Chemical Sciences Associate Professor recognized for pioneering work in systems chemistry, exploring ‘Life 2.0’ and the origins of life.

Associate professor of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, Dibyendu Das, has been selected for the prestigious ‘Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award’ under the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025, officials said on Saturday.

Das, an associate professor in the department of chemical sciences, is internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to the emerging field of systems chemistry, where his laboratory investigates how life-like functions can emerge from simple chemical building blocks.

His research addresses fundamental questions such as how living-matter-like materials can be artificially created, whether concepts of “Life 2.0” can be realised in the laboratory, and how chemistry can illuminate the origins of life.

Confirming the news, Das said, “It was scheduled to be announced on August 22, but was delayed for a few months.” An IISER Kolkata official said, “The award in chemistry for the year 2025 was announced by the government of India under the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar in recognition of Das’ pioneering discoveries, internationally acclaimed publications and leadership in shaping the rapidly growing discipline of systems chemistry.” The RVP is positioned as one of the highest recognitions in India for contributions in science, technology and technology-led innovation.

Earlier, IISER Kolkata faculty including Soumitro Banerjee (2003, Physical Sciences), Biswarup Mukhopadhyaya (2003, Physical Sciences), Swadhin Kumar Mandal (2018, Chemical Sciences), and Rahul Banerjee (2018, Chemical Sciences) were also conferred the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for their innovative work, officials said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Imagine a single test that can guide your doctor on which medicines will work best for your body, not just today, but for the rest of your life. AIG Hospitals, in collaboration with GenepoweRx, has launched an affordable pharmacogenomics test – which helps doctors prescribe medicines based on an individual’s genetic makeup.

Every person metabolises medicines differently. Some drugs that work well for one individual may be ineffective, or even harmful, for another. The pharmacogenomics test analyses a patient’s genetic code to predict how their body responds to common medications for heart disease , diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological and psychiatric conditions, and pain management.

The test is priced at ₹5,000, a fraction of the ₹80,000 charged for similar genomic tests in Western countries. The test results can be used anytime in the future. Patients receive a personalised report booklet, which can be shown to any doctor, anywhere, ensuring all future prescriptions are tailored to their genetic profile, said D. Nageshwar Reddy, chairman, AIG Hospitals.

The launch follows a joint study involving more than 2,000 patients, which revealed that nearly 30% were taking medicines that were not suited to their genetic makeup. In some cases, the dosage needed to be increased, while in others it needed to be reduced. The mismatch led to poor treatment outcomes or avoidable side effects.

How the test works?

A 2 ml blood sample is drawn at AIG Hospitals. DNA is extracted and analysed using sequencing technology on validated platforms such as Illumina and MGI. Approximately 5 GB of genomic data per patient is processed to determine how the body metabolises drugs across multiple disease pathways. The results are compiled in a report and delivered to the patient within 12–13 days, said Hima Challa, clinical genomics expert, Harvard Medical School, who is part of the project.

The test evaluates around 120–190 genes that influence drug metabolism. It is not disease-specific, instead, it provides a comprehensive profile of how an individual responds to medications for any condition. Even if a patient develops a new disease or is prescribed a new drug in the future, the information can guide correct dosing.

Data sources and research

The test uses a combination of AIG Hospitals’ own study of over 2,000 Indian patients and UK Biobank data, which includes about 15% Indian representation among a million participants. This ensures that genetic variations specific to the Indian population are considered before arriving at a decision.

Cost and benefits

“Beyond affordability, the test can reduce pharmaceutical costs by preventing over-prescription and unnecessary high dosages, while also avoiding complications and hospitalisations caused by adverse drug reactions,” said Dr. Reddy.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The 46-year-old’s latest book, described by judges as “important reading” in the context of the climate crisis, received the coveted prize at a ceremony at the British Academy in London on Wednesday evening.

‘The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years’ by Indian-origin historian Sunil Amrith has been named the winner of this year’s British Academy Book Prize, a prestigious 25,000-pound award that celebrates the world’s best works of non-fiction.

Amrith, a Professor of History at Yale University in the US, was born in Kenya to South Indian parents, grew up in Singapore and graduated from the University of Cambridge in England.

The 46-year-old’s latest book, described by judges as “important reading” in the context of the climate crisis, received the coveted prize at a ceremony at the British Academy in London on Wednesday evening.

“I’ve sometimes been asked whether ‘The Burning Earth’ is a bleak book,” said Amrith, via live video link from the US. There’s no doubt it details a great deal of harm and suffering, both human and environmental, and it shows that the two were almost always interlinked.

But in the end, what I’d like to read from the book is a sense that many parts brought us to this point of time.

So there were also many paths not taken, ideas that have been forgotten, movements that may have failed but have left a lasting legacy, technologies that were humbler and more sustainable.

“And perhaps we can find, in returning to those paths not taken, seeds of inspiration for a more hopeful and less violent way of living together on this planet, which we share with each other and with so much other life that we depend on,” he said.

The announcement was made by the chair of the judges, UK-based historian Professor Rebecca Earle, who described the winning work as a magisterial account of the interconnections between human history and environmental transformation.

“It is vivid in detail and beautifully written important reading for anyone seeking to understand the origins of today’s climate crisis,” said Earle.

“Amrith is a remarkable scholar whose global perspective reveals the impact of the environment on human history, as well as our impact on the environment.

In fact, as he shows, it’s not really possible to separate these two. It is never an easy task to choose one winner from an exceptional shortlist of six, but our panel agreed that ‘The Burning Earth’ exemplified the spirit of the prize: to deepen understanding of our world,” she said.

The British Academy, the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, notes that Amrith’s “ground-breaking work of global environmental history” draws on decades of meticulous and eye-opening research to reveal how colonisation, industrialisation and the shifting patterns of human settlement have not only shaped the modern world but also fuelled the climate crisis we are now faced with.

Spanning continents and centuries from the conquest of the Americas to British gold mining in South Africa, from the Black Death to the Second World War, Amrith takes the reader on an epic journey, offering a new perspective on humanity’s impact on the planet.

“This fresh look at the interplay of human history with the shape of the earth combines rigorous research with page-turning prose.

It is precisely the combination of evidence-informed insight, well-honed ideas, and great writing that we are proud to celebrate through our annual international book prize,” said Professor Susan J Smith, President of the British Academy.

The other five shortlisted works, which each receive 1,000 pounds, included ‘The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World’ by William Dalrymple; ‘The Baton and The Cross: Russia’s Church from Pagans to Putin’ by Lucy Ash; ‘Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance’ by Bronwen Everill; ‘Sick of It: The Global Fight for Women’s Health’ by Sophie Harman; and ‘Sound Tracks: A Musical Detective Story’ by Graeme Lawson.

The British Academy Book Prize was established in 2013 to reward writing grounded in exceptional research in the fields of the humanities and social sciences.

To be eligible for the prize, books must be works of non-fiction published in the UK, with authors of any nationality, based anywhere in the world and working in any language, provided that the nominated work is available in the English language.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Among serious complications is delayed wound healing, often resulting in diabetic foot ulcers, infection and in severe cases, amputation.

Nagaland University researchers have identified a naturally occurring plant compound called “Sinapic acid” as a powerful therapeutic agent capable of significantly accelerating wound healing in diabetic conditions, according to officials.

The discovery marks a major advancement that could result in safe, natural and effective treatments for diabetic wound management, they said.

According to Panav Kumar Prabhakar, Head, Department of Biotechnology, Nagaland University, this is the first study globally to demonstrate that Sinapic acid, when administered orally, can accelerate diabetic wound healing in preclinical models. The research established that the compound works by activating the SIRT1 pathway, which plays a crucial role in tissue repair, angiogenesis and inflammation control.

The findings have been published in Nature Scientific Reports, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal from Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature).

“This discovery not only highlights the strength of our scientific community but also reflects our commitment to addressing pressing health challenges through innovation rooted in nature. I congratulate the research team for their dedication and contribution towards improving healthcare solutions,” said Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University.

Prabhakar explained that diabetes mellitus remains one of the world’s most pressing chronic diseases, affecting hundreds of millions globally.

“Among its serious complications is delayed wound healing, often resulting in diabetic foot ulcers, infection and in severe cases, amputation. Existing synthetic drugs have shown limited efficacy and often cause undesirable side effects,” he said.

“We set out seeking a safe, plant-based alternative — exploring how Sinapic acid, a naturally occurring antioxidant found in various edible plants, could accelerate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote new blood vessel formation in diabetic wounds,” he added.

The researchers explained that we found that a lower dose (20 mg/kg) was more effective than a higher one (40 mg/kg), a phenomenon known as “Inverted Dose-Response”.

“This result not only optimises dosage strategy but also has significant clinical implications for future drug development. The key implications of this discovery include reducing the risk of amputation and accelerating recovery in diabetic foot ulcers and providing an affordable, natural oral therapy, improving accessibility for patients in rural and resource-limited settings,” he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Celebrating Diwali in Denver, Udemy co-founder Gagan Biyani said that the US now embraces Indian culture more openly than before. 

Udemy co-founder Gagan Biyani has shared a heartwarming reflection on celebrating Diwali in the United States, saying the festival reminds him of why he is Indian, but also why he remains proud to be American.

In a long post on X, the entrepreneur drew parallels between what the festival looked like in the US years ago and how it had amassed a jubilant status now. “Today’s Diwali and it reminds me of why I’m Indian but also why I’m proud to be American,” he wrote.

Biyani said that he was marking Diwali this year in Denver with his wife, brother, sister-in-law and mother, decorating the house and preparing a festive dinner. The celebration took on a deeper meaning when his brother mentioned that their four-year-old neighbour was “begging to join” the festivities after learning about the festival last year.

Biyani shared that the young neighbour, who is white and has little exposure to Indian communities, enjoyed a “mini Diwali” arranged especially for her last year, complete with lights, decorations and a short pooja ritual. “Given we’re in Denver, she’s white and has very few Indian friends, so normally this would be quite a shock,” he wrote.

“When I was young, I lived in a suburb with 20% Indians and still nobody ever asked me about Diwali. That was still the era when Indian Americans were most associated with Apu, the convenience store owner from The Simpsons,” Biyani continued.

Today's Diwali and it reminds me of why I'm Indian but also why I'm proud to be American.

My wife and I are in Denver with my brother, his wife, and my mom. We've decorated the house and are preparing a feast for this evening.

Then my brother makes an interesting comment – says…

— Gagan Biyani 🏛 (@gaganbiyani) October 20, 2025

‘Proud to be celebrating my culture in US’

The entrepreneur contrasted that experience with what he now sees as a broader cultural openness in the US over the past three decades. “In 2025, I found nothing odd about a 4-year-old who is curious about my culture and where my parents are from. In fact, I’ve found that over my 30+ years here I have felt more and more curiosity and acceptance all around the country (not just in liberal enclaves like Denver and Oakland),” he said.

Further, Biyani acknowledged the polarisation in American politics and “some backsliding,” but said that his lived experience across the world leaves him more optimistic than discouraged.

“We constantly hear about how divisive America is. But I’ve traveled nearly everywhere – 60+ countries, often solo, including 15 times to India. America has its problems and it sucks to see the recent backsliding but the big picture is very clear to me,” he wrote, before firmly establishing that no other place ever felt like “home” to him like the US did.

“No place feels like home to me like the US of A. No place outside of India accepts my people the way America does. I’m proud to be celebrating my culture in the land of the free and the home of the brave,” he said.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The Defence Minister inaugurated the third production line of the LCA Mk1A, and the second production line of the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), which is an indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft designed and developed by HAL for the IAF.

The maiden flight of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, manufactured at the third production line of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), took place on October 17 in Nashik in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Defence Minister also inaugurated the third production line of the LCA Mk1A, and the second production line of the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), which is an indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft designed and developed by HAL for the IAF.

The first two production lines of the LCA, and the first production line of the HTT-40, are located in Bengaluru.

he company initiated establishment of the third production line in order to fast-track delivery of LCA Tejas aircraft to the IAF.

The production line in Nashik has a capacity of eight aircraft per annum.

According to the company, with this third production line, HAL will achieve a total production capacity of 24 aircraft per year for LCA Mk1A. The third Line has resulted in creation of approximately 1,000 jobs, and development of more than 40 industry partners in and around Nashik, including in cities of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

With the additional production line, HAL can also target export of the aircraft to friendly countries, and will facilitate completion of export requirement at an enhanced production rate.

By the next two years, the company plans to expand capacity in Nashik up to 10 aircraft per annum by way of establishing an additional Assembly Jig Line, Tooling and Pre-installation Check facilities for Line Replaceable Units.

HTT-40

The HAL undertook design and development of the HTT-40 aircraft with its own funding to comply with IAF requirements. It flew the first prototype (PT1) in May 2016, and the second prototype (PT2) in May 2017.

The HTT-40 programme is a significant contributor to employment, particularly within India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. It is expected to create approximately 1,500 direct employment opportunities within HAL.

The company estimates that up to 3,000 indirect jobs will be generated across more than 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the supply chain.

As per the total flying requirements, IAF has an option for a follow-on procurement of additional 36 aircraft.

“As a cost-effective, indigenous trainer, the HTT-40 has potential for export to other countries, particularly nations with similar training needs,” HAL stated.

There was a fly past by the Su-30 Mki and a formation flight of the HTT-40 on the occasion.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)
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A medical graduate from Tamil Nadu has secured the second prize in the BRICS Young Innovator Prize held in Brazil last month.

Sakthi Jaya Sundar Rajasekar was part of an Indian delegation of 11 young scientists and innovators at the 10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum and the 8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize event.

The thematic areas of this year’s forum focused on pressing global challenges such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, science diplomacy in a changing world, and artificial intelligence for societal solutions.

Mr Rajasekar’s project focused on developing an artificial intelligence-powered rapid diagnostic solution to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using single-bacterium nanomotion dynamics.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Invented at Nizam’s Restaurant in Kolkata during the 1930s, the Kathi Roll has long been a staple of the city’s street food culture.

pix

Kolkata’s iconic Kathi Roll has earned global acclaim once again, securing the sixth spot in TasteAtlas’ latest ranking of the world’s best wraps. The list, topped by Greece’s Gyros and South Korea’s Sangchu Ssam, celebrates some of the most flavourful handheld meals from around the world.

Invented at Nizam’s Restaurant in Kolkata during the 1930s, the Kathi Roll has long been a staple of the city’s street food culture. Originally made by wrapping grilled kebabs in a flaky paratha, the roll was designed as a quick, portable meal.

Kolkata’s iconic Kathi Roll has earned global acclaim once again, securing the sixth spot in TasteAtlas’ latest ranking of the world’s best wraps. The list, topped by Greece’s Gyros and South Korea’s Sangchu Ssam, celebrates some of the most flavourful handheld meals from around the world.

Invented at Nizam’s Restaurant in Kolkata during the 1930s, the Kathi Roll has long been a staple of the city’s street food culture. Originally made by wrapping grilled kebabs in a flaky paratha, the roll was designed as a quick, portable meal.

The term ‘kathi’ — meaning ‘stick’ in Bengali — refers to the bamboo skewers that replaced heavy iron rods once used to grill the meat. Today, the roll’s adaptability — with fillings ranging from spiced chicken to paneer — has made it one of Kolkata’s, as well as India’s, most iconic street eats.

Interestingly, the Chicken Kathi Roll also received a separate mention in TasteAtlas’ extended Top 20 list.

Top 10 wraps from around the world as per TasteAtlas:

1. Gyros (Greece) – Slices of pork or chicken cooked on a rotating spit, served in pita with tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes.
2. Sangchu Ssam (South Korea) – Lettuce wraps filled with rice, meat, and spicy condiments like gochujang.
3. Tantuni (Türkiye) – Thinly sliced beef or lamb sautéed with spices, onions, and tomatoes, served in lavash.
4. Enchiladas Suizas (Mexico) – Creamy cheese-topped tortillas inspired by Swiss influences on Mexican cuisine.
5. Carne Asada Burrito (USA) – Flour tortilla stuffed with grilled beef, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
6. Kathi Roll (India) – Roasted kebab meat wrapped in paratha, seasoned with spices and onions.
7. Burrito (Mexico) – Wheat tortilla filled with meat, beans, rice, and guacamole.
8. Enchiladas (Mexico) – Chile-soaked tortillas stuffed with cheese or meat.
9. Mulita (Mexico) – Grilled meat and cheese sandwiched between two crispy tortillas.
10. Enchiladas Mineras (Mexico) – A traditional Guanajuato version with rich sauces and fillings.

TasteAtlas, known for cataloguing traditional dishes across the globe, also recently featured Murgh Makhani at rank 29 and Hyderabadi Biryani at 31 in its “Best Food in the World” list.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Adani Enterprises said its joint venture, AdaniConneX, will partner with Google to build India’s largest AI data centre campus and green energy infrastructure in Visakhapatnam.

Google on Tuesday announced a $15 billion investment over the next five years to build a massive artificial intelligence (AI) data centre campus in Andhra Pradesh’s port city of Visakhapatnam, marking its largest-ever investment in India and its biggest AI hub outside the United States.

The investment, covering the period from 2026 to 2030, will support data infrastructure, clean energy generation, and transmission networks, according to a joint statement by Google and the Andhra Pradesh government.

Google on Tuesday announced a $15 billion investment over the next five years to build a massive artificial intelligence (AI) data centre campus in Andhra Pradesh’s port city of Visakhapatnam, marking its largest-ever investment in India and its biggest AI hub outside the United States.

“This long-term vision we have is to accelerate India’s own AI mission,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, at the Bharat AI Shakti event in New Delhi. “It’s the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world outside of the US.”

Multi-faceted AI infrastructure

The 1-gigawatt (GW) data centre campus will combine AI infrastructure, large-scale energy sources, and an expanded fibre-optic network. It will also include the construction of a new international subsea gateway, enhancing India’s digital connectivity.

“This hub combines gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc., in a post on X. “Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the investment, calling it “a powerful force in democratising technology.”

“Delighted by the launch of the Google AI Hub in the dynamic city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh,” Modi said in a post on X. “It will deliver cutting-edge tools to our citizens, boost our digital economy, and secure India’s place as a global technology leader.”

Delighted by the launch of the Google AI Hub in the dynamic city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

This multi-faceted investment that includes gigawatt-scale data center infrastructure, aligns with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat. It will be a powerful force in… https://t.co/lbjO3OSyMy

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 14, 2025

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed that Google had raised its initial commitment from $10 billion to $15 billion. “We must focus on upskilling our youth to take advantage of emerging AI opportunities,” he said.

A truly historic and auspicious day, marking one of the biggest technology milestones for Andhra Pradesh and India!

Today, Andhra Pradesh signed a landmark agreement with Google to set up a USD 15 billion, gigawatt-scale AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam. This centre will be the… pic.twitter.com/quexyZmgil

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) October 14, 2025

Partnership with Adani and Airtel

The project will be co-developed with AdaniConneX, a joint venture between Adani Enterprises and EdgeConneX, alongside Airtel as a key partner.

“A monumental day for India!” wrote Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, on X. “This facility will house the TPU and GPU-based compute power required for deep learning, neural network training, and large-scale AI model inference, creating an ecosystem that accelerates AI-driven solutions for India’s most critical sectors — from healthcare and agriculture to logistics and finance.”

A monumental day for India!
Adani is proud to partner with @Google to build India’s largest AI data centre campus – in Visakhapatnam – engineered specifically for the demands of artificial intelligence.

​This facility will house the TPU and GPU-based compute power required for… pic.twitter.com/leypKgPTAb

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) October 14, 2025

Google said the project will include co-investments in transmission lines, clean energy generation, and innovative energy storage systems in Andhra Pradesh.

Economic impact and job creation

A Google-commissioned analysis estimates the AI hub could generate $15 billion in new economic activity over the next five years, driven by AI adoption and digital transformation across sectors. Earlier state projections suggested the project could create up to 188,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Government and industry response

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman lauded Naidu’s long-standing digital vision, saying, “It is just the right place to land in and the right country to be in. Policy is pushing ahead much before many in the political arena are even ready to absorb.”

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the facility will strengthen India’s AI Mission, supporting startups and young innovators. “This data centre will augment the AI infrastructure needed to ensure our youth and startups get the facilities required to build their products and services,” he said.

US-India trade tensions

The announcement comes amid a tense diplomatic standoff between New Delhi and Washington over tariffs and a stalled trade deal. US multinationals have faced boycott calls in India following new American tariffs on Indian goods.

“This initiative creates substantial economic and societal opportunities for both India and the United States,” Google said in a statement, without directly referring to the trade tensions.

Despite the backdrop of trade friction, Indian officials have privately assured US companies of a supportive business environment, two sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Growing AI race

With nearly a billion internet users, India is emerging as a key battleground for global tech giants. Microsoft and Amazon have already made multi-billion-dollar bets on AI and cloud infrastructure, while Indian conglomerates such as Adani and Reliance are rapidly expanding data capacity.

Google, whose Android system dominates smartphones and YouTube has the most users in India, sees the country as central to its future growth despite ongoing antitrust challenges and legal scrutiny.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

The Buildathon, India’s largest synchronised innovation hackathon, is aimed at encouraging students to ideate, design, and build prototypes of products.

Over 1 crore school students of Classes 6 to 12 attended a two-hour long live tinkering innovation session as part of the Viksit Bharat Buildathon (VBB) 2025 inaugurated by Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi, officials said on Monday.

Students from over 3 lakh schools across the country worked in teams of 3 to 5 to ideate, design innovative solutions and build their prototypes around four themes — vocal for local, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), ‘swadeshi’ (indigenous), and ‘samriddh Bharat’ (prosperous India) in India’s largest synchronised innovation hackathon for school students, the education ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the highest participation came from Uttar Pradesh, with students from 78,206 schools joining the live event, followed by 41,198 schools in Maharashtra and 20,017 schools in Gujarat.

VBB 2025 is a joint initiative of the department of school education and literacy (DoSEL) under the education ministry and NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), aimed at encouraging students to ideate, design, and build prototypes of the products in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat (developed India) at 2047.

During his address to the inaugural session, Pradhan said, “I am confident that the innovative ideas germinated from here will pave the way for creating new global models and finding solutions to pressing domestic and global challenges. A Viksit and Samriddh Bharat will be built on the shoulders of our talented school students.”

During the inaugural session, Pradhan also interacted with the students of PM SHRI Government High School, Khorda, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He also visited Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, and PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 in Delhi Cantt., to interact with students and teachers and observed a range of innovative student projects. He also sat in the Class 1 classroom among the students and “learnt” the art of numbers.

Sanjay Kumar, secretary, department of school education and literacy, ministry of education in his address said that this one-of-a-kind movement would enhance the learning capabilities and will strengthen the innovative approach of students.

Schools can submit their entries on the VBB portal till October 31, which will then be evaluated by a panel of experts from November 1 to December 31, followed by the announcement and felicitation of top teams in January 2026. The Union education ministry has announced a ₹1 crore prize pool to reward the most creative and impactful entries, including 1,000 district-level, 100 state-level, and 10 national-level winners.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)