Category: News

New Delhi, Apr 28 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the new Ayodhya–Mumbai Amrit Bharat Express, a major step toward strengthening rail connectivity between Northern and Western India. The new service will directly link the religious city of Ayodhya with the financial capital Mumbai.

The launch is being seen as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to modernise Indian Railways and provide affordable, faster, and comfortable travel options for passengers. The Amrit Bharat Express has been designed primarily for common travellers, with a focus on improved efficiency and upgraded facilities.

Officials said the train will feature modern coaches with better suspension systems for smoother journeys, improved seating arrangements, enhanced lighting, and upgraded passenger amenities. It will also use push-pull technology, enabling quicker acceleration and reduced travel time.

The direct Ayodhya–Mumbai route is expected to benefit multiple sectors, particularly religious tourism, by providing better access for pilgrims visiting the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. It is also likely to improve business travel and trade movement between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra while offering a reliable travel option for migrant workers and tourists.

Railway authorities said the introduction of the Amrit Bharat Express reflects the Centre’s commitment to making modern rail travel accessible to every citizen and building a more integrated national transport network.

The flagging-off ceremony is expected to underline the government’s continued push for infrastructure expansion and stronger cultural as well as economic ties through world-class public transport services.

New Delhi, Apr 28 (BNP): India’s industrial production grew by 4.1% in March compared to the same month last year, supported mainly by strong performance in manufacturing and mining, according to official data released by the Ministry of Statistics.

The manufacturing sector, which forms the largest share of industrial output, expanded by 4.3%, with key contributions from basic metals, motor vehicles, and machinery and equipment. Mining activity also recorded a 5.5% growth, supporting overall industrial performance.

However, electricity generation saw only marginal growth of 0.5%, slightly moderating the overall index.

On the use-based side, capital goods output surged 14.6%, indicating higher investment activity in industrial capacity. Consumer durables rose 5.3%, while infrastructure and construction goods increased by 6.7%, driven by steady demand and ongoing public infrastructure projects.

Overall, the data indicates continued resilience in India’s core industrial sectors, supported by manufacturing strength and rising investment-led activity.

Washington, Apr 28 (BNP): US President Donald Trump on Monday convened a meeting of his national security team to review Iran’s latest proposal concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies are transported.

According to reports citing US officials, the Trump administration expressed dissatisfaction with Tehran’s proposal, saying it failed to address key concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly uranium enrichment and commitments against pursuing nuclear weapons.

Officials indicated that while the proposal was not rejected outright, the White House believes Iran has not fully met Washington’s core security conditions. The administration is now expected to prepare a counterproposal in the coming days.

White House representatives reiterated that the United States would not conduct negotiations through the media and said Washington’s red lines on regional security and nuclear issues remain clear. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also described Iran’s current offer as unacceptable.

Reports suggested Iran had proposed a phased understanding focused first on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reducing conflict, while postponing discussions on its nuclear programme to a later stage.

Meanwhile, economic pressure on Iran has reportedly intensified, with disruptions to oil exports leading to rising domestic crude inventories and difficulties in maritime shipments.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, and any agreement on its reopening would have major implications for global oil markets, trade flows, and regional stability.

New Delhi, Apr 28 (BNP): Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the proposed bullet train project in South India will be a major step in transforming regional rail connectivity and modernising India’s transport network.

He said the high-speed rail corridor reflects the government’s vision to extend next-generation railway infrastructure beyond western India and strengthen connectivity across key southern cities and economic centres.

The Minister noted that the project is expected to significantly cut travel time, improve passenger experience, and support faster movement between major urban and industrial hubs, thereby boosting economic activity in the region.

Officials indicated that planning and technical assessments are in progress, with focus on advanced rail technology, safety systems, and globally benchmarked infrastructure standards.

The initiative is part of India’s broader push to develop high-speed rail corridors aimed at improving mobility, enhancing regional integration, and supporting long-term economic growth.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 28 (BNP): The Government of Odisha has announced plans to establish Heatwave Relief Centres across the state to support citizens amid continuing severe heatwave conditions.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government is closely monitoring the situation and has intensified preparedness measures in coordination with district administrations.

He added that detailed discussions have been held with collectors of all 30 districts to strengthen heatwave response systems and ensure timely implementation of safety measures.

Public Advisory in Place

The state government has urged people to avoid outdoor activities between 11 am and 3 pm, when heat intensity is at its peak. Citizens have also been advised to minimise non-essential travel during these hours.

Workers and labourers have been instructed to avoid outdoor work during peak heat periods to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Healthcare and Public Support Measures

The government has directed departments concerned to set up drinking water kiosks in public areas to ensure easy access to safe drinking water.

Special arrangements for heatstroke treatment and emergency care have been made available at all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) across Odisha.

Phased Rollout of Relief Centres

Officials said Heatwave Relief Centres will first be established in the most heat-affected districts and later expanded across the state based on requirement.

These centres will provide temporary shelter, drinking water, and basic medical assistance to citizens affected by extreme temperatures.

The initiative aims to strengthen Odisha’s heatwave response framework and reduce health risks during the peak summer season.

Puri, Apr 28 (BNP): The centuries-old Chandan Yatra has commenced in Puri, ushering in one of the most spiritually significant summer festivals associated with Lord Jagannath. The celebration blends devotion, tradition, and seasonal symbolism, offering a unique expression of Odisha’s temple culture.

A Ritual of Divine Cooling and Devotion

As temperatures rise, the festival centres on the cooling ritual of sandalwood (chandan) application, symbolising relief and divine care for the deities. Idols from the Shree Jagannatha Temple are ceremonially taken out in processions and placed on decorated boats for a sacred water voyage at the Narendra Pushkarini lake.

The atmosphere during the festival is marked by devotional chants, traditional music, and large gatherings of devotees who witness the rituals with deep reverence.

Two Sacred Phases of the Yatra

Chandan Yatra unfolds in two structured phases, each carrying distinct ritual significance:

• Bahara Chandan Yatra (First 21 Days):
  In this outer phase, deities are brought out of the temple for ceremonial boat rides at Narendra Pushkarini. The lake transforms into a vibrant spiritual space where rituals and devotion merge in a festive setting.
• Bhitara Chandan Yatra (Next 21 Days):
  The inner phase continues within the temple premises, where priests conduct elaborate rituals with precision and devotion, maintaining the sanctity and continuity of tradition.

Deep Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Chandan Yatra is more than a seasonal observance—it reflects the intimate bond between devotees and Lord Jagannath. The use of sandalwood paste, symbolic water journeys, and structured temple rituals together represent purity, cooling comfort, and spiritual balance during the harsh summer months.

Closely linked with the broader Jagannath tradition, the festival is considered an important part of the annual temple calendar and a spiritual precursor to major celebrations like Rath Yatra. It draws pilgrims, devotees, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country.

A Living Expression of Heritage

With its rare combination of ritual, nature, and devotion, Chandan Yatra continues to preserve Odisha’s living temple heritage. The festival stands as a reminder of how ancient traditions adapt seamlessly into contemporary devotion, keeping cultural identity alive through generations.

New Delhi, Apr 28: Lava International Limited, India’s trusted homegrown smartphone brand, partnered with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to digitally empower 20,941 Anganwadi workers across the state, strengthening last-mile service delivery under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) framework.

The event, held at Lok Bhavan, Lucknow in March, 2026, under the theme “Suposhit Uttar Pradesh, Sashakt Bharat,” was attended by the Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath; Ms Baby Rani Maurya, Honourable Minister of Women’s Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Uttar Pradesh; Ms Leena Johri, Additional Chief Secretary (WCD); and Ms Sarneet Kaur Broca, Director (WCD). Approximately 1,000 Anganwadi workers were also in attendance.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Lloyd D’souza, Chief Business Officer – Enterprise Business, Lava International Limited said, “Digital transformation at the grassroots is not just about access to devices, but about building systems that work reliably at scale for those delivering essential services on a day-to-day basis. We are equally delighted and proud to collaborate with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to further their mission of enabling digital transformation through Anganwadi workers. This initiative is a testament of our ability to design and deliver technology solutions tailored for real-world public sector needs, combining hardware, software and on-ground understanding. We remain committed to supporting large-scale, inclusive digital adoption across Bharat.”

As part of the collaboration, Lava provided smartphones of its Storm Play series, purpose-built for field-level use. The devices were customized with Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities, a supervisor monitoring application, and state-specific interface integrations, enabling seamless alignment with ICDS and Women & Child Development (WCD) systems.

By placing digital tools directly in the hands of frontline workers, the initiative is enabling a shift from manual processes to real-time, data-driven service delivery. Anganwadi workers can now capture and update maternal and child health data in real time, manage attendance and daily task tracking digitally, monitor and record nutrition distribution for newborns and lactating mothers and feed data into centralized dashboards for faster decision-making.

This transition is enabling better monitoring across the system, reducing dependence on manual records while enabling faster reporting, easy identification of stock availability of food packets for newborns and lactating mothers, and early identification of potential health and nutrition risks.

The initiative supports the Uttar Pradesh government’s broader efforts to strengthen grassroots delivery of welfare programs, while also bridging the digital divide through scalable, technology-led interventions.

This partnership further strengthens Lava’s position as a trusted enabler of public sector digital transformation.

Rishikesh, Apr 28 (BNP): Film actor Suniel Shetty, who recently arrived in Rishikesh, praised the arrangements made for the Char Dham Yatra and appreciated the facilities created for pilgrims.

During his visit, the actor expressed satisfaction over the management, cleanliness, and improved infrastructure put in place for devotees undertaking the sacred pilgrimage. He described the overall experience in Rishikesh as memorable and spiritually uplifting.

Shetty also lauded the efforts of the administration and organisers for ensuring smooth travel, better amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere for the large number of pilgrims expected during the yatra season.

The Char Dham Yatra, one of the country’s most significant religious pilgrimages, draws lakhs of devotees annually to the holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

His remarks come as preparations for this year’s pilgrimage continue on a large scale.