India’s first greenfield integrated refinery at Pachpadra aims to boost energy security, industrial growth, and employment Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate a major refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Pachpadra, located in Rajasthan’s Balotra region, on April 21. The project, described as India’s first greenfield integrated refinery of its kind, marks a significant addition to the country’s energy and manufacturing infrastructure. The Prime Minister’s Office said the inauguration will take place around 11:30 am, followed by a public address. Key Project Highlights The Pachpadra refinery-cum-petrochemical complex has been developed as a joint…

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C. P. Radhakrishnan visited Sri Lanka’s hill district of Nuwara Eliya on Monday as part of his two-day official trip, where he inspected ongoing work under the India-funded Indian Housing Project. The visit included interactions with beneficiaries from the Indian-origin Tamil community. Key Highlights Official Statement During the visit, the Vice President expressed satisfaction with the progress of the housing initiative and highlighted India’s continued support for Tamils living in Sri Lanka. He said the project reflects the Government of India’s long-standing commitment to improving the living conditions of vulnerable communities abroad, particularly those…

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Punjab Kings all-rounder Cooper Connelly has underlined the importance of teamwork and continuous learning after his standout performance in the Indian Premier League 2026 season. Speaking after a recent match in New Delhi on April 20, Connelly reflected on his partnership with teammate Priyansh Arya and the team’s overall progress. Key Highlights In the match against Lucknow Super Giants, Connelly scored 87 runs off 46 balls, while Arya made 93 off 37 deliveries. The duo put together a 182-run partnership in just 80 balls, helping Punjab Kings post a total of 254 for 7. Punjab Kings later restricted Lucknow…

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Varun Chakravarthy described Kolkata Knight Riders’s recent victory over Rajasthan Royals in Indian Premier League 2026 as a significant and emotional moment, following a string of inconsistent performances earlier in the season. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement Speaking after the match, Chakravarthy said the team had been under pressure following recent defeats but managed to deliver a stronger performance. He noted that match conditions vary and can significantly impact outcomes, particularly for bowlers. While he picked up three wickets, he added that such results are not guaranteed in every game, especially when pitches offer limited…

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India’s benchmark equity indices, the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty, recovered in early trade on Friday after opening on a weak note, as buying activity helped markets move into positive territory by mid-morning. Key Announcements / Highlights Market Movement The Sensex opened slightly lower but fluctuated through the session before rising over 150 points to trade in positive territory. Similarly, the Nifty recovered from early losses to post modest gains. Both indices saw a range-bound movement during the initial hours, reflecting uncertainty among investors and a balance between buying and selling pressures. Sectoral…

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Gold prices in India moved higher on Friday, tracking gains in international markets, while silver prices recorded a slight decline. The mixed trend in the domestic bullion market reflects global price movements and cautious investor sentiment. Key Announcements / Highlights Market Overview According to market data, 24-carat gold prices ranged between ₹1,55,580 and ₹1,56,670 per 10 grams across major Indian cities. In Delhi, gold was priced at around ₹1,55,730 per 10 grams, while Chennai reported the highest levels. The 22-carat variant followed a similar trend, trading in the range of…

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Two Iranian women footballers, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, have received humanitarian visas from Australia, allowing them to remain in the country as they look to rebuild their professional careers following a period of uncertainty linked to regional tensions. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement In a joint statement, the players thanked the Australian government and officials, including Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, for providing what they described as a safe and supportive environment. They said the assistance had helped them focus on recovery and stability, adding that they hope to return to professional football…

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Former Union Minister Smriti Irani arrived in Varanasi on Friday to participate in a programme related to the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’, amid local outreach activities organised by party leaders and educational institutions. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement According to local organisers, Irani briefly interacted with party representatives after arriving at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport before proceeding to the event venue in Chowkaghat. Officials associated with the programme said the visit forms part of outreach efforts linked to the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’, which focuses on women’s representation and empowerment. Context / Background The…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar on his birth anniversary, marking the beginning of his centenary year and recalling his contributions to public life and democratic values. Key Highlights Official Statement In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister described Chandra Shekhar as a leader known for his courage, clarity of thought, and commitment to democratic ideals. He highlighted the former Prime Minister’s close connection with the public and his understanding of grassroots issues. Modi also recalled his personal interactions with Chandra Shekhar, noting that their…

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