Local Round-up: Rachel Gupta Becomes First Indian to Win Miss Grand International, Mastercard's Tech Centre in Pune & More!

Local Round-up brings to you what's happening across the country in travel, food, infrastructure, sports, and herein, we have curated the updates from the weekend and the initial of this week for you. So, read these below. 

Visioned by Ratan Tata, PM Modi launches C-295 Aircraft Facility in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez jointly opened the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, which would manufacture C-295 aircraft. Under the C-295 program, a total of 56 aircraft will be built at the facility, which is the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India. Of these, 16 will be delivered directly by the Spanish aircraft manufacturer Airbus, while the remaining 40 will be constructed on-site. Ratan Tata was the brain behind this project. 

28 lakh diyas to be lit for Diwali along Saryu River in Ayodhya 

Preparations are in full swing for the first Diwali at the newly built Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. The city in Uttar Pradesh will see a grand celebration with 28 lakh diyas to be lit across River Saryu. The government said that these special wax lamps would be used to minimise carbon emissions and protect the temple from soot damage and it aims to create a world record with this set-up.

Rachel Gupta makes history as the first Indian to win Miss Grand International 2024

Rachel Gupta, a 20-year-old from Jalandhar, became the first Indian to win the coveted Miss Grand International 2024 title, marking a significant milestone for Indian pageantry. She secured the title by competing against 70 countries. In addition to her achievement, Gupta won the 2024 Grand Pageants Choice Award. "Rachel is currently tied with former Miss Universe Lara Dutta and holds the record for the most global pageant crown wins by an Indian," her uncle Minhas disclosed to a news publication.

Union Cabinet approves Rs. 1,000 crore for space-tech start-ups

The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs. 1,000 crore venture capital fund to support India’s growing space technology startups, as announced in the Union Budget 2024-25. Managed by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the fund aims to drive innovation in satellite technology, launch vehicles, and space applications.

Mastercard opens one of its biggest tech centres in Pune

To support its expansion in the Indian market, the US-based payment card services giant Mastercard recently launched a cutting-edge digital campus in Pune. The almost half-million-square-meter Pune building is one of Mastercard's biggest technology hubs worldwide. Pune now becomes one of the select few global IT hubs for Mastercard, joining the ranks of Arlington, Dublin, New York, St. Louis, Sydney, and Vancouver.

Vinod Rawat becomes the first Indian with above-knee amputation to climb Mt. Everest Base Camp

Vinod Rawat from Mumbai scripted history as he became the first Indian with an above-knee amputation to climb the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Vinod achieved this feat with a prosthetic leg for around 170 km to reach a height of 5364 metres. He lost his leg in a truck accident at the age of six and achieved this milestone after 40 years of his accident. 

Delhi Jal Board opens a temporary laboratory to monitor various water quality parameters in the Yamuna River

Since the frothing in the river at the Okhla barrage is once again at the centre of political controversy, the Delhi Jal Board has opened a temporary laboratory at Kalindi Kunj to monitor various water quality parameters in the Yamuna. The laboratory is also monitoring the level of dosing of anti-foaming and anti-surfactant solutions being sprinkled downstream of the barrage to minimise foam formation.