 "FirstUp: Modi in Assam, US govt funding expires... Big news today")
It’s a very auspicious day for India.
Maha Shivratri, the great night of fasting and devotion for followers of Lord Shiva, is almost approaching.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Assam and participate in a series of scheduled events. Four IAF units will be honoured with the President’s Standard and Colours.
On the global front, funding for the US government expires today.
Here’s how the day will unfold.
PM Modi in Assam for two days
Prime Minister Modi will be reaching Assam this evening and will stay at Kaziranga National Park during his two-day visit to Assam.
He is scheduled to embark on a safari within the park tomorrow before he departs for Jorhat to participate in a series of scheduled events.
Tomorrow, he will unveil a bronze statue of the legendary Ahom general, Lachit Barphukan, and later address a public meeting at Meleng Meteli Pothar in Jorhat.
4 IAF units to get ‘President’s Standard and Colours’
The four IAF units, including two fighter squadrons, a signal unit, and a base repair depot, all of which have been crucial in India’s war-fighting efforts over the years, will be receiving the President’s Standard and Colours.
President Droupadi Murmu, who is also the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces, will award the honours at the Hindon air base, on the outskirts of Delhi today.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWestern Air Command chief Air Marshal PM Sinha earlier said, “This will be the first time in the history of IAF that four units will be awarded President’s Standard and Colours together. It’s the highest military honour for any unit of the Indian armed forces.”
Last date for ministries and departments to surrender ‘savings’
The Union Finance Ministry has asked departments and ministries to surrender savings or funds that were allocated by the Budget for the current financial year 2023-24, but have not been spent.
Today is the last date for accepting the surrender of savings anticipated in the grants for the current fiscal year, according to the Department of Economic Affairs.
ISL 2024 - Jamshedpur FC Vs Mumbai City FC
For all the football fans, the ISL season is on and today Jamshedpur FC will take on Mumbai City FC.
The match will be played at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Football Stadium in Jamshedpur.
The last time the two teams faced off against each other, Jamshedpur FC came out on top, winning 3-2. Will it be the same again?
Funding for the US government expires
The temporary funding for several Washington agencies, including the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, expires Friday.
Without funding thousands of government employees could be furloughed and federal government officers and services temporarily shuttered or unavailable.
Earlier, President Joe Biden warned that a government shutdown would damage the economy “significantly.” “We need a bipartisan solution,” he told the lawmakers.
“It’s Congress’ responsibility to fund the government,” he said.
Government officials, exporters to discuss Red Sea crisis
Senior officials from different ministries and exporters are expected to hold discussions on Friday on issues being faced by exporters due to the Red Sea crisis, an official said. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal will chair the meeting.
The official said this would be the third meeting on the issue.
Since November, Yemen-based Houthi rebels have targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over the Israel-Hamas war. Because of this, the shipping costs have jumped and consignments are taking more time to reach Europe and the US as the ships are taking the Cape of Good Hope route, encircling Africa. Longer routes are resulting in delays of about 14-20 days and also higher freight and insurance costs.
Amit Shah to launch National Cooperative Database
Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the National Cooperative Database today.
It is an online digital dashboard intended to function as a repository of cooperative societies, including national and state federations.
According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the database, which contains information on about eight lakh cooperatives with a total membership exceeding 29 crores, will function as a crucial tool for facilitating efficient communication among the central ministry, states and Union Territories, and cooperative societies.
Maha Shivaratri in India
One of the most important Hindu festivals, Maha Shivaratri, is celebrated today with great enthusiasm across the country.
Today, devotees will observe a day-long fast, meditate, visit Lord Shiva temples, recite mantras and prayers and perform rituals associated with his worship.
A day to remember
International Women’s Day
Birth anniversary of poet Sahir Ludhianvi
Birth anniversary of politician Vasundhara Raje
Birth anniversary of former CM of Goa, Digambar Kamat
10th anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 with 239 people on board
Today in history
The first in the revolutions of the Russian Revolution of 1917 deposed its Tsar
Guru Har Rai became the seventh guru of the Sikhs in 1644
The New York Stock Exchange was founded in 1817
Charles de Gaulle Airport opens in Paris, France, in 1974
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
