NATIONAL NEWS

Omar Abdullah Launches E-SEHAT App For Healthcare In Jammu and Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, launched the e-SEHAT App to provide a comprehensive digital solution for the healthcare needs of the people of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir Health Department has developed the e-SEHAT app.

The app will cater to the healthcare needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and healthcare providers, such as doctors and paramedics.

Through the app, patients and their attendants can access healthcare facilities and services across public and private sector hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir.

It provides detailed information about healthcare institutions, including doctors' availability, appointment booking options, diagnostic and surgical services, teleconsultation, telemedicine, and emergency care.

The app also includes helpline services for hospital assistance, ambulance information, and feedback mechanisms.

The app also provides comprehensive details on health insurance schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya (AB-PMJAY), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme(ECHS).

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Launches AIKosha

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched AIKosha, a secured platform providing a repository of datasets, models, and use cases to support AI innovation.

AIKosha also features AI sandbox capabilities, an integrated development environment, and includes tools and tutorials to aid AI developers.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of MeitY, unveiled the India AI Compute Portal alongside AIKosha and other AI-driven initiatives, celebrating the IndiaAI Mission anniversary.

The India AI Compute Portal aims to provide accessible and affordable AI compute, network, storage, platform, and cloud services for developers and researchers in India.

The AI Competency Framework was released to help public sector officials develop AI skills, competency mapping, and upskilling

The iGOT-AI system was also launched, offering an AI-powered personalized content recommendation system to improve learning for government officials on the iGOT Karmayogi platform.

A new initiative, the IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program, was launched in collaboration with Station F and HEC Paris.

The program will provide 10 selected Indian AI startups with an immersive four-month acceleration program in Paris, helping them scale globally.

Rangachara Becomes Tripura’s First Solar Village

Rangachara village, located in South Tripura district, is set to become Tripura’s first fully solar-powered village.

The village has faced challenges with erratic electricity supply and limited infrastructure, making these projects a major step forward for its residents.

The Tripura government, in collaboration with the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) and other central agencies, is working to provide uninterrupted power to all villagers through decentralized solar technology.

The project is being implemented under the solar village scheme and is supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

In the absence of solar power, villagers will rely on traditional grid power provided by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation.

 

BANKING

Bank of Maharashtra Install India’s first ATM on a Train

The public sector bank, Bank of Maharashtra, has become the first bank to install an automated teller machine (ATM) on a train in india.

The ATM was installed on the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express.

This is the first time an ATM has been installed on an Indian Railway train.

According to the India Railway, installing a Bank of Maharashtra ATM on board the Panchvati Express was a pilot project for passenger convenience.

The introduction of the ATM is part of the Indian Railway’s Innovative and Non-Revenue Ideas Scheme.

The Panchavati Express is an intercity train that connects Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Manmad in Nashik district. The train is managed by the Central Zone of the Indian Railway and covers the distance in four and a half hours.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

World’s Best Hospitals 2024 Report

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has been named the best hospital in India and ranked 97th in the world in the World’s Best Hospitals 2024 report.

The World's Best Hospitals 2024 report was released by the American Media company Newsweek in partnership with global data platform Statista.

The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, United States, with a score of 97.51%, was named the Best hospital in the world.

The World’s Best Hospitals 2024 is released annually by Newsweek in partnership with global data platform Statista, starting in 2019.

In the 2024 report, over 2,400 hospitals across 30 countries have been ranked.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

CISO and Head of Data Protection Office of Union Bank of India

Union Bank of India has appointed Anil Kuril as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Head of the Data Protection Office, effective 15 April 2025.

The appointment highlights the bank’s focus on cybersecurity and compliance with India’s data privacy regulations in a digitising financial ecosystem.

Anil Kuril has nearly 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, with expertise in cloud computing, AI-based security, and digital transformation.

Before this role, Kuril served as Chief General Manager (IT, Digital, and Analytics) at Union Bank.

He has also held past roles as Chief Technology Officer and General Manager, where he led hybrid workplace solutions and secure banking infrastructure projects.

In his dual role, Kuril will oversee cybersecurity strategy, data protection frameworks, and compliance with RBI guidelines and India’s upcoming data privacy law.

His leadership will support the bank’s goal to secure cloud-based banking and protect against increasing cyber threats.

Kuril will work to integrate technologies such as blockchain and AI to boost fraud detection and cross-border data governance.

Union Bank is accelerating its digital banking services, with emphasis on customer data security and regulatory compliance.

Chairperson of the Athletes Commission of Indian Weightlifting Federation

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, India’s celebrated Olympic silver medallist, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Athletes Commission of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF).

This significant appointment brings competitive experience and a strong advocacy role for athlete welfare and representation in sports administration.

Chanu is committed to amplifying the voices of weightlifters, ensuring their well-being, and supporting their focus on achieving sporting excellence.

 

SPORTS

Saurabh Chaudhary Clinches Bronze in ISSF World Cup 2025

Saurabh Chaudhary, a 22-year-old shooter from Uttar Pradesh, made a remarkable comeback to the Indian shooting team by winning a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Lima, Peru.

Competing in a star-studded final with Olympic champions, Chaudhary demonstrated his resilience in a low-scoring, tightly contested match.

This was his first individual World Cup medal in over two years, marking a strong return to international form.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Hemophilia Day

World Hemophilia Day is celebrated on April 17th every year.

This day is recognized worldwide to increase awareness of hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.

World Hemophilia Day was first started in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia which chose 17th April as the day to bring the community together in honor of World Federation of Hemophilia founder Frank Schnabel's birthday.

The importance of educating hemophilia patients and the general public about bleeding disorders.

The day will also emphasize the importance of proper hemophilia care and treatment.

This will be achieved through media events, awareness campaigns, and a host of activities held around the world.

The theme for World Hemophilia Day 2025 is "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too".

World Obesity Day

World Obesity Day is observed annually on 4th March to raise awareness about the global obesity crisis and promote real-world solutions to combat obesity.

The theme for World Obesity Day 2025 is "Changing Systems, Healthier Lives".

Since 2020, World Obesity Day has been observed worldwide to counter obesity and promote awareness of the associated health risks.

Obesity is becoming a global norm, and 270 crore adults worldwide are expected to be obese or overweight by 2025.