Author: Sharad Natani
India has begun construction of the Dibang Multipurpose Project (DMP) — set to be the country’s tallest dam at 278 metres — in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley. The move comes just months after reports emerged of China’s plans to build the world’s largest hydropower project on the trans-border Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. With a budget of Rs 31,875 crore and a 91-month deadline, the dam is slated for completion by 2032. The project is led by state-run NHPC Limited and aims to protect India from potential sudden water releases from Chinese dams while boosting renewable power generation. Powerhouse…
In a significant administrative development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of retired IAS officer Amit Khare (IAS: 1985, Jharkhand cadre) as the Secretary to the Vice-President of India. This prestigious position will be held on a three-year contractual basis, with Khare assuming charge shortly. A Distinguished Bureaucrat with Over Three Decades of Service Known for his impeccable record and reform-driven approach, Amit Khare is currently serving as Advisor to the Prime Minister since October 12, 2021, overseeing crucial social sector portfolios. His career spans more than 35 years, including influential roles at both the…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a landmark nationwide campaign, the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan’, on September 17 — his 75th birthday — alongside the 8th Poshan Maah, in what officials are calling India’s largest women and child health mobilisation in recent years. A First-of-Its-Kind National Campaign The initiative is a joint effort between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD). It will run until October 2, bringing together government ministries, private hospitals, NGOs, and community groups in a whole-of-society push to improve women’s and children’s health across India.…
Few stories embody grit and courage like that of Rinku Singh Rahi, the IAS officer who stared death in the face, fought corruption, and rose again to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Shot seven times, losing an eye and enduring multiple surgeries, Rahi’s journey is an extraordinary example of perseverance and integrity. From Aligarh to Muzaffarnagar — A Reformer’s Rise A native of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rinku Singh Rahi began his civil service career in 2007 after clearing the PSC exam, becoming a District Social Welfare Officer. In June 2008, posted in Muzaffarnagar, he brought in reforms aimed at…
In a major push to expand affordable healthcare access, the Union Government has eased the rules for setting up Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in metropolitan and million-plus cities. The minimum-distance requirement between outlets has been removed, paving the way for more pharmacies under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). What’s New in the Guidelines A fresh circular issued by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) on September 10 announced that: ●The no-distance restriction now applies to the seven metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. ●It also extends to 46 cities with a…
At the Eco-Warrior Awards 2025, Uttar Pradesh’s record-breaking afforestation campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” took center stage, bagging the Innovative Initiatives Award for its historic tree plantation drive under Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sunil Chaudhary. The initiative has planted a staggering 210 crore trees, making it one of the largest community-driven green movements in the world. From Slogan to Mass Movement Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day (June 5, 2024), “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” went beyond being a government program — it became a people’s movement. In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi…