India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry is in - Kochi 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated India’s inaugural hydrogen fuel cell ferry, a product of indigenous development and construction built by Cochin Shipyard. Participating from Thoothukudi. 

Built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the catamaran ferry has a capacity of 50 passengers, and is fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell, two 25-kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LiFEPO4) batteries, and 3-KWh solar panels. The ferry, with a speed of 6.5 knots, will serve the city of Varansi later this year. 

 Hailing the vessel’s arrival, India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways highlighted the country’s Harit Nauka Guidelines for inland waterways vessels in a social media post. The guidelines outline India’s desire to adopt green vessels and establish a green ecosystem, and “embrace low/zero-emissions sources of fuel and attain 100% green vessels in Indian waters by 2047.” Overall, India is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070. 

First Indian Citizen to be Conferred an Honorary Knighthood by Britain's King - Sunil Bharti Mittal 

Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal has become the first Indian citizen to receive an Honorary Knighthood from United Kingdom's King Charles III. An honorary Knighthood is one of the highest honours granted by the British Sovereign to civilians, conferred upon foreign nationals in recognition of their exceptional contributions. 

 Sunil Bharti Mittal is the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s foremost first-generation corporations with interests in Telecom, Space Communications, Digital Solutions, Real Estate and Hospitality. Bharti has joint ventures with several global partners like SingTel, SoftBank, Del Monte, the UK and French Government, amongst others. 

The award grants Mr. Mittal the title of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, recognising his contributions to fostering stronger business ties between India and the UK. 

New Lokpal of India – A M Khanwilkar 

Former Supreme Court judge, Justice AM Khanwilkar has been appointed as the as chairman of Lokpal. 

Justice Khanwilkar retired from apex court in July 2022, and was elevated as Judge of Supreme Court of India and assumed charge on May 13, 2016. 

The Rashtrapati Bhavan has also announced the appointment of former high court judges Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav and Ritu Raj Awasthi as judicial members of the Lokpal. 

 Non-judicial members Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey were also appointed. 

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 was passed by the Parliament on - 17th December 2013.  

The Bill received the President's assent on - 1st January 2014  

 The Act came into force on - 16th January, 2014