INDIA'S IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA INCREASED AMID SANCTION Amid international sanctions imposed against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, India’s imports from Russia have increased rapidly. India’s crude oil imports from Russia surged by 286% while coal imports increased by over 345% in the January-April 2022 period. Russia is now among the top 10 suppliers of crude oil to India. Russian oil now makes up to ten per cent of India’s oil import basket.

ANJALI PONNUSAMY

ANJALI PONNUSAMY The Prime Minister has condoled the passing away of the distinguished Indian National Army Veteran Anjalai Ponnusamy from Malaysia. Though she was not born in India (but in Malaysia), she joined the INA’s Rani of Jhansi regiment, at the age of 21 (1943). [INA’s Rani of Jhansi regiment is the first Women’s army in the world.] She has the experience of following the troops up to the Burma-India Border in the effort to free India from British R

OACHIRA KALI RITUAL

OACHIRA KALI RITUAL Oachira kali is a festival celebrated in the month of June in Kerala. It is to commemorate the Battle of Kayamkulam, fought between the Maharaja of Travancore Marthanda Varma and the Raja of Kayamkulam on the plains of Oachira Temple. The battlefield was a paddy field adjacent to the famous Oachira Parabrahma temple and the festivities are part of a ritual associated with the shrine. The festival also includes local men mocking the battle fought between

AGNIPATH SCHEME

AGNIPATH SCHEME It is the scheme of the Ministry of Defense for recruiting youth between the age of 17.5 and 21 years for four years straight in the armed forces with a provision of voluntary retention after this period based on merit. It planned to intake 46000 young men and women this year. It will be the only form of recruitment of solder into three defence services from now. The recruits will know as Agniveers under this scheme. After completing the four-year ser

Significance of Transfer Of IN- Orbit Communication

Significance of Transfer Of IN- Orbit Communication Satellite Recently the union cabinet approved the transfer of 10 in-orbit communication satellites from the government of India to NewSpace India limited. NSIL is a public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Space. The Indian government has also approved increasing the share capital of NSIL from Rs1000 crore to Rs 7500 crore. SIGNIFICANCE It will provide the desired financial autonomy to the