Rachana Kamani from Gujarat has been added to the FIFA list of women referees for 2026, while Ashwin Kumar (Puducherry) and Aditya Purkayastha (Delhi) figured among men.

Three more Indians, including a woman, have been added to the list of FIFA Referees by the world football governing body, the national federation said on Wednesday (December 31, 2025).

Rachana Kamani from Gujarat has been added to the FIFA list of women referees for 2026, while Ashwin Kumar (Puducherry) and Aditya Purkayastha (Delhi) figured among men.

Kumar and Purkayastha have completed their AFC Referee Academy course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, while Rachana is currently undergoing the same course, the All India Football Federation said.

Two Indians — Muralitharan Pandurangan (Puducherry) and Peter Christopher (Maharashtra) — have been inducted as FIFA Assistant Referees.

As many as 19 match officials from India are a part of the FIFA list of match officials for 2026.

Indians in FIFA International List of Match Officials 2026: Referees: Venkatesh R, Harish Kundu, Senthil Nathan Sekaran, Crystal John, Ashwin Kumar, Aditya Purkayastha, Ranjita Devi Tekcham, Rachana Hasmukhbhai Kamani.

Assistant Referees: Vairamuthu Parasuraman, Sumanta Dutta, Arun Sasidharan Pillai, Ujjal Halder, Muralitharan Pandurangan, Dipesh Manohar Sawant, Sourav Sarkar, Christopher Peter, Riiohlang Dhar, Elangbam Debala Devi.

Futsal Referee: Vishal Mahendrabhai Vaja.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

From the icy heights of Siachen to the cold deserts of Ladakh and disaster-hit civilian areas, these animals have quietly shared the burden of duty, courage and sacrifice.

This Republic Day, Kartavya Path will witness a rare and stirring spectacle as animals of the Indian Army march in step, embodying endurance, sacrifice and India’s unmatched high-altitude military capability.

According to the Army, for the first time ever, a specially curated animal contingent of the Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) will be showcased at the Republic Day parade, highlighting the indispensable role played by animals in securing India’s most challenging frontiers.

The contingent will feature two Bactrian camels, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors, 10 Indian-breed Army dogs and six conventional military dogs currently in service. Together, they represent a unique blend of tradition, innovation and self-reliance within the Army’s operational ecosystem.

Leading the formation will be the hardy Bactrian camels, recently inducted for operations in the cold deserts of Ladakh. Exceptionally adapted to extreme cold, thin air and altitudes above 15,000 feet, these camels can carry loads of up to 250 kg while traversing long distances with minimal water and feed. Their induction has significantly strengthened logistical support and mounted patrolling capabilities along the Line of Actual Control, particularly in sandy terrain and steep gradients, the Army added.

Extraordinary endurance

The Army further informed that marching alongside them will be the Zanskar ponies, a rare indigenous mountain breed from Ladakh. Despite their small size, these ponies are known for extraordinary endurance, capable of carrying 40 to 60 kg over long distances at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet and in temperatures plunging to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Inducted in 2020, they have served in some of the harshest terrains, including the Siachen Glacier, supporting logistics and mounted patrols that can cover up to 70 km in a single day.

Adding a dimension of aerial vigilance will be four raptors, employed for bird-strike control and surveillance, showcasing the Army’s innovative use of natural capabilities to enhance operational safety and effectiveness.

A major highlight of the parade will be the Army dogs, often referred to as the “Silent Warriors” of the Indian Army. Raised, trained and nurtured by the RVC Centre and College in Meerut, these dogs play a vital role in counter-terrorism operations, explosive and mine detection, tracking, guarding, disaster response and search-and-rescue missions. Over the years, several Army dogs and their handlers have been honoured with gallantry awards for acts of exceptional courage in combat and humanitarian operations.

Indigenous dog breeds

In line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, the Army has increasingly inducted indigenous dog breeds such as Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai and Rajapalayam. Their presence on Kartavya Path will underscore India’s growing self-reliance in defence and the successful integration of native breeds into specialised military roles.

As the animal contingent marches past the saluting dais on Republic Day 2026, it will serve as a poignant reminder that India’s defence strength is built not by machines and soldiers alone. From the icy heights of Siachen to the cold deserts of Ladakh and disaster-hit civilian areas, these animals have quietly shared the burden of duty, courage and sacrifice.

They will march not merely as support elements, but as warriors on four legs — living symbols of resilience, loyalty and the Army’s unwavering resolve to protect the nation under all conditions, the Army added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Doctors are prescribing it, patients are taking it – therapeutic cannabis is now part of the health toolkit.

When Samisht Sehgal’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, the family soon realised that alongside treatment came a range of other challenges. Medications and therapies often affected how she ate, slept and coped physically and emotionally.

“We just wanted to improve her quality of life, help her eat, sleep and feel a little happier each day. The usual options were opioids or comfort measures, but friends and doctors in the US suggested medical cannabis,” Sehgal recalls.

It was advice that surprised him. Even more shocking was how hard it was to find the medicine.

At the time, Sehgal was a young consultant at Deloitte. Everything he found had to be imported. There was nothing being made in India. For a country with a long history of plant-based medicine and holistic healing, the gap was glaring.

That personal experience planted the seed that would eventually become Qurist, a homegrown medical cannabis company that now sells around 15 products for pain, stress, sleep disorders and even pets.

Sehgal’s journey mirrors a broader shift now underway. He is part of a new generation of entrepreneurs pushing medical cannabis into India’s health mainstream, cautiously, scientifically and firmly within the law.

For a long time, the mainstream barely existed.

Legal ambiguity, social stigma and fear of association with recreational drug use kept most companies and doctors at bay, while patients often struggled on with limited options. That picture is now changing.

Over the past 12 to 18 months, interest in cannabis-based medicine has surged, driven by growing health awareness, curiosity about plant-based alternatives and clearer regulatory interpretation.

“The market has expanded significantly in a very short time,” says Yash Kotak, co-founder of Bombay Hemp Company, or Boheco, the country’s oldest cannabis-focused enterprise. “We expect explosive growth over the next two to three years, driven by regulation and consumer acceptance.”

When Samisht Sehgal’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, the family soon realised that alongside treatment came a range of other challenges. Medications and therapies often affected how she ate, slept and coped physically and emotionally.

“We just wanted to improve her quality of life, help her eat, sleep and feel a little happier each day. The usual options were opioids or comfort measures, but friends and doctors in the US suggested medical cannabis,” Sehgal recalls.

It was advice that surprised him. Even more shocking was how hard it was to find the medicine.

At the time, Sehgal was a young consultant at Deloitte. Everything he found had to be imported. There was nothing being made in India. For a country with a long history of plant-based medicine and holistic healing, the gap was glaring.

That personal experience planted the seed that would eventually become Qurist, a homegrown medical cannabis company that now sells around 15 products for pain, stress, sleep disorders and even pets.

Sehgal’s journey mirrors a broader shift now underway. He is part of a new generation of entrepreneurs pushing medical cannabis into India’s health mainstream, cautiously, scientifically and firmly within the law.

For a long time, the mainstream barely existed.

Legal ambiguity, social stigma and fear of association with recreational drug use kept most companies and doctors at bay, while patients often struggled on with limited options. That picture is now changing.

Over the past 12 to 18 months, interest in cannabis-based medicine has surged, driven by growing health awareness, curiosity about plant-based alternatives and clearer regulatory interpretation.

“The market has expanded significantly in a very short time,” says Yash Kotak, co-founder of Bombay Hemp Company, or Boheco, the country’s oldest cannabis-focused enterprise. “We expect explosive growth over the next two to three years, driven by regulation and consumer acceptance.”

Boheco’s product range reflects how wide that interest has become. The company now offers nearly 39 products addressing pain, sleep disorders, stress and anxiety, gastrointestinal issues and even sexual health. These range from tablets and oils to sprays, ointments and mints, alongside over-the-counter products for skin, hair and nutrition.

According to Kotak, the people turning to these products often share a common story. The largest patient groups are those struggling with sleep, chronic pain and anxiety, with cancer patients forming one of the biggest cohorts.

“There’s growing trust in plant-based medicine,” he says, “and strong repeat usage once people experience results.”

While Sehgal’s work has focused on close collaboration with oncologists and neurologists in Delhi hospitals such as AIIMS, Max and Artemis, others are approaching the space from a different angle.

HempStreet’s Abhishek Mohan, a serial entrepreneur, is using India as an R&D base to develop cannabis-based treatments for specific conditions, including dysmenorrhoea, or severe menstrual pain, aimed at international markets.

“We’re about to launch in the US, are in the approval process in Brazil, and tied up in Thailand,” he says.

For Mohan, cannabis is less about lifestyle and more about precision medicine. That thinking extends to his larger ambition of modernising Ayurveda itself.

“We want Ayurveda-origin medicine to become more scientific and closer to pharma,” he says.

Set against these ambitions, India’s slow progress becomes clearer when viewed globally. In the United States, medical marijuana began to be legalised state by state from the late 1990s, starting with California in 1996.

Canada introduced a national medical cannabis programme in 2001, long before legalising recreational use in 2018.

Across Europe, countries such as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands approved medical cannabis between the early 2000s and mid-2010s, while the UK allowed specialist prescriptions in 2018.

These steps helped normalise cannabis as a therapeutic option for chronic pain, neurological disorders, anxiety, sleep problems and the side effects of cancer treatment.

In India, progress has followed a narrower legal path. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, cannabis flowers, known as ganja, and resin, or charas, remain illegal. The seeds, leaves and fibre of the plant, however, are legal, and that is where medical cannabis companies operate.

The medicines themselves rely on two main compounds. CBD, or cannabidiol, does not cause a high, while THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, does. However, only tiny quantities of THC are permitted in medication.

“We do not work with the flower or resin at all,” says Kotak. “All our cannabinoids are extracted from leaves. Hemp seeds, meanwhile, are used for nutrition. They are rich in protein, omega-3, omega-6 and vitamin E.”

These legal and scientific guardrails have shaped how patients access cannabis-based medicine. Sales today happen both online and offline, with strict oversight. When a customer contacts Qurist online, a doctor calls within 24 hours, assesses symptoms and prescribes accordingly.

Oral medications can only be sold under supervision, as mandated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Physical retail is also becoming more visible. Cure By Design has a flagship store in Bengaluru and pop-up stalls in malls where people can learn about cannabis-based products without judgement or jargon.

Boheco runs five stores across major cities, plans to expand to 16 within 18 months, and already exports to South Korea and Brazil.

In India’s emerging medicinal cannabis market, a range of products is available legally from licensed Ayurvedic/AYUSH vendors, each priced according to potency, formulation and cannabinoid content.

Cannabis oils and tinctures, which blend CBD with THC in precise ratios, are among the most common.

Lower-strength oils, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 mg, typically sell for Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,500, while higher-strength or full-spectrum extracts can cost Rs 7,000 to Rs 12,000 or more.

These oils are generally taken under the tongue and are used to ease pain, reduce stress, improve sleep and manage anxiety. Higher THC content is often prescribed for more severe chronic pain or insomnia, while higher CBD ratios are marketed for general wellness, inflammation or stress relief.

For patients who prefer convenience or precise dosing, capsules and edibles offer alternatives. Cannabis capsules range from low-dose packs (10–25 mg) priced under Rs 500 to higher-dosage 90-capsule bottles costing Rs 4,500 to Rs 8,100, depending on cannabinoid concentration.

Gummies and other edibles are priced from roughly Rs 1,900 up to Rs 5,700, offering discreet, easy-to-take options for anxiety relief, appetite stimulation or symptom management.

When Samisht Sehgal’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, the family soon realised that alongside treatment came a range of other challenges. Medications and therapies often affected how she ate, slept and coped physically and emotionally.

“We just wanted to improve her quality of life, help her eat, sleep and feel a little happier each day. The usual options were opioids or comfort measures, but friends and doctors in the US suggested medical cannabis,” Sehgal recalls.

It was advice that surprised him. Even more shocking was how hard it was to find the medicine.

At the time, Sehgal was a young consultant at Deloitte. Everything he found had to be imported. There was nothing being made in India. For a country with a long history of plant-based medicine and holistic healing, the gap was glaring.

That personal experience planted the seed that would eventually become Qurist, a homegrown medical cannabis company that now sells around 15 products for pain, stress, sleep disorders and even pets.

Sehgal’s journey mirrors a broader shift now underway. He is part of a new generation of entrepreneurs pushing medical cannabis into India’s health mainstream, cautiously, scientifically and firmly within the law.

For a long time, the mainstream barely existed.

Legal ambiguity, social stigma and fear of association with recreational drug use kept most companies and doctors at bay, while patients often struggled on with limited options. That picture is now changing.

Over the past 12 to 18 months, interest in cannabis-based medicine has surged, driven by growing health awareness, curiosity about plant-based alternatives and clearer regulatory interpretation.

“The market has expanded significantly in a very short time,” says Yash Kotak, co-founder of Bombay Hemp Company, or Boheco, the country’s oldest cannabis-focused enterprise. “We expect explosive growth over the next two to three years, driven by regulation and consumer acceptance.”

Boheco’s product range reflects how wide that interest has become. The company now offers nearly 39 products addressing pain, sleep disorders, stress and anxiety, gastrointestinal issues and even sexual health. These range from tablets and oils to sprays, ointments and mints, alongside over-the-counter products for skin, hair and nutrition.

According to Kotak, the people turning to these products often share a common story. The largest patient groups are those struggling with sleep, chronic pain and anxiety, with cancer patients forming one of the biggest cohorts.

“There’s growing trust in plant-based medicine,” he says, “and strong repeat usage once people experience results.”

While Sehgal’s work has focused on close collaboration with oncologists and neurologists in Delhi hospitals such as AIIMS, Max and Artemis, others are approaching the space from a different angle.

HempStreet’s Abhishek Mohan, a serial entrepreneur, is using India as an R&D base to develop cannabis-based treatments for specific conditions, including dysmenorrhoea, or severe menstrual pain, aimed at international markets.

“We’re about to launch in the US, are in the approval process in Brazil, and tied up in Thailand,” he says.

For Mohan, cannabis is less about lifestyle and more about precision medicine. That thinking extends to his larger ambition of modernising Ayurveda itself.

“We want Ayurveda-origin medicine to become more scientific and closer to pharma,” he says.

Set against these ambitions, India’s slow progress becomes clearer when viewed globally. In the United States, medical marijuana began to be legalised state by state from the late 1990s, starting with California in 1996.

Canada introduced a national medical cannabis programme in 2001, long before legalising recreational use in 2018.

Across Europe, countries such as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands approved medical cannabis between the early 2000s and mid-2010s, while the UK allowed specialist prescriptions in 2018.

These steps helped normalise cannabis as a therapeutic option for chronic pain, neurological disorders, anxiety, sleep problems and the side effects of cancer treatment.

In India, progress has followed a narrower legal path. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, cannabis flowers, known as ganja, and resin, or charas, remain illegal. The seeds, leaves and fibre of the plant, however, are legal, and that is where medical cannabis companies operate.

The medicines themselves rely on two main compounds. CBD, or cannabidiol, does not cause a high, while THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, does. However, only tiny quantities of THC are permitted in medication.

“We do not work with the flower or resin at all,” says Kotak. “All our cannabinoids are extracted from leaves. Hemp seeds, meanwhile, are used for nutrition. They are rich in protein, omega-3, omega-6 and vitamin E.”

These legal and scientific guardrails have shaped how patients access cannabis-based medicine. Sales today happen both online and offline, with strict oversight. When a customer contacts Qurist online, a doctor calls within 24 hours, assesses symptoms and prescribes accordingly.

Oral medications can only be sold under supervision, as mandated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Physical retail is also becoming more visible. Cure By Design has a flagship store in Bengaluru and pop-up stalls in malls where people can learn about cannabis-based products without judgement or jargon.

Boheco runs five stores across major cities, plans to expand to 16 within 18 months, and already exports to South Korea and Brazil.

In India’s emerging medicinal cannabis market, a range of products is available legally from licensed Ayurvedic/AYUSH vendors, each priced according to potency, formulation and cannabinoid content.

Cannabis oils and tinctures, which blend CBD with THC in precise ratios, are among the most common.

Lower-strength oils, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 mg, typically sell for Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,500, while higher-strength or full-spectrum extracts can cost Rs 7,000 to Rs 12,000 or more.

These oils are generally taken under the tongue and are used to ease pain, reduce stress, improve sleep and manage anxiety. Higher THC content is often prescribed for more severe chronic pain or insomnia, while higher CBD ratios are marketed for general wellness, inflammation or stress relief.

For patients who prefer convenience or precise dosing, capsules and edibles offer alternatives. Cannabis capsules range from low-dose packs (10–25 mg) priced under Rs 500 to higher-dosage 90-capsule bottles costing Rs 4,500 to Rs 8,100, depending on cannabinoid concentration.

Gummies and other edibles are priced from roughly Rs 1,900 up to Rs 5,700, offering discreet, easy-to-take options for anxiety relief, appetite stimulation or symptom management.

As Sehgal notes, “We’re not expensive because we want higher profit margins. It’s because we source cannabis raw material directly from the Government of India, and you need a lot of plant material to extract enough active compound for one bottle.”

He adds that doctors can trust the products because they focus on pharma-grade, medically approved cannabis extracts.

CBD oil is suitable even for athletes and pilots because the psychoactive THC is removed, while stronger formulations with carefully controlled THC content are used for patients needing more intensive pain or sleep management.

One cannabis-based drug is currently the only approved treatment for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy worldwide.

The applications are also expanding beyond human health. Many companies now offer formulations for pets, used to treat arthritis, anxiety and even epilepsy, particularly in ageing animals.

In many ways, this renewed interest is a return to older ideas. Cannabis has long featured in Indian medicine, particularly in Ayurveda. Practitioners have prescribed it for centuries, and modern companies have leaned heavily on those traditions. Ayurvedic doctors, say industry players, are often more open to cannabis-based treatments than allopathic practitioners.

Institutional support has followed cautiously. The AYUSH ministry has quietly aided the sector by encouraging research and standardisation. Still, much of the real progress has come from personal engagement.

Sehgal recalls visiting doctors one by one, listening carefully to their concerns. “Cancer patients were the lowest-hanging fruit,” he says. “Pain relief, better appetite, better sleep. Cannabis-based medicines helped where many others fell short.”

Despite rapid momentum, medical cannabis in India remains a small industry. Funding is still hard to come by, and many investors remain wary. One notable exception was Ratan Tata, who invested in Boheco early on.

Kotak stresses that legitimacy matters. “We work with banks, pay GST and comply with every regulation. We’re not operating in the shadows. This is legitimate medicine.”

That legitimacy is beginning to translate into growth. Qurist’s revenue has doubled, and in some months nearly tripled, over the past year. Similar patterns are emerging across the sector.

For patients worn down by chronic pain, sleepless nights or the side effects of long-term medication, medical cannabis is no longer a fringe idea. It is quietly becoming part of India’s expanding medicine kit, drawing on ancient practice, shaped by modern science and, after years of hesitation, finding its place in everyday health care.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Jitendra Singh highlighted the government’s focus on blue economy reflects PM Modi’s vision that India cannot develop in isolation by focusing only on the mainland while leaving behind island territories and coastal regions.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday (January 17, 2026) said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be developed as a hub of India’s Blue Economy.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences said India’s future economic value addition will increasingly come from untapped marine resources as the country moves rapidly towards becoming one of the world’s top economies.

He highlighted the government’s strong focus on blue economy reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that India cannot develop in isolation by focusing only on the mainland while leaving behind island territories and coastal regions.

Addressing scientists and officials while on a visit to Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI) to launch and review key marine technology initiatives aimed at strengthening the blue economy and livelihoods in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he said the deep ocean mission will play a decisive role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, as vast marine resources remain largely underexplored despite the country’s long coastline.

Mr. Singh recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Deep Ocean Mission from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day in both 2023 and 2024, underlining its strategic importance.

The blue economy may not be visible to people in the northern parts of the country, but it makes one of the largest contributions to the national economy,” the minister said.

The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs, while also preserving marine ecosystem health.

Mr. Singh said India, which has rapidly climbed global economic rankings, must now focus on value addition from resources that have not been fully explored. “To move from the fourth-largest economy to the top, we must tap areas like the deep sea and marine biodiversity,” he said.

During the visit, he reviewed and announced initiatives, including open sea cage culture demonstrations for marine fishermen and seaweed cultivation, aimed at boosting livelihoods and promoting sustainable marine practices. He said technology transfer for these projects has already been completed.

“Every citizen, industry and institution has a role in nation-building,” the minister said.

Highlighting the role of biotechnology in blue economy, Mr. Singh said India’s dedicated biotechnology policy, Bio-E3 – Biotechnology for economy, environment and employment, supports innovations such as biodegradable alternatives to plastic derived from marine resources.

“Biodegradable marine-based products fulfill all three objectives: they generate jobs, protect the environment and build a new bio-economy,” he said, adding that the Department of Biotechnology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences are working together on such projects.

The Union Minister said Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer unique marine species and ecological conditions that cannot be replicated elsewhere, making the region ideal for advanced marine research. He also announced the launch of a coral fish development project, aimed at both domestic consumption and export markets.

The minister noted growing global demand for non-animal food products, marine-based nutraceuticals and medicines, particularly in Europe, and said India could offer a diversified export basket by leveraging its marine biodiversity.

“Many high-potency medicinal compounds used in cancer and other treatments can be produced more cost-effectively from marine plants,” he said.

Mr. Singh proposed the creation of a collaborative cluster involving institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and CSIR to maximise outcomes from blue economy initiatives.

He reviewed ongoing ocean science projects, interacted with scientists and fishermen, and emphasised women’s participation and self-help groups in marine-based livelihoods.

“This region has unmatched diversity from the Bay of Bengal to the Indian Ocean. With the right technology and collaboration, India can lead the global blue economy,” Mr. Singh said.

He also praised the administration’s efforts to promote development and tourism in the islands, noting that policy decisions have helped unlock the region’s economic potential.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)
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Noida-based IG Defence said on Thursday that its IG T-Shul Pulse Anti-Drone System will be inducted by both services within nearly a month.

An Indian defence technology firm has secured orders from the army and the Indian Navy for an indigenously developed anti-drone system, signalling the armed forces’ growing focus on countering hostile unmanned aerial threats using domestic solutions.

Noida-based IG Defence said on Thursday that its IG T-Shul Pulse Anti-Drone System will be inducted by both services within nearly a month.

The company said the orders aim to strengthen operational capabilities to disrupt and neutralise hostile drones deployed for surveillance, disruption and cross-border infiltration.

Lightweight and rapidly deployable, the IG T-Shul Pulse Anti-Drone System is meant for frontline troops, perimeter security, and the protection of military bases and “critical strategic assets,” the firm said in a statement.

“It offers an effective jamming range of up to two kilometres under line-of-sight and interference-free conditions, providing tactical units with an immediate response option against emerging aerial threats,” IG Defence said.

The IG T-Shul Pulse is described as a “handheld, electronic warfare-based counter-drone jammer designed to disrupt and neutralise hostile drones in active operational environments.”

The company specialises in the design, development and deployment of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS), short-range missile systems, and counter-unmanned solutions.

According to IG Defence, the system marks a shift from legacy single-function jammers. It employs a multi-band, directionally controlled electronic denial architecture developed for frontline military use.

“The emphasis on directional electronic suppression allows threat engagement without unnecessarily degrading friendly communications or onboard naval systems,” the statement said.

By focusing electronic energy along the threat axis, the system improves neutralisation while reducing electromagnetic spill over and limiting cyber and electronic attack surfaces.

This enables “reliable deployment in contested electromagnetic environments on land and at sea,” the firm said.

IG Defence said the induction reflects the armed forces’ increasing reliance on domestic defence technology under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.

The system is entirely designed, developed and manufactured in India, with current production capacity running into the hundreds and scalable to meet operational requirements.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

This achievement follows the earlier successful launch of two Bailey bridges in the Jaffna and Kandy regions.

The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force has successfully constructed the third Bailey Bridge, measuring 120 feet, at KM 15 on the B-492 Highway in Sri Lanka.

The bridge, located in the Central Province, reconnects the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, restoring a critical lifeline that had remained disrupted for over a month following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Taking to social media X, the Indian Army posted, “The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force, after successfully launching two critical Bailey bridges in the Jaffna and Kandy regions, has constructed the third Bailey Bridge of length 120 feet at KM 15 on the B-492 Highway in Sri Lanka’s Central Province.”

“Linking the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, the bridge will restore a vital lifeline which was cut off for over a month in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. This effort reaffirms India’s steadfast commitment to Sri Lanka and the Neighbourhood First policy,” the post read.

This achievement follows the earlier successful launch of two Bailey bridges in the Jaffna and Kandy regions. Collectively, these engineering efforts have restored road connectivity, improved access to essential services, and provided much-needed relief to communities affected by the cyclone.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka late last year, triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and large-scale infrastructure damage, overwhelming local disaster-response mechanisms.

Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched in November 2025, enabled India to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), including restoration of roads, bridges, and essential services. By swiftly reestablishing connectivity along the B-492, the Indian Army has not only facilitated daily life for affected communities but also strengthened bilateral ties and goodwill between India and Sri Lanka.

This effort reaffirms India’s steadfast commitment to Sri Lanka and the Neighbourhood First policy.

Under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Government is committed to developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbours.

India is an active development partner and is involved in several projects in the following countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity. India’s engagement with these countries is based on a consultative, non-reciprocal and outcome-oriented approach, which focuses on delivering benefits like greater connectivity, improved infrastructure, stronger development cooperation in various sectors area, security and broader people-to-people contacts.

Strengthening India’s ties with Sri Lanka, earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Sri Lanka Parliament Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) held in New Delhi.

They discussed close parliamentary cooperation and recalled the time-tested bonds of friendship, mutual support, and shared democratic traditions between India and Sri Lanka. The two leaders also discussed deeper engagement in technology-driven parliamentary innovation.

“Recalled our earlier interactions and the strong, time-tested bonds between India and Sri Lanka, rooted in close friendship, mutual support, and shared democratic traditions. Our discussions highlighted close Parliament-to-Parliament cooperation, including regular exchanges, formation of friendship groups, and collaboration in policy and programme design,” Om Birla said in a post on X.

“We discussed deeper engagement in technology-driven parliamentary innovation, including AI-enabled systems, real-time multilingual translation, and capacity building through PRIDE. Hoped that the strong people-to-people connect, cultural linkages including Bodh Gaya as a shared pilgrimage centre, and continued parliamentary dialogue will further strengthen India-Sri Lanka relations in the years ahead,” he added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

“By significantly reducing travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati route, the train will also give a major boost to religious travel and tourism,”a statement issued by the PMO stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (January 17, 2026) flagged off the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from Malda Town station in north Bengal.

He also virtually flagged off the return Guwahati–Howrah Vande Bharat sleeper train from Malda.

Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an “airline-like travel experience at economical fares”, a statement issued by the PMO stated.

The train will make long-distance journeys faster, safer, and more convenient, it said.

“By significantly reducing travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati route, the train will also give a major boost to religious travel and tourism,” the statement added.

Later at a public programme in Malda, the PM is scheduled to dedicate to the nation, and lay the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects, worth ₹3,250 crore, aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in Bengal and the Northeast

On a two-day visit to eastern India, PM Modi is scheduled to criss-cross poll-bound West Bengal and Assam, blending high-voltage political messaging with a clutch of infrastructure launches as the countdown to the 2026 Assembly elections enters its decisive phase.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Public sector Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Mumbai-based TEMA India have been awarded the nearly Rs 1,600-crore project to set up the systems in 42 months.

A consortium of two Indian companies has won the contract for installing and managing the control and instrumentation package at the under-construction Kudankulam 5 and 6 nuclear reactors, marking another step forward towards greater indigenisation of the nuclear ecosystem in the country.

Public sector Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Mumbai-based TEMA India have been awarded the nearly Rs 1,600 crore project to set up the systems in 42 months.

Control and instrumentation package comprises all the equipment, sensors, logic software and other systems that monitor the plant functioning, facilitate decision-making, and ensure an efficient and safe operation.

ECIL, a public sector company under the Department of Atomic Energy, was set up mainly to do the control and instrumentation work at the indigenous Indian reactors, and has been running the systems at all the Indian-made Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. But this is the first time, it has tied up with a private company to set up control and instrumentation at foreign made reactors.

Only reactors designed overseas

The Kudankulam nuclear complex hosts Russian-designed 1,000 MW VVER reactors. The first two reactors in the complex, the only foreign-designed reactors in India right now, have been operational for more than a decade. Units 3 to 6 are under various stages of construction. Control and instrumentation of the first two units was tied to the overall reactor supply framework. With units 3 and 4, a process of indigenisation of these systems was started. An Indian company BGR Systems provided many of the specified equipment and sub-systems, under the overall architecture designed by the Russian suppliers. But for units 5 and 6, the consortium of ECIL and TEMA have been entrusted with end-to-end responsibility, including engineering, integration, testing and execution.

This is in keeping with the policy to incentivise greater role for Indian companies in the nuclear sector which is poised for a significant expansion following the recent change in the nuclear energy law which enables private players, including foreign entities through partnerships, to establish and operate nuclear power plants.

While a company like ECIL has long experience in this field, the presence of TEMA, an engineering and manufacturing company with a rapidly growing footprint in the nuclear sector, in the consortium would ensure enhanced capacity building in other Indian firms as well as they prepare for increased role in the nuclear industry. Founded by directors H K Sippy and Chetan Doshi, TEMA had recently been entrusted with the job of testing the equipment required for ‘upgrading of depleted heavy water’ at the PHWRs, a job that used to be carried out by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) till now.

“This is evidence of our TEMA’s excellent track record in the nuclear field, and a recognition that private companies like TEMA can deliver quality work with very high safety standards,” Narendra Rao, chief operating officer of the company, said.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Combining German aeronautical design with Indian metalworking expertise, the artefact represents cooperation, shared values and a strong, evolving partnership between the two nations, the officials said.

A wall-mountable silk kite crafted from one of India’s most prestigious textiles, Patola silk, and a custom pilot logbook made from high-quality leather are among the gifts presented to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his just-concluded visit to India.

The gifts include a hand-crafted brass replica of Chancellor Merz’s Diamond DA62 propeller aircraft created by skilled artisans in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad, an internationally renowned centre for metal craftsmanship, officials said on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) .

Finished with gold plating, the piece reflects a blend of precise technical processes and human artistry.

Inspired by an aircraft known for efficiency, safety, and advanced design, the replica symbolises forward-looking leadership and responsible governance. Combining German aeronautical design with Indian metalworking expertise, the artefact represents cooperation, shared values and a strong, evolving partnership between the two nations, the officials said.

The German leader was given a custom pilot logbook crafted from high-quality leather chosen for durability and graceful ageing. Featuring subtle gold embossing, it combines dignified aesthetics with functional elegance.

Produced in India by skilled craftsmen, the logbook reflects the country’s tradition of fine leatherwork adapted to contemporary design standards.

Emphasising consistency, refinement, and longevity, it symbolises precision, foresight, and meticulous effort — core values shared by aviation and leadership, officials said.

Mr. Merz was also given a wall-mountable silk kite crafted from Patola silk, one of India’s most prestigious textiles originating from Patan in Gujarat.

Woven using the rare double-ikat technique — where both warp and weft threads are resist-dyed before weaving — the fabric embodies exceptional precision, patience and foresight, producing perfectly aligned motifs visible on both sides.

The traditional geometric and floral patterns symbolise balance, continuity, and harmony. Shaped into a kite, the textile draws on India’s cultural association of kite flying with aspiration and freedom, transforming a once-ephemeral object into a lasting artefact of meaning.

The form also creates a subtle cultural dialogue between India and Germany, linking India’s reverence for time-honoured craftsmanship with Germany’s values of engineering excellence, structural clarity and respect for process, the officials said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headlines edited)

New Delhi, Tuesday marked a historic milestone in India’s public health journey as the country completed 15 years since its last reported case of wild poliovirus.

India’s transition from a polio hotspot to a global leader in immunisation is being hailed by experts as a triumph of political will and community-level execution.

In 2009, India accounted for 741 polio cases, representing 60 per cent of the global burden at the time. However, through an unprecedented scale-up of resources, the country reported zero cases in under two years. The last case was reported in 2011.

“Fifteen years after India recorded its last polio case, we are reminded of the extraordinary effort it took to reach this point. Frontline workers built trust in every community and the country delivered vaccines at a scale few thought possible,” said Dr Naveen Thacker, executive director of the International Paediatric Association and a recipient of the Goalkeeper Champion Award 2025.

He added that this commitment shows that eradication is achievable even under the most-challenging conditions.

The success of the campaign relied on a massive annual mobilisation where approximately 100 crore doses of the polio vaccine were delivered to 17.2 crore children.

This was achieved despite significant hurdles, including a population exceeding 100 crore, poor sanitation and the difficulty of reaching remote communities.

“Our polio-free status reflects sustained vigilance, strong health systems and active community participation through a well-designed campaign strategy. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare continues to ensure that no child is missed by prioritising last-mile immunisation, especially among mobile and high-risk populations. Frontline health workers and community partners play a vital role in building trust and addressing vaccine hesitancy,” the health ministry said.

These efforts are strengthened through technology-driven platforms, such as U-WIN, e-VIN and Safevac, which enhance planning, monitoring and service delivery.

“By integrating Jan Bhagidari with digital innovations, we remain firmly committed to sustain the polio-free status,” the ministry said.

Officials noted that the infrastructure built for polio, including high-quality disease surveillance and contact tracing, has now become the backbone of India’s broader health goals. The country’s routine immunisation coverage has subsequently climbed to more than 93 per cent.

However, health experts have warned against complacency. While the wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries, variant poliovirus outbreaks continue to emerge globally in areas with low immunisation coverage. These “variant” cases occur when the weakened vaccine virus circulates in under-immunised populations and evolves.

India is now playing a critical role in the final push for global eradication. Hyderabad-based Biological E is one of the only two manufacturers in the world producing the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 , a key tool in controlling these variant outbreaks.

“Immunisation remains our strongest protection for every child. This milestone should inspire the world to push forward and finish the job against polio everywhere,” Thacker said.

Since 2011, India has maintained its polio-free status through regular national and sub-national immunisation Days, mobilising hundreds of thousands of volunteers to ensure that every child under the age of five is protected.

The officials emphasised that India is well-positioned to support other countries by deploying technical experts and sharing operational strategies to ensure a polio-free world.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)