Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will visit Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar in Gujarat today. During his day-long visit, the Vice-President will address the students and faculty members at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar. Later Mr. Dhankhar will also attend the Dharma Dhamma International Conference at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will also be present on the occasion.

In Tripura, even as the water level in the capital Agartala is receding, the flood situation continues to remain grim in Gomati and South Tripura districts. Four NDRF teams that reached Agartala yesterday have been deployed in Gomati and West Tripura districts for rescue and relief operations. Talking to Akashvani, Tripura Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey said that four more teams of NDRF are likely to reach the state soon.     He said even though the intensity of rainfall has decreased, there is a prediction from the IMD of heavy rainfall in the evening. The death toll in the rain-related incidents has gone up to 12. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister has assured Tripura Chief Minister that Centre is rushing teams of NDRF apart from boats and helicopters to the state to assist in rescue and relief operations.

President Droupadi Murmu today conferred upon Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 to renowned and distinguished scientists at Rashtrapati Bhavan.   Prof Govindarajan Padmanabhan was given the Vigyan Ratna 2024 award by the President.   Dr. Anandharamakrishnan received Vigyan Shri award in the field of Agricultural Science. Dr. Avesh Kumar Tyagi from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai was conferred upon Vigyan Shri award in the field of Atomic Energy.   Prof. Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune was awarded Vigyan Shri award in Biological Sciences.

Dr. Charlson P. is a distinguished swimming coach who has achieved remarkable recognition, including the prestigious Arabian Book of World Records and the URF World Record for continuous long-distance swimming across various bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and seas. His extensive contributions to swimming training and awareness initiatives have been instrumental in equipping individuals with essential skills for self-defense and the ability to save lives. Through his dedication, he has fostered a greater understanding of swimming's importance in personal safety and community well-being. Notably, Dr. Charlson has set an extraordinary world record by successfully teaching swimming techniques to 124 individuals within a mere 100 minutes, all without physical contact. This achievement not only highlights his exceptional coaching abilities but also underscores his innovative approach to teaching swimming. His methods have proven effective in rapidly imparting vital skills to a large number of learners, thereby promoting water safety and confidence among participants. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, Dr. Charlson has been honored with multiple accolades, including the Kerala Tourism Department's Best Lifeguard award on two occasions, a testament to his heroic efforts in saving over 50 lives. Furthermore, he was recently awarded the Indo Spanish International Award 2024 by Ernesto Pedro Global Services PVT LTD, further solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in swimming education and safety advocacy. His commitment to enhancing swimming skills and promoting safety continues to inspire many within the community.

In Tripura, there is no let up in the flood situation in several parts of the state due to continuous rainfall.   With the IMD forcasting an alert for extremely heavy rainfall for today, the state machinery is on its toes to mitigate the impact and provide relief to the people.   As the flood water has entered into the habitation areas,  people are facing tough times.   Major rivers like Gomati and Muhuri are flowing above the danger level and have destroyed hectares of cropping fields.   Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha conducted an on-ground assessment of the flood-affected areas in Agartala and visited shelter houses to take stock of the situation and ensure timely support to those in need.   In order to conduct health checkups of the people shifted in relief camps,  the chief minister has directed all the chief medical officers, medical superintendents and Subdivisional medical officers to visit such relief camps.   The health checkups are also been conducted to create awareness on sanitation for prevention of any disease outbreak. The Chief Minister also visited and inspected various flood-affected areas and relief camps to ensure that flood victims receive all necessary facilities.   Dr. Saha visited flood affected areas and relief camps in and around Agartala and has expressed anguish over the situation arised due to incessant rains in the city and state.   He also assessed the flood situation in Agartala through the Integrated Command and Control Centre at IT Bhavan in the city.

The first National Space Day 2024 will be celebrated across the country tomorrow. On this day last year, Chandrayaan-3 mission accomplished the safe and soft landing of Vikram Lander on the lunar surface.   President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the main function, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.   The theme for this year’s celebration is Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga, which emphasizes the profound impact of space exploration on society and technology.   Addressing a curtain raiser press conference in New Delhi yesterday, Minister of State for Space Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is the first National Space Day to be observed and it is not only a day of celebration but also a day of reflection, introspection and charting for the future.   He said, the space economy will grow five times in the next ten years to around 44 billion dollars.   Akashvani Correspondent reports that over one thousand events were organised across the country in the last one month to celebrate National Space Day.   Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon and ISRO Robotics Challenge were organised as part of the celebration.   The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru has planned several events to celebrate the National Space Day tomorrow in recognition of India soft landing Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander in the South Polar region of Moon.   Speaking exclusively to Akashvani News in Bengaluru, the Director of the Planetarium and former ISRO Scientist Dr B R Guruprasad informs about the activities planned on the National Space Day.   Apart from the exhibits, the Planetarium is also planning a lecture on the Moon and another on the exciting journey of Chandrayaan 3.   There will also be painting, pick and speak, JigSaw puzzle and walk in quiz organised on this occasion for children.

Pharmaceuticals Secretary Dr Arunish Chawla has emphasized that MediTech Stackathon is a bridge that connects outputs with the outcomes through its genuine policy stack. Addressing the inaugural session of MediTech Stackathon-II in New Delhi today, Dr Chawla mentioned that this Stackathon will fulfill Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.   He highlighted that under this Stackathon, various new initiatives were included and around 25 medical device clusters were identified where common facilities will be provided.   Dr Chawla also added that marginal investment support will be provided to industries that are performing well and the key components imported from outside can be domestically manufactured. He further mentioned that capacity-building programmes will be introduced to curb the country’s medical personnel shortage.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that a resurgent Africa and a rising India can give impetus to South-South Cooperation. Addressing the inaugural session of the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi today, Mr. Dhankhar said there is immense opportunity for India-Africa cooperation in the fields of clean technology, climate resilient agriculture, maritime security, connectivity, and blue economy. He said India is advancing its space sector cooperation with Africa and has seen significant digitisation across various sectors. The Vice President said India also provides capacity-building, training, and educational opportunities, reflecting its commitment to the African Union’s priorities. He said India is Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, and as the largest democracy and a dynamic country, India has built and nurtured a robust relationship with Africa. Mr. Dhankhar said the inclusion of the African Union during India’s G20 presidency was a moment of pride for India and an important geopolitical development. He said the theme of this India-Africa Business Conclave, ‘Creating One Future,’ is deeply embedded in Indian civilisational ethos and is amplified in the motto of India’s G20 presidency, which stands for ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.   Mr. Dhankhar said the conclave is an opportunity to come together, deliberate on contemporary and relevant themes, and synergise the efforts towards creating a common future for the well-being of all. Vice President of Zimbabwe Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga said a strong vision is key to deepening India-Africa relations. He said Africa has provided abundant investment opportunities for India, and by investing in and partnering with African enterprises, Indian companies can expand their global footprint. Mr. Chiwenga said a combination of India’s technological prowess and Africa’s rich mineral resources can lead to mutual and beneficial collaboration. Vice President of Mauritius Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon said Mauritius is the first African country to adopt India’s UPI system and the first non-Asian country to issue RuPay cards, enabling both Indian and African tourism. He said India-Mauritius bilateral ties also cover sectors related to agriculture, education, maritime security, and peacekeeping, among others. Mr. Boissézon said Mauritius and India are closely connected both geographically and economically, and the future focus will be on sustainability and food safety. Vice President of Liberia Jeremiah Kpan Koung said Liberia is open and ready for investment, especially in the hydro projects and various other initiatives. He said the African Nation is eager to collaborate with global partners to drive mutual growth and innovation and to build a prosperous future. Vice President of Gambia Muhammad B.S. Jallow said both sides are ready to explore innovative ideas and trade opportunities. He said Gambia is open for business, eager to promote new trade opportunities and create impactful joint ventures together.

India has called on Japan to remove regulatory bottlenecks that exist in the sharing of critical technologies. At the third ‘2+2’ dialogue in New Delhi yesterday, India and Japan agreed to prepare a new framework for security cooperation in line with the desire to further expand the overall strategic ties. The Indian delegation at the talks was headed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Japanese team was led by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru.      In his remarks, Dr. Jaishankar said both sides discussed the unfolding new avenues for technology, research, and industrial cooperation, including in the field of defence. Dr. Jaishankar said that a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific is the top priority for both countries. He also announced India’s decision to establish a new consulate in the Japanese city of Fukuoka. The Japanese foreign minister said India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to object to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

CBI has cautioned the public about a fake letter circulating on social media, purportedly from its office, related to the investigation into the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The CBI has termed the letter and its content as fake, noting that it mentions the name of a CBI officer seeking the withdrawal of the investigation into the case. The agency has clarified that there is no such officer working at the CBI and has urged people not to fall prey to this letter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Indian contingent for Paris Paralympics which will begin on 28th of this month. During the interaction which was held through video conferencing yesterday, Mr Modi said, the athletes are going to Paris as flagbearers of India. He said, this journey is going to be an extremely important journey of their life and career. The Prime Minister said, this journey is equally important to the country as well. He said, the country’s pride is linked to the presence of the athletes in Paris. Mr Modi said that 140 crore countrymen are blessing the athletes. He said, when an athlete reaches such a big stage in any sport, it reflects a story of courage, dedication, and sacrifice. The Prime Minister said, when it comes to para-athletes, the truth and challenge only intensify. He said, the Para Athletes reaching this point demonstrates how strong they are against all odds.   Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, this time, India is sending its biggest-ever contingent to participate in Paralympics. He said, 84 talented Indian athletes will represent India in Paris Paralympics 2024. Mr Mandaviya said, these athletes have not only shown excellence in sports but they have also proven that any hurdle can be crossed with willpower, dedication and hard work. He said, 50 per cent of these athletes are participating in the Paralympics for the first time. Mr Mandaviya said, it is also a matter of pride that Indian athletes bagged 19 medals in Tokyo Paralympics and 111 medals in 2022 Asian Para Games, giving their best performance and creating history. He expressed confidence that just like this, they will bring laurels to the country in Paris too.

In Telangana, heavy rain lashed several parts of Hyderabad and also other parts of the state from the wee hours. The Hyderabad Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert of heavy rain along with thunderstorms and lightning for various districts of the state for the next four days. For Hyderabad, the weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds.   As per the IMD records, Telangana has received normal rainfall during the current Southwest monsoon. The state received 556.7 mm rainfall on an average against the normal rainfall of 489.6 mm.