National news :
- State-owned National Highways Authority of India’s ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ norm, which aims to discourage the use of single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle, has come into force from april 1.
- NHAI had extended the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative compliance deadline to March-end, in view of the problems being faced by Paytm FASTag users.
- To enhance the efficiency of the electronic toll collection system and provide seamless movement at toll plazas, the NHAI has taken the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative that aims to discourage the use of single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
The National Highways Authority of India or NHAI is an autonomous agency of the Government of India, set up in 1995
- Chairman- Santosh Kumar Yadav
Appointment NEWS:
- Senior Information Service Officer Sheyphali B Sharan today took over the charge of Principal Director General of Press Information Bureau.
- A 1990 batch IIS officer, Ms Sharan assumed the charge following the superannuation of Manish Desai. Earlier, Ms Sharan had served in the Election Commission and the Finance Ministry.
Press Information Bureau:
- Headquarters : New Delhi
- Chairman : Manish Desai
Tata International appoints Rajeev Singhal as MD:
- Tata International, the global trading and distribution arm of the Tata group, has appointed Rajeev Singhal as its Managing Director.
- Singhal succeeds Anand Sen who superannuated on March 31. Singhal was previously Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Tata International.
- Singhal brings more than 36 years of experience to his new role, having transitioned from Tata Steel where he held various positions including his most recent role as vice-president of marketing and sales for flat products.
Sports NEWS:
Italy’s Jannik Sinner Clinches Men’s Single Title Of Miami Open Tennis In US:
- In Tennis, Italy’s Jannik Sinner won the Men’s Singles title of Miami Open tournament in the United States.
- Second seed Sinner defeated 11th seed Bulgarian player Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-1 in the final. Sinner’s third title of the season means he will move to a career-high second in the ATP world rankings, ahead of Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
- Unseeded American player Danielle Collins has won the Women’s Singles title. In a major upset, Collins defeated fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
- Earlier, Indian Tennis star Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden clinched the historic Men’s doubles title.
- The duo defeated Croatia’s Ivan Dodic and American Austin Krajicek 6-7, 6-3, 10-6. The 44-year old Bopanna, became the oldest man to win an ATP Masters 1000 title and the second Indian to reach the finals of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events.
Key points:
- Men’s singles: Jannik Sinner (Italy)
- Men’s doubles: Rohan Bopanna (India)/Matthew Ebden (Australia)
- Women’s singles: Danielle Collins (USA)
- Women’s doubles: Sofia Kenin/Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)
In Spain Masters 2024 Badminton Tournament, Kean Yew Loh Of Singapore Wins The Men’s Title:
- In Spain Masters 2024 Badminton tournament, Kean Yew Loh of Singapore has won the Men’s title.
- In the finals, he defeated Toma Junior Popov of France in three games 21-11, 15, 21, 22-20.
In the Women’s Singles, Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand has lifted the crown. In the final, She defeated her compatriot Supanida Katethong 21-12, 21-9. - The 2024 Spain Masters badminton tournament that will take place at the Centro Deportivo Municipal Gallur, Madrid, Spain, from 26 to 31 March 2024.
Defence NEWS:
“Indian Defence Exports crossed Rs 21,000 crore mark for the first time”, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh:
- According to the statement posted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, India’s defence exports surged to a staggering Rs 21,083 crore in the financial year 2023-24, marking a remarkable growth rate of 32.5 per cent over the previous fiscal year.
- This phenomenal growth reflects the concerted efforts and strategic initiatives undertaken by the Defence Ministry, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to bolster India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and promote indigenous defence production.
- The Defence Ministry has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at catalysing India’s defence manufacturing sector.
HAL achieves record revenue of Rs 29,810 crore for FY 2023-24:
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a leading Defence PSU, has announced a significant milestone, recording its highest ever revenue from operations, exceeding Rs 29,810 crore for the financial year 2023-24.
- This remarkable achievement reflects a notable growth rate of 11%, a substantial improvement from the previous fiscal year’s 9%.
- Company’s performance underscores its resilience amidst challenges, particularly in the supply chain, attributable to geopolitical factors.
- In a TOI report, HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan, said, “Despite major supply chain challenges arising due to geopolitical issues, the company has met the expected revenue growth with improved performance throughout the year. As of March 31, 2024, our order book exceeds an impressive Rs 94,000 crore, with additional major orders expected during FY 2024-25.”
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited:
- Headquarters – Bengaluru
- CMD – CB Ananthakrishnan
IMPORTANT DAY:
Odisha Foundation Day 2024:
- Utkal Divas or Utakala Dibasha is celebrated on April 1 every year to remember the formation of the Odisha state after a struggle to be recognised as an independent state. Under the British rule, Odisha was part of the Bengal presidency, which consisted of the present-day Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha.
- The state celebrates the day with a restricted holiday. The day is also known as Odisha Foundation day and Vishuva Milan.
About Odisha:
- Capital – Bhubaneshwar
- Chief Minister – Naveen Patnaik
- Governor – Raghubar Das
