Author name: Ajay Gulia

On January 18, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 65 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme to beneficiaries across 50,000 villages in 10 states and 2 Union Territories, marking a significant milestone in rural empowerment and governance in India.

Objective: The scheme aimed to empower rural India by providing Record of Rights to property owners in village Abadi areas through drone technology for accurate surveying.

Benefits:

• Economic transformation of rural India.
• Monetization of property.
• Access to institutional credit (bank loans).
• Reduction in property disputes.
• Better property assessments and tax collection.

Drone Surveys: Completed in over 3.17 lakh villages, covering 92% of the targeted areas. Over 2.25 crore property cards had been prepared for more than 1.5 lakh villages.

Full Saturation: The scheme had reached full saturation in Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tripura, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.

The SVAMITVA scheme, launched in 2020, contributed to the economic development of rural areas by enabling better governance and access to resources.

President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, will be the Chief Guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations in 2025. Invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Subianto will visit India on January 25-26, marking his first visit since taking office in October 2024.

The visit will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional and global issues of mutual interest. India and Indonesia share close relations, with Indonesia playing a key role in India’s Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific strategy as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner.

Inauguration of Fast Track Immigration: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the ‘Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP)’ on 16 January 2025 at airports in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad.

Objective: The programme aims to provide seamless and secure world-class immigration facilities for international travellers.

Registration Process:

Applicants must register online on ftittp.mha.gov.in, fill in their details, and upload required documents. Biometric data will be captured at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or while passing through the airport.

E-Gate Process:

Registered travellers will scan their airline boarding pass and passport at e-gates. Biometrics will be authenticated at both arrival and departure points, and upon successful authentication, the e-gate will open, granting immigration clearance.

Expansion Plan: FTI-TTP will be implemented at 21 major airports across India.

Programme Launch: The programme was initially launched by Amit Shah in June 2024 at Terminal-3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sonamarg Tunnel in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on January 13, 2025.

Key attendees included Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Dr. Jitendra Singh, J&K Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, other senior officials, and Tunnel Project Officials.

The Sonamarg Tunnel significantly reduces travel time to 20-25 minutes between Gagangeer and Sonamarg.
The tunnel is equipped with cutting-edge technologies for real-time updates and seamless connectivity.
Work on the Tunnel project began in May 2015 and was completed last year.
The tunnel enhances year-round road accessibility in the Ladakh region.
It is expected to boost trade, tourism, and socio-economic development in regions including Kargil and Leh.
Provides all-weather connectivity and links towards the under-construction Zojila tunnel.

Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited handed over the sixth Scorpene submarine, Vaghsheer, of Project P-75 to the Indian Navy on January 10, 2025. This advanced submarine boasts superior stealth features and the capability to launch precise attacks with guided weapons, including torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whether submerged or on the surface. Vaghsheer is versatile, capable of performing various missions such as Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Intelligence Gathering, and Area Surveillance.

The submarine features a high level of automation with a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System and Combat Management System, integrating diverse equipment, systems, and sensors. It stands out from its predecessors with indigenously developed Air Conditioning and Internal Communication & Broadcast Systems.

Chairman and Managing Director Sanjeev Singhal highlighted that the delivery of the six submarines — Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir, and Vaghsheer — reaffirms India’s position in the exclusive group of submarine-building nations.

The Ministry of Defence announced that around 10,000 special guests will witness the 76th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, on January 26. These guests, known as the “architects of Swarnim Bharat,” are recognized for their contributions to various government schemes. They include sarpanches, disaster relief workers, water warriors, handloom and handicraft artisans, SHG members, and ASHA workers.

For the first time, individuals from disaster relief, environmental conservation, renewable energy, and wildlife preservation are being honored. Notable sports achievers, including Paralympic athletes, international sports medalists, patent holders, and top start-up founders, will also attend. Excelling school children from national competitions like the All India School Band and Veer Gatha will be present as special guests.

Besides the parade, these guests will visit key landmarks in Delhi such as the National War Memorial and PM Sangrahalay, and interact with government ministers.