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Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (BNP): Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi from Odisha’s Ganjam district has made history by becoming the first woman officer in India to be appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to a state Governor, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the Armed Forces.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/Defence_Squad_ 

Her appointment as ADC to the Governor of Mizoram reflects a breaking of long-standing barriers in military protocol roles, traditionally held by male officers, and highlights the growing inclusion of women in key leadership responsibilities within the defence services.

The historic moment gained further visibility when she participated in the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on January 3, 2025, symbolising her active role in high-level constitutional and ceremonial duties.

Selected from a Ministry of Defence shortlist, she took charge of the ADC position in Aizawl on November 29, 2023, after being chosen over other eligible officers, underscoring her professional capability and merit-based selection.

Hailing from Berhampur in Ganjam district, Squadron Leader Padhi comes from a defence-oriented family. Her father, a retired Honorary Flying Officer, played an important role in inspiring her journey towards the armed forces.

She completed her engineering education at C.V. Raman College of Engineering in Bhubaneswar before joining the Indian Air Force after clearing the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). Commissioned in December 2015 under the 46 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course, she specialised as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC), a role that demands precision, discipline, and quick decision-making.

Her journey from a small town in Odisha to a prestigious ceremonial and operational role in the Air Force stands as an example of growing opportunities for women in uniformed services and the evolving face of leadership in India’s armed forces.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (BNP): A high-level secretaries’ review meeting was held on Wednesday at Kharavel Bhavan, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, to assess departmental performance for March, review ongoing governance initiatives, and strengthen digital monitoring systems through the ‘Uplabdhi Portal’.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/_anugarg 

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, along with senior officials including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners, and departmental Secretaries. Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan joined virtually and presented a detailed update, while IAS probationers of the 2024 Odisha cadre batch participated as part of their administrative training exposure.

At the outset, the Chief Secretary reviewed key departmental achievements recorded in March and evaluated progress across sectors through performance-based indicators. She stressed the importance of real-time monitoring and data-driven governance using the ‘Uplabdhi Portal’ to improve accountability and efficiency in implementation.

She appreciated the Skill Development and Technical Education Department for Odisha’s strong performance in the India Skills 2025–26 competition and commended officials for the successful completion of the “Ganati-Manati” exercise related to the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

The meeting also reviewed the citizen outreach programme “Ame Janiba Ama Budget,” aimed at enhancing public awareness of budget provisions. It was decided to continue and further strengthen such initiatives. The Finance Department and Information & Public Relations Department were acknowledged for effectively taking budget-related information to the grassroots level.

Officials informed that participation on the i-GOT Karmayogi Bharat platform under the “Sadhana Saptaha” initiative has increased from 95 per cent to 98 per cent. The Chief Secretary appreciated the Gopabandhu Administrative Academy for its role in improving training participation across departments.

The Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture was also praised for the successful statewide observance of “Odia Pakhya,” along with other departments that contributed to its smooth execution.

The meeting concluded with directions to further strengthen digital governance, improve inter-departmental coordination, and enhance performance tracking through the Uplabdhi Portal to ensure more efficient service delivery across the state administration.

New Delhi, Apr 16 (BNP): The Government of India has stepped up efforts to expand access to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) as part of a broader strategy to promote cleaner energy usage and reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuels, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

Under the ongoing expansion programme, around 4.40 lakh PNG connections have been commissioned since March 2026. In addition, nearly 4.88 lakh new consumers have registered for PNG connections, reflecting strong and growing adoption across regions.

The rapid scale-up is being supported by a structured policy framework aimed at improving execution efficiency and accelerating infrastructure rollout under the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network.

A key enabler of this progress is the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026, which introduces time-bound guidelines for infrastructure development and streamlines implementation across authorised geographical areas.

Officials noted that the initiative is part of India’s long-term clean energy transition strategy, aimed at improving household access to cleaner fuel alternatives while strengthening the country’s energy distribution network.

The continued expansion of PNG infrastructure is expected to play a crucial role in reducing dependence on more polluting fuels and supporting India’s broader environmental and energy security goals.

Apr 15 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon people to adopt nine collective pledges focused on building a healthier, cleaner, and more developed India, while addressing a public gathering in Mandya, Karnataka.

He said the initiatives are aimed at supporting the vision of a “developed Karnataka and a developed India,” with emphasis on individual responsibility and community participation.

Among the key pledges, the Prime Minister highlighted water conservation and efficient water management as a top priority. He also urged people to actively participate in tree plantation under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

Modi further stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness in public and religious places, promoting local products through the “Vocal for Local” initiative, and encouraging domestic tourism.

He also called for the adoption of natural and chemical-free farming practices, increased consumption of nutritious millets, and reduced use of cooking oil to promote better health.

In addition, the Prime Minister encouraged citizens to embrace yoga, fitness, and community service as part of their daily lives.

The appeal, he said, is aimed at building a more responsible society that contributes actively to national development while protecting nature and improving public health.

Canberra, Apr 15 (BNP): Australia has announced that its Army will be led by a woman for the first time in its 125-year history, marking a historic milestone in the country’s military leadership. Susan Coyle, currently serving as Chief of Joint Capabilities, will take over as Chief of Army in July as part of a broader reshuffle of the defence force leadership.

She will succeed Simon Stuart, who has held the position since July 2022.

The landmark appointment underscores Australia’s efforts to enhance gender diversity and inclusivity within its armed forces. Lieutenant General Coyle brings extensive operational and strategic experience and is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the Australian Army.

Officials said further details regarding the transition and leadership changes will be announced in due course.

Apr 15 (BNP): The implementation of India’s new labour codes is expected to change how employee salaries are structured, with possible impacts on take-home pay and tax liability.

Under the revised rules, basic pay, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance must together form at least 50% of an employee’s total cost to company (CTC). This is expected to reduce the share of tax-free allowances in salary packages.

Earlier, companies often structured salaries with higher allowances such as HRA, LTA, and reimbursements to optimise tax benefits. Experts say the new framework will limit this flexibility and increase the taxable portion of income.

While benefits like HRA and LTA exemptions will continue under existing tax regimes, their overall advantage may reduce as basic pay increases.

Experts also indicate that employees may see higher EPF contributions, which could reduce monthly in-hand salary, especially for mid and senior-level professionals.

Overall, the new labour codes aim to bring greater transparency in salary structures, while also changing how compensation and taxation are balanced for salaried employees.

Port Blair/Dhaka, Apr 15 (BNP): A major maritime tragedy has unfolded in the Andaman Sea after an overcrowded trawler carrying Rohingya refugees capsized, with around 250 people feared missing. The vessel, which departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was bound for Malaysia, is reported to have sunk due to heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowding, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Preliminary reports suggest the trawler was carrying nearly 280 passengers, most of them Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution and conflict in Myanmar. The passengers are believed to have come from the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, which host over a million displaced people from Rakhine state.

Rescue Operations Underway
The Bangladesh Coast Guard said one of its vessels rescued nine survivors, including a woman, on April 9. In a separate incident, the Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MT Meghna Pride spotted several individuals adrift on makeshift flotation devices and rescued them from deep waters near the Andaman Islands. Search and rescue operations are ongoing amid challenging sea conditions.

Survivor Accounts Reveal Ordeal
Survivors described harrowing conditions, alleging they were lured by traffickers with promises of employment in Malaysia. One survivor reported that several passengers died even before the capsizing due to inhumane conditions onboard. He also sustained burns from spilled fuel and drifted at sea for nearly 36 hours before being rescued.

Ongoing Rohingya Crisis
Thousands of Rohingya, a persecuted minority from Myanmar, undertake dangerous sea journeys each year to escape violence and dire living conditions. Many attempt to reach Malaysia, often relying on human trafficking networks. Meanwhile, Rakhine state continues to witness intense fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

UNHCR Raises Alarm
The UNHCR termed the incident a stark reminder of the “dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions” for the Rohingya community. It called for urgent global efforts to address the root causes of displacement and ensure safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of refugees.

Recurring Sea Tragedies
The Andaman Sea, bordering Myanmar, Thailand and the Malay Peninsula, has frequently witnessed such incidents. Last year, at least 427 Rohingya were feared dead in two separate shipwrecks off Myanmar’s coast, underscoring the persistent risks associated with such perilous journeys.

Further details on the missing persons and rescue efforts are awaited as authorities continue operations in the region.