describing schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Jeevan Surakhsha Atal Pension Yojana , Mudra and Start up schemes the Minister said that the Central Government was earnestly working for the betterment of all sections of people in the society. The Finance Minister described the futuristic approach of the Government for the development of the Nation with regard to women and youth of the Society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the second Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. The Prime Minister will proclaim the adoption of the “Delhi Declaration,” by all the member states. The Delhi Declaration is a visionary roadmap to elevate the region’s aviation sector to new heights.         Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu inaugurated the second Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Naidu was elected the Chairman of Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation. He called for strategic investments in Asia-Pacific aviation infrastructure to accommodate 3.5 billion annual passengers by 2035. He emphasised that India aims to increase women’s participation in aviation workforce to 25 percent by 2025.   This conference and the adoption of the Delhi Declaration represent a significant step forward in advancing safety, security, and sustainability in the Asia Pacific civil aviation sector. It highlights the spirit of cooperation that exists among the countries of this region.India is the fastest growing aviation market in the world and is currently the third largest in the domestic segment. In the last decade, the number of aircraft in India has increased from 400 to more than 800 and airports have exponentially grown from 74 to 157. The government’s initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) have enhanced regional connectivity, ensuring that even remote areas are integrated into the aviation network.