In July 2023, the defence ministry approved the purchase of 26 Rafale (marine) jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday cleared a proposal to procure 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of around `64,000 crore for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, sources in the defence establishment said.

The delivery of the jets will begin around five years after the signing of the contract under an inter-governmental framework between India and France.

In July 2023, the defence ministry accorded the initial approval for the mega acquisition following a series of deliberations and evaluation tests of the platform.

Under the deal, the Indian Navy will also get associated ancillary equipment including weapon systems and spares from Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale (Marine) jets.

The Indian Air Force bought 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in fly-away condition.

There is a thinking in the IAF that it should go for at least two more squadrons of Rafale jets.

The defence and strategic ties between India and France have been on an upswing in the last few years.

In July 2023, India and France announced a raft of ground-breaking defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines. The two strategic partners also had expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.

The Defence Ministry also approved a proposal nearly two years back to procure three Scorpene submarines to further crank up India’s naval prowess.

However, the CCS is yet to approve it. Under Navy’s Project 75, six Scorpene submarines have already been constructed in India by Mazagon Dock Ltd in cooperation with Naval Group of France.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of UAE will be on a two-day visit to India starting Tuesday ​at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced Monday.

This would be Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s first official visit to India as the Crown Prince of Dubai and he will be accompanied by several ministers, senior government officials and a high-level business delegation.

Prime Minister Modi will host a working lunch for the visiting dignitary on Tuesday and the Crown Prince is also scheduled to hold meetings with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

After Delhi, the Crown Prince will visit Mumbai and will also participate in a business roundtable with prominent business leaders from both sides. The interaction will strengthen India–UAE economic and commercial cooperation across traditional and futuristic areas.

“Traditionally, Dubai has played an important role in India’s commercial, cultural and people-to-people exchanges with the UAE. Majority of India’s around 4.3 million diaspora in UAE reside and work in Dubai. The visit of His Highness the Crown Prince will further solidify the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and strengthen our multifaceted ties with Dubai,” read a statement issued by the MEA.

EAM Jaishankar had extended Prime Minister’s invitation to the Crown Prince to visit India at an early date during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on January 27-29, this year.

“Delighted to meet Crown Prince of Dubai and DPM and Minister of Defence of UAE HH Hamdan Mohammed. A warm conversation on our deep bonds of friendship and taking them forward for the good of our people,” the EAM had posted on X after the meeting which strengthened further India’s strong and ever-growing economic and people-to-people ties with Dubai.

source/content: ianslive.in (headline edited)

Smartphones have now become India’s single largest export commodity, crossing an all-time high of Rs 2,00,000 crore in FY25 which is a staggering 55 per cent annual growth, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) said on Friday.

India’s total mobile phone production is also estimated to have reached Rs 5,25,000 crore in FY25, up significantly from Rs 4,22,000 crore in the previous fiscal year, thus signalling an unprecedented ‘Make in India’ success.

“This reflects the growing strength and maturity of India’s electronics sector. The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has played a central role in this transformation. It has helped build scale, attract leading global investments, and position India as a competitive and reliable manufacturing base for the world,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA.

The phenomenal surge in exports is driven primarily by the strategic implementation of the PLI scheme, which has transformed India into one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile manufacturing hubs.

The scheme has attracted substantial global investments, enhancing India’s competitiveness, scale, and capability to integrate deeply into Global Value Chains (GVCs).

The export momentum is led by global companies such as Apple and Samsung, which have scaled their manufacturing operations significantly in India.

“Our foremost priority is to nurture scale in mobile phone manufacturing, drive export-led growth, enhance competitiveness, expand into new markets, and address existing cost and operational disabilities,” said Mohindroo.

With mobile phone production now reaching a substantive scale of Rs. 5,25,000 crore per annum, this momentum will provide the thrust needed to build capacities and capabilities in the domestic component ecosystem.

“We now need to double down on our efforts to create a sustainable, long-term ecosystem that can anchor India’s leadership in the global electronics value chain,” he mentioned.

The recent shifts in global trade dynamics, particularly the reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, have opened strategic opportunities for Indian electronics in the US market.

“Our vision is to position India as the principal manufacturing partner and preferred supplier for all major global markets. The world must see India as a natural and strategic choice in electronics manufacturing,” Mohindroo added.

source/content: ianslive.in (headline edited)

European aerospace manufacturer Airbus on Wednesday announced that it has awarded a contract for manufacturing the main fuselage assembly of the H130 helicopter to Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. in India.

Mahindra will produce the H130’s main fuselage assembly, which will then be shipped to Airbus Helicopters’ facilities in Europe. The manufacturing will commence immediately, with the first cabin assembly scheduled for delivery by March 2027.

“We have a strategic plan for India and we are implementing it to develop a holistic aerospace ecosystem across all dimensions: assembly, manufacturing, engineering, innovation, digital and training,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director Airbus India and South Asia.

“The H130 fuselage manufacturing contract underscores Airbus’ confidence in the growing industrial excellence of the Indian supply chain, which offers the right mix of competencies and competitiveness. We are glad to extend this bond with India through our latest association with our partner Mahindra Aerostructures,” Maillard added.

Mahindra already supplies a variety of parts and sub-assemblies for Airbus’ commercial aircraft programmes and the latest contract is a continuous expansion of its portfolio of capabilities that now includes larger and more complex aerostructures.

Last October, Airbus’ inaugurated its Final Assembly Line for the C295 military aircraft in Vadodara. It has also announced a Final Assembly Line for the H125 helicopter but the location is yet to be announced.

The H130 is an intermediate single-engine helicopter used for passenger transport, tourism and private and business aviation, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge becomes the first Indian film to be honored at London’s ‘Scenes in the Square’ movie trail in London.

Iconic Bollywood on-screen couple Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will soon be immortalised in bronze, as their classic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) becomes the first Indian film to be honoured at London’s celebrated Scenes in the Square movie trail in Leicester Square.

A statue to celebrate DDLJ

According to Yash Raj Films, the Heart of London Business Alliance has announced a new statue will be joining the exciting ‘Scenes in the Square’ movie trail in Leicester Square, with historic blockbuster Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) erected statue in London.

This will mark the start of 30-year celebrations of DDLJ, one of the most loved blockbuster Hindi films of all time, the timeless and multi-award-winning rom-com which also marked the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra.

The bronze statue will depict the two Bollywood megastars, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, in an iconic DDLJ pose. Set to be unveiled in Spring this year, the latest announcement signifies how the film is loved by the over five million strong British South Asian community as per YRF.

About DDLJ

DDLJ follows two non-resident Indians, Raj and Simran, and their star-crossed love story across Europe and India, beginning on a train from King’s Cross Station.

The location couldn’t be more fitting, with Leicester Square featuring in DDLJ in a scene when Raj and Simran first cross paths, unknown to one another, before setting off on their memorable European adventure.

The scene on which a statue will be erected features Raj(Shah Rukh Khan) in front of the Vue Cinema and Simran (Kajol) walking past the Odeon Leicester Square.

As per YRF, the new statue will be positioned along the eastern terrace outside the Odeon Cinema to honour this scene.

With this, the DDLJ stars Shah Rukh Khan & Kajol join the who’s who of international cinema at Scenes in the Square, alongside ten other film icons from the past 100 years.

DDLJ will be next to iconic film characters like Harry Potter, Laurel & Hardy, Bugs Bunny, Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Mr. Bean, Paddington and DC Super-Heroes Batman and Wonder Woman.

Mark Williams, Deputy Chief Executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, expressed his happiness at including Shah Rukh and Kajol’s statues in the trail alongside other renowned artists from international cinema.

He called it a “fitting tribute to Bollywood’s global popularity and a celebration of London’s rich diversity.”

“It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to add to our trail Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, who are such titans of international cinema. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one of the most successful and important Bollywood films of all time, and we’re excited by the prospect of bringing to the trail the first film that actually features Leicester Square as a location. The statue is a fitting tribute to the global popularity of Bollywood and a celebration of London’s rich diversity. We’re in no doubt it will attract fans from all around the world to Leicester Square, the home of film and entertainment,” said Mark Williams, as quoted by YRF press note.

Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, is thrilled that DDLJ has become the first Indian film to be represented in the ‘Scenes of Square’.

“When Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) was released 30 years ago, the film became a defining moment for Indian cinema and changed the face of the industry, capturing the hearts of everyone who saw it all over the globe. We’re thrilled to be the first Indian film to be represented in ‘Scenes in the Square’. It also marks 30 years of DDLJ, a film that has spread love and joy globally and shows the cultural impact it has had in the UK.”

He continued, “We are honoured that our superstars and our film are being recognised on the world stage alongside the Hollywood elite, from Gene Kelly to Laurel & Hardy to Harry Potter. This statue will be a great way to express the international appeal of Indian movies and build bridges amongst communities through cinema.”DDLJ was released in 1995. Apart from the lead actors, the film also starred Amrish Puri and Anupam Kher in the lead roles.

(Via inputs from ANI)

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The application allows registered users to post seat-swapping requests by entering their current seat details, desired seat or coach and train information.

IIT Bhubaneswar has developed a mobile and web application called Simply-Swap, designed to facilitate seat swapping among train passengers.

“Many a times, train travelers belonging to the same family face the challenge of reservation seats located in different coaches. Traditionally, such passengers seek seat swaps through direct requests to fellow travelers but meet with limited success. Based on his personal experience with seat-swapping requests, Srikant Gollapudi conceptualised an app that could facilitate seat swapping among train passengers with negligible effort,” a media release said.

The app was developed by students Rustam Kumar and Sangam Mishra from the department of computer science and faculty members Gollapudi and Srinivas Pinisetty.

The application allows registered users to post seat-swapping requests by entering their current seat details, desired seat or coach and train information. Any other user traveling on the same train with a seat reservation in the specified coach can view the request and opt to accept the swap.

Once a match is found, the app facilitates the swapping process, reducing the stress of manual coordination.

“The IIT Bhubaneswar team believes Simply-Swap could significantly enhance passenger convenience and satisfaction if the app is integrated into Indian Railways’ services,” the release said.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

It would be the first time that aircraft would be manufactured in India based on technology fully designed and developed indigenously,

In a first, the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) — a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) body — has signed a technology transfer agreement with a private company to manufacture trainer airplanes in India. This would be the first time that aircraft would be manufactured in India based on technology fully designed and developed indigenously.

The Hansa-3 NG aircraft is a two-seater aircraft and is the latest iteration of the HANSA planes that have been made by NAL since 1998. Fourteen Hansa planes have been made over the years by NAL and used by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Indian Institutes of Technology. “While we have had a successful track record, we have now managed to seal a partnership with a private company which will manufacture these planes,” said N. Kalaiselvi, Director-General, CSIR.

The company, Pioneer Clean AMPS Pvt Limited, is expected to set up manufacturing facilities as well as handle marketing, servicing and after-sales, though NAL would be closely involved in the initial years to help them with various aspects of the manufacturing and operations, said Abhay Pashlikar, Director, CSIR-NAL.

At present, all of the aircraft being used in India’s flying training organsations are imported. Kishor Patel, Founder and Managing Director, Pioneer Clean AMPS told The Hindu that his company — newly setup for aircraft manufacturing — hoped to offer a “competitive value” to these organisations. “The aviation sector is rapidly growing and with that, demand for trained pilots. We expect that locally manufactured aircraft trainers will be cheaper and will also offer better value — in terms of quick turnaround time for maintenance — than foreign planes,” he said on the sidelines of a press event on Friday (April 4, 2025), to announce the technology transfer.

While costs are not clear, Mr. Pashlikar told The Hindu that over the “lifecycle of an aircraft” the Hansa planes would likely cost ₹3 crore or “about half” what comparable imported planes would costs.

‘Needs doubled’

“Today we stand as the third largest domestic aviation market in the country,” said K. Rammohan Naidu, Minister, Civil Aviation, at the press conference. “Our needs have doubled in the last decade. At this rate of demand, we will need at least 750 trainer aircraft. This is a good practical aircraft with a glass cockpit and improved instrumentation. We want to bring down the costs of training for a pilot and the time it takes.”

The HANSA-NG is powered by a Rotax Digital Control Engine with features such as a composite light weight airframe, a glass cockpit, a bubble canopy with a wide panoramic view, and electrically operated flaps, among other features, a promotional brochure says.

Currently the entire airframe of the plane can be manufactured in India and over time, CSIR-NAL and the private company hope to be able to manufacture the engine as well as avionics instrumentation, said Mr. Pashlikar.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The new Pamban Bridge was built to handle more traffic, ensure durability, and improve maritime navigation, boosting regional connectivity and growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu on April 6, marking the opening of India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.

Spanning the Palk Strait, the 2.07 kilometre bridge will facilitate smoother connectivity and is set to be unveiled on the occasion of Ram Navami.

It replaces the original Pamban Bridge, built in 1914, which was a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span connecting Rameswaram Island to mainland India.

Over time, the bridge became insufficient for growing transportation demands and was affected by the harsh marine environment. However, in 2019, the Centre sanctioned the construction of the new bridge, designed to meet modern transportation needs while preserving the cultural significance of the region.

The new Pamban Bridge is a technologically advanced structure designed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a public sector unit under the ministry of railways.

Key features of the bridge:

• The 72.5-meter navigational span can be raised up to 17 meters to allow larger ships to pass.
• The bridge is 3 meters higher than the existing one, improving sea connectivity.
• It is built with materials designed to ensure durability, including stainless steel reinforcement and high-grade protective paint.
• The bridge’s substructure is designed to accommodate two tracks, with the superstructure currently supporting a single line.

Necessity for the bridge:

• The original Pamban Bridge couldn’t accommodate increasing traffic and modern transportation needs.
• The new Pamban Bridge provides a more robust structure for heavier rail traffic and faster trains.
• The bridge will also ensure smooth maritime navigation while addressing the limitations of the old structure.
• Designed for two tracks, with the superstructure currently accommodating a single line.

Construction and techniques:

• The bridge was built using modern engineering methods and advanced materials like stainless steel.
• Corrosion-resistant coatings were applied to ensure durability in the marine environment.
• Due to site challenges, the lift span was launched using the Auto Launching Method and positioned with hydraulic jacking.
• The bridge used launching girders (51m front, 47m rear) with counterweights to precisely move the lift span across the piers.

Challenges and innovations:

• Environmental challenges included turbulent waters, cyclones, and seismic activity.
• Logistical difficulties were faced in transporting heavy materials to the remote site.
• Despite these obstacles, the project was completed safely, demonstrating the construction team’s ingenuity and resilience.
• The bridge is 72.5 meters long and can be raised by 17 meters to allow ship passage.

Infrastructure advancement:

• The new Pamban Bridge showcases India’s growing infrastructure capabilities.
• It joins globally recognized bridges like the Golden Gate, Tower, and Oresund bridges.
• The bridge highlights India’s engineering prowess in overcoming geographical and environmental challenges.
• Durable design ensures a lifespan of over 100 years.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

The study will be held in bird sanctuaries and wetlands across Sikkim, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, using the One Health approach to track the health of humans, migratory birds and their shared environment.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, India is set to begin an ambitious, inter-ministerial scientific study aimed at detecting zoonotic diseases that could spill over from birds to humans, focusing on the critical intersection of human, bird, and forest health.

This unique study will be conducted in select bird sanctuaries and wetlands across Sikkim, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, leveraging the One Health approach to monitor the health of both human populations and migratory bird species, as well as the environment in which they coexist.

The study, which was launched at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Headquarters, here on Friday, will help India prepare for future pandemics.

Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR and Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR), said, “Just as a strong radar system is essential for timely and precise action, robust surveillance systems are critical for early detection and containment of emerging health threats.”

“Scientific departments have a pivotal role in developing innovative tools and advancing research to strengthen these surveillance ‘radars’ which can be implemented in a programmatic manner,” he added.

The National One Health Mission (NOHM) exemplifies the government of India’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge science in real-world settings to anticipate and mitigate public health risks, he added.

“By embracing the One Health approach, we are shifting from reactive responses to proactive preparedness – an urgent global necessity,” the ICMR chief said.

Dr Ranjan Das, Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said that it is imperative to understand the mechanisms and drivers responsible for zoonotic spill overs, so that timely and coordinated actions can be taken.

He said the initiative aligns with the national strategy to detect, prevent, and respond to zoonotic threats. “Strengthening surveillance at the human-animal-environment interface will significantly enhance India’s preparedness for future outbreaks,” he added.

Dr Sangeeta Aggarwal, Scientist F, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government of India said, “This is a pioneering example of inter-ministerial cooperation on scientific surveillance, essential for resilient health systems. Such collaborations are key to ensuring that our science translates into actionable policy.”

Sunil Sharma, Assistant Inspector General of Forest, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said that the collaborative effort reinforces the government’s commitment to conserving biodiversity while protecting communities from emerging health risks.

“Wildlife and ecosystem health are deeply intertwined with human well-being, and this study rightly addresses that balance,” he said, adding that the ministry will provide continuous support for this and other initiatives of One Health.

According to the Union Health Ministry, with India being a vital hub along the Central Asian migratory bird flyway, bird sanctuaries represent an interface where the risk of zoonotic transmission is heightened.

Bird sanctuary workers, including rescue teams and veterinarians, are especially vulnerable due to their close proximity to wild and migratory birds.

The interconnectedness of forest ecosystems, avian populations, and local human communities makes this an urgent area for surveillance.

“The study aims to develop a real-time surveillance model to detect and diagnose zoonotic diseases in bird sanctuary workers and nearby residents. It will involve periodic sampling of birds and environmental specimens to screen for emerging pathogens, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools like Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for the early identification of novel infections,” the statement from the ministry said.

The research project, involving collaboration between multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Agriculture will establish India’s first early warning system for zoonotic spillovers, enhancing the country’s preparedness to respond to potential public health threats.

By integrating wildlife health, environmental science, and human health, the study represents a critical step toward safeguarding both public and environmental health in India.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)