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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.

Indusfood 2025, held from January 8 to 10 at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida, is Asia’s premier Food and Beverage Trade Show. Organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), this event featured 1,800 exhibitors from 30 countries.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan inaugurated the event, highlighting the importance of the processed food industry for India’s economic growth.

Key events included the Indusfood Innovation Awards, the Sustainable Food Manufacturing Summit, the Global Food Security Conclave, and the World Chefs – Asia President’s Forum.

The show aimed to foster international market linkages, promote cross-border partnerships, and support India’s vision of becoming a developed nation.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was celebrated from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This flagship event, organized by the Government of India, recognizes the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the nation’s development. The theme for this year was “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event on January 9, 2025, and launched the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora. The event saw participation from over 6,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs) from 75 countries, including business leaders, academics, and professionals.

The Indian Railways has completed the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project.

Location: The bridge is situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, connecting Katra and Reasi.

Key Features:

Length: 725.5 meters,
Height: 331 meters above the riverbed, with the main pylon rising 193 meters from its foundation.
Design: Asymmetrical with 96 cables ranging from 82 to 295 meters in length.
Divided into four sections, including a 473.25-meter cable-stayed span and a 120-meter viaduct.

Capabilities:

Designed to handle wind speeds up to 213 km/h and train speeds of 100 km/h.
Includes a single railway line, a 3.75-meter-wide service road, and 1.5-meter-wide footpaths on both sides.

Construction Techniques:

Used advanced equipment like the DOKA jump form shuttering system and a 40-tonne tower crane from Spain, reducing construction time by 30%.
Combines Indian codes with Eurocodes and was proof-checked by international firms COWI (UK) and ITALFERR (Italy).
Monitoring System: Integrated with sensors to monitor the bridge’s structural health throughout its service life.

Impact:

Enhances connectivity between Katra and the Kashmir Valley.
Expected to boost tourism and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.

The eighth Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 22 (Yard 132), was inducted in Indian Navy on 06 Jan 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The Chief Guest was Cmde Vinay Venkataram, Officer-in-Charge, Fleet Maintenance Unit (Mumbai).

The contract for 11 ACTCM Barges was awarded to M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., Thane, on 05 Mar 2021. Seven barges have been delivered so far. The shipyard has also received a contract to build four Sullage Barges for the Indian Navy, showcasing the Navy’s support for MSMEs.

The barges were designed indigenously in collaboration with an Indian Ship Designing firm and tested at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam. The induction of these barges will enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities by facilitating the transport and handling of ammunition and articles.

The 15th edition of Aero India 2025, Asia’s largest aero show, will be held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, from 10th to 14th February 2025. Themed “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”, the event aims to foster partnerships between Indian and foreign firms, accelerate indigenisation, and showcase advanced aerospace technologies.

Schedule:

• 10th-12th February: Business days.
• 13th-14th February: Public days featuring air displays and exhibitions.

Key Highlights:

• Participation from global CEOs, domestic PSU CMDs, and private defence manufacturers.
• India Pavilion: Showcasing the Make-in-India initiative and indigenous defence capabilities.
• Aerobatic displays, live demonstrations, and bilateral meetings to strengthen defence ties.

Previous Edition Achievements:

• Attracted 7 lakh visitors, dignitaries from 98 countries, and 809 exhibitors.
• Recognised globally as a leading aerospace exhibition since its inception in 1996.

The Bharatpol portal is a new initiative developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India. It was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 7, 2025. The portal aims to streamline international cooperation in criminal investigations by enabling real-time information sharing among Indian law enforcement agencies and their international counterparts through Interpol.

Key features of the Bharatpol portal

Real-time information sharing: Facilitates faster access to international police assistance.
Streamlined requests: Simplifies the process of requesting international assistance, including the issuance of Red Notices and other color-coded notices.
Enhanced efficiency: Helps field-level police officers deal with crimes and security challenges more effectively.
Common platform: Brings all stakeholders on a single platform for better coordination.

The development of Bharatpol was necessitated by the growing footprint of transnational crimes, such as cyber-crime, financial crimes, online radicalization, organized crimes, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The portal is expected to significantly enhance India’s efforts in combating these crimes by providing easier and faster access to international assistance.

Launch Date and Location: India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster announced on January 6, 2025, in the Soreng district of Sikkim. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the launch at the Northeastern Region States Meet 2025 in Guwahati.

Initiative: Part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aiming for sustainable and eco-friendly aquaculture.

Organic Focus: Utilizes ecologically healthy fish farming methods, avoiding harmful chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides.

Economic and Environmental Benefits: Expected to boost farmer incomes, support eco-friendly food production, and minimize environmental pollution.

Market Potential: Targets lucrative domestic and international markets for organic products.

Financial Support: NABARD will provide financial and technical assistance, supporting fisheries-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and fishers’ cooperatives.

India’s metro systems have revolutionized urban travel, expanding to cover over 1,000 km across 11 states and 23 cities, making India the third-largest metro network globally after China and the United States. This milestone was achieved with the launch of several metro development projects by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 5, 2025.

Key Projects Launched:

Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor: 13 km section enhancing connectivity between Delhi and Meerut.
Rithala-Kundli Section: 26.5 km section strengthening links between Delhi and Haryana.

These projects are expected to serve over 1 crore daily passengers, reflecting the significant impact of metro expansion on urban mobility.

Historical Development:

1984: Metro development in India began with Kolkata’s first metro line.
1995: Establishment of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
2002: DMRC opened its first metro corridor.
2011-2020: Development of metro systems in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi.

Recent Advancements:

Under-Water Metro: Inaugurated by PM Modi in 2024, featuring the first under-water metro tunnel in Kolkata.
Driverless Metro: Launched in 2020 on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line.
Kochi Water Metro: Launched in 2021, connecting islands around Kochi using electric hybrid boats.