** India’s first water taxi connecting Mumbai east coast with mainland sets sail

The long-awaited water taxi services linking Mumbai’s east coast with the mainland in Navi Mumbai and other locations — the first of its kind in India — was inaugurated on Thursday by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the presence of Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

While Thackeray inaugurated the new Belapur Jetty, Sonowal formally flagged off the water taxi services with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Ports Minister Aslam Shaikh, MoS Ports Abdul Sattar, Mumbai Port Trust Chairman Rajiv Jalota, Maharashtra Maritime Board CEO Amit Saini, Thane Collector Rajesh Narvekar, local elected representatives and other dignitaries.

Maharashtra

** Global Skill Park in Bhopal to be named after Sant Ravidas, announces MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Along with this, Sant Ravidas Swa-rozgar Yojana, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Aarthik Kalyan Yojana and Mukhyamantri Anusuchit Jati Vishesh Pariyojana Vitta Poshan Yojana will be started to provide employment to the youths. Sant Ravidas community buildings will be constructed in scheduled caste dominated areas of every district of the state.”

Madhya Pradesh

** Post of Maritime Security Advisor created, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar to don the role

As the NMSC Vice Admiral, Kumar will be entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating between the various ministries and agencies related to maritime matters.

** Nagarjuna adopts 1,080 acres of forest land near Hyderabad

Popular Tollywood actor Akkineni Nagarjuna and his family on Thursday adopted 1,080 acres of forest land on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Nagarjuna along with his family members and Rajya Sabha member J. Santosh Kumar laid foundation stone for Akkineni Nageswara Rao Urban Forest Park.

The Park will come up in Chengicherla forest area on the outskirts of Hyderabad in memory of Nagarjuna’s father and well-known actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Nagarjuna’s gesture came on the birthday of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Telangana

** Birding fair concept proving successful for avian conservation

Fairs lead to Jaipur lake’s restoration as a clean waterbody

Having started in 1997, the concept of annual birding fair adopted in Rajasthan for conservation of birds is proving successful with the 25th fair going to be organised this month-end on the banks of the historic Man Sagar lake in Jaipur. Wildlife enthusiasts and environmental activists in the State have joined hands for giving a lifetime experience to avid bird watchers.

Rajasthan

** DUK partners with British High Commission to aid tech start-ups

Commercialisation support, access to investment opportunities on offer

Digital University Kerala and electronic hardware incubator Maker Village that functions under the university have partnered with the British High Commission for a business acceleration programme for technology start-ups.

According to an official release, the programme, UK India Tech Startup, also involves collaboration with Cambridge Cleantech, a UK-based network of organisations that support the growth of sustainable and clean technology companies, and UK-based business consultant Triple Chasm.

Kerala

** Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat bags Swaraj Trophy

For efforts in Plan fund use, excellence in project planning

The Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat has won the Swaraj Trophy for the best district panchayat in the State for the fourth consecutive time.

The local body has bagged the trophy for its efforts in Plan fund utilisation, excellence in project planning and implementation of public welfare schemes, according to district panchayat president D. Suresh Kumar.

Kerala