| Jan 01, 1970 | Daily Report |
| RISING BHARAT | News Count (102171) | |
1251. Bengal’s ‘Jhansi Rani’: Indian Railways Broke Tradition To Honour this Freedom Fighter
- In 1958, Indian Railways named Belanagar railway station in Howrah, West Bengal after Bela Mitra, revisiting her story on August 2, 2021. She became the first woman in India to have a railway station named in her honour.
- Bela Mitra (1920–1952), niece of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, was a brave freedom fighter and member of the Indian National Army’s Jhansi Rani Brigade, earning her the title “Jhansi Rani of Bengal.”
- The station’s naming honours her courage, patriotism, and pioneering role as a woman in India’s independence movement, serving as a lasting tribute to her legacy.
1252. Apple begins exporting iPhone 11 and SE models from India
- On July 24, 2020, it was reported that the first-time export of premium iPhones made in India; iPhone 11 becomes the first high-end model assembled and exported from India.
- In July 2020, Apple began assembling the iPhone 11 at Foxconn’s Chennai plant, marking the first instance of a premium iPhone being manufactured in India.
- Around the same time, the iPhone SE (2020) was assembled by Wistron in Bengaluru. Later that year, Apple started exporting these India-made models to markets in Europe and the Middle East.
- These milestones aligned with the Government of India’s Make in India and Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) initiatives, aimed at reducing import dependence and boosting local production.
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1253. DRDO Pune develops signal star naval flare for Kalvari-class submarines
- On 30 August, 2025 in Pune, DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) formally handed over its indigenously developed ‘signal star naval flare’ to the director general – naval armament inspection (DG-NAI). The flare is specifically designed for Kalvari-class submarines of the Indian Navy, addressing their unique operational requirements during surface communication and tactical missions.
- The naval flare, launched from submarine signal ejectors, travels underwater and activates upon surfacing through a hydrostatic mechanism. Once at the surface, it ignites a bright pyrotechnic charge, producing high-intensity red or green star signals.
- Indigenisation of this flare eliminates dependence on foreign suppliers, enhancing India’s defence self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat. Built with pressure-resistant casing, advanced pyrotechnic formulation, and long shelf-life durability, the flare ensures reliability in adverse marine conditions.
1254. For the first time ever, Mizoram gets railway connectivity via Bairabi–Sairang route
- Mizoram has officially joined India’s railway map for the first time in history, with the inauguration of the 51.38-kilometre Bairabi–Sairang rail line in June 2025.
- The development, beyond marking a logistical milestone, could redefine the tourism landscape of the Northeast, opening up one of India’s least explored regions to the wider world.
- For decades, Mizoram remained cut off from the rest of India’s rail network, accessible only by long road journeys or limited flights. With the new rail line now in operation, the state capital Aizawl sits just 20 km from the rail terminal in Sairang, bringing unprecedented access to the region’s scenic and cultural offerings.
- Indian Railways has confirmed plans to deploy Vistadome coaches on the route, designed with glass roofs and wide windows to maximize the panoramic experience.
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1255. India launched the PLI scheme to boost exports and manufacturing
- On July 22, 2025, it was reported that PLI attracted ₹1.76 lakh crore in investments, generated ₹5.31 lakh crore in exports, created 12 lakh jobs, and disbursed ₹21,534 crore in incentives across 14 sectors.
- The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched in March 2020, was designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing and accelerate export growth in 14 strategic sectors.
- By mid-2025, the scheme has significantly boosted production in mobile phones, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.
- Mobile phone exports alone have increased nearly eightfold. Overall, the scheme has attracted investments of ₹1.76 lakh crore, generated ₹5.31 lakh crore in exports, created 12 lakh jobs, and disbursed ₹21,534 crore in incentives.
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1256. Indian Railways renames iconic Howrah-Kalka Mail as 'Netaji Express'
- On January 20, 2021, Indian Railways renamed the historic Howrah-Kalka Mail as ‘Netaji Express’, honoring freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
- First introduced in 1866, the train has been in service for over 150 years and is believed to have been used by Netaji during his escape from British surveillance via Gomoh, Jharkhand.
- The renaming is a tribute to Netaji’s courage and contribution to India’s freedom struggle, turning the legendary train into a symbol of patriotism and history.
1257. ISRO Launches Platform to Support Student Innovation in Space Technology
- On 30 August,2025 It was reported that an event held in Chennai, Senior Scientist G Sathish Kumar of ISRO announced the launch of a dedicated platform for students to contribute innovative technologies in India’s space sector. Students from 22 states participated, making it a nationwide initiative reported by News On AIR, the official portal of All India Radio.
- The platform aims to empower young innovators to design, test, and scale space technologies with ISRO’s mentorship. Inspirational figures like ex-Wing Commander Jaya Tare and analogue astronaut Aastha Jhalam encouraged students to pursue space careers, while Indo-French collaboration was highlighted by Hugues Boiteau, strengthening global cooperation in India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.
- The initiative adds momentum to India’s policy of opening the space sector to private players and students, complementing efforts like IN-SPACe and student satellite missions. By creating a structured channel for youth participation, ISRO not only boosts innovation but also nurtures the next generation of space scientists crucial for India’s long-term ambitions.
1258. Do You Know? Two Indian Railway Stations Named After Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
- On June 16, 2023, the Maharashtra government renamed Itwari Railway Station in Nagpur to include Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s name, honoring his role in India’s freedom struggle.
- Netaji, who led the Azad Hind Fauj against British colonial rule, is remembered for his courage and leadership, making the station a symbolic landmark of patriotism.
- The renaming aims to inspire travelers and preserve Netaji’s legacy, turning the busy Nagpur station into a tribute to his sacrifice for future generations.
1259. Bizari Village in Arunachal Pradesh Gets Electricity After 24 Years
- The people of Bizari village in Dambuk subdivision of Lower Dibang Valley district had a reason to smile on the eve of Republic Day as Art & Culture Parliamentary Secretary switched on the power line to the village, illuminating the area after 24 years.
- With 61 houses (according to the 2011 census), Bizari is located at a distance of around 37 km from Dambuk subdivision, and 42 km from district headquarters Roing. The village had been without electricity for two decades after the mini hydel in Dambuk stopped functioning due to various reasons.
- Bizari was once a bustling village with a plywood mill, a bank and rows of organic vegetable gardens. The village faces nature’s fury every year in the form of floods. Electricity was one of the essential amenities that the villagers needed for decades.
- It is the first time that the village has been electrified, and everybody is happy. It was good to see the faces of the villagers greeting the light for the first time after so long.
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1260. Special Rail Coach Dedicated To Mahatma Gandhi Unveiled At Rajghat
- A special railway coach honoring Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled on September 11, 2024, at Gandhi Darshan near Rajghat, New Delhi, showcasing his historic third-class train journeys during the freedom struggle
- Indian Railways contributed the brown-painted coach marked ‘III,’ accompanied by a life-size statue of Gandhi stepping out, creating a powerful visual tribute to his humble travels
- The exhibit reminds visitors of Gandhi’s enduring message of truth, non-violence, and unity, making it a symbol of India’s freedom movement and moral values.