Launch of 'AGRAY' AND 'AKSHAY'

• On 13^th March 2024, the 5th and 6th vessels of the ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project, named 'Agray' and 'Akshay', respectively, were launched at M/S GRSE in Kolkata.
• These ships are currently under construction by M/S Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata for the Indian Navy.
• The contract to construct eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on 29^th April 2019.
• The ASW SWC ships boast dimensions of 77.6 meters in length, 105 meters in width, a displacement of 900 tons, and an endurance of over 1800 NM.

NITI Aayog Launches ‘Vocal for Local'

• In a bid to empower local economies and nurture grassroots entrepreneurship, NITI Aayog inaugurated the 'Vocal for Local' initiative as part of its Aspirational Blocks Programme on March 13^th, 2024.
• The event was graced by the presence of Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, alongside dignitaries from various states and blocks.
• This initiative is designed to instill a sense of self-reliance within the communities residing in Aspirational Blocks, driving them towards sustainable development and prosperity.
• During the ceremony, the 'Aakanksha' logo was also revealed as a component of the 'Vocal for Local' initiative by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog.

PM Launches PM-SURAJ Portal

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the national portal 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan' (PM-SURAJ).
• This portal symbolises the government's dedication to providing credit support and empowering one lakh entrepreneurs from marginalized communities.

World Kidney Day 2024

• World Kidney Day is a yearly international health awareness initiative dedicated to highlighting the significance of kidney health and addressing the growing challenge of kidney diseases worldwide.
• It falls on the second Thursday of March each year, in 2024 this is scheduled on 14^th March.
• The 2024 World Kidney Day campaign theme is Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice.

High Level Committee Submits its Report on One Nation, One Election

• The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, chaired by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, convened and presented its Report to the Honourable President of India, Shrimati Droupadi Murmu.
• The comprehensive Report, spanning 18,626 pages, is the culmination of thorough consultations with stakeholders, experts, and 191 days of research since its establishment on 2nd September 2023.

Cabinet Approves Signing of an Agreement Between India and Bhutan

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has granted approval for the signing of an Agreement between the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) of the Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• This accord, to be inked between the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, aims to facilitate trade between the two neighboring nations.
• BFDA will issue a Health Certificate, attesting to compliance with the requirements stipulated by FSSAI, when exporting products to India.
• This measure will enhance the Ease of Doing Business and reduce compliance costs for both parties involved.