Bihar’s total eclipsed the previous record of 506 for 2, set by Tamil Nadu against the same opposition in the 2022–23 season, and claimed the No. 1 spot on the all-time list with a ‘world record’ innings score.

India’s domestic cricket witnessed a batting onslaught on Wednesday as Bihar shattered the world record for the highest team total in a single List A match, piling up a staggering 574 for 6 against Arunachal Pradesh in a Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Group fixture.

At the heart was 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored 190 off just 84 balls to script a performance for the ages.

Bihar’s total eclipsed the previous record of 506 for 2, set by Tamil Nadu against the same opposition in the 2022–23 season, and claimed the No. 1 spot on the all-time list with a ‘world record’ innings score.

While the collective effort was formidable, it was Suryavanshi’s fearless assault that laid the foundation for the total, ably supported by Piyush Kumar Singh with 77, wicketkeeper-batter Ayush Loharuka with 116, and skipper Sakibul Gani with 128.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Bihar surged ahead during the powerplay, led by Suryavanshi, whose aggression made him unstoppable.

The teenage opener brought up his century in just 36 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in List A cricket.

By the time he was dismissed for 190 off 84 balls, which included 15 sixes and 16 fours, Bihar had already raced past 260 runs inside 27 overs.

En route to his knock, Suryavanshi broke multiple records. He became the youngest player to score a century in List A cricket and also surpassed AB de Villiers’ mark for the fastest 150 in the format.

India’s domestic cricket witnessed a batting onslaught on Wednesday as Bihar shattered the world record for the highest team total in a single List A match, piling up a staggering 574 for 6 against Arunachal Pradesh in a Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Group fixture.

At the heart was 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored 190 off just 84 balls to script a performance for the ages.

Bihar’s total eclipsed the previous record of 506 for 2, set by Tamil Nadu against the same opposition in the 2022–23 season, and claimed the No. 1 spot on the all-time list with a ‘world record’ innings score.

While the collective effort was formidable, it was Suryavanshi’s fearless assault that laid the foundation for the total, ably supported by Piyush Kumar Singh with 77, wicketkeeper-batter Ayush Loharuka with 116, and skipper Sakibul Gani with 128.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Bihar surged ahead during the powerplay, led by Suryavanshi, whose aggression made him unstoppable.

The teenage opener brought up his century in just 36 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in List A cricket.

By the time he was dismissed for 190 off 84 balls, which included 15 sixes and 16 fours, Bihar had already raced past 260 runs inside 27 overs.

En route to his knock, Suryavanshi broke multiple records. He became the youngest player to score a century in List A cricket and also surpassed AB de Villiers’ mark for the fastest 150 in the format.

His innings came only three days after his failure in the final of the U19 Asia Cup against Pakistan in the UAE, making the turnaround all the more remarkable.

Following Suryavanshi’s departure, the responsibility of maintaining the momentum fell on Ayush Loharuka.

The wicketkeeper-batter accelerated sharply after reaching his fifty in 35 balls and was eventually dismissed for a whirlwind 116 off 56 deliveries.

Every bowling option Arunachal Pradesh tried met the same fate, with the ball repeatedly disappearing into the stands or being pierced through the covers.

After Loharuka’s dismissal, Gani took charge alongside Bipin Saurabh. Gani’s assault was even more explosive as he reached his century in just 32 balls, the fastest by an Indian in List A cricket, breaking Anmolpreet Singh’s record of a 35-ball hundred set in 2024 against the same opposition.

Gani went on to smash 10 fours and 12 sixes, while Loharuka had earlier struck 11 boundaries and eight maximums.

Gani and Saurabh ensured that Bihar breached the 500-run mark in record time, achieving the milestone on the fourth delivery of the 46th over.

Bihar closed their innings at an astonishing 574 for 6 at the end of 50 overs. At a venue that had already witnessed 49 fours and 38 sixes, even Loharuka’s blistering century was somewhat overshadowed by the unreal batting of Suryavanshi and Gani.

The global list of the quickest hundreds in the format continues to be topped by Jake Fraser-McGurk, who struck a 29-ball century for South Australia against Tasmania in the 2023–24 season, followed by AB de Villiers’ 31-ball hundred for South Africa against West Indies in Johannesburg.

With centuries from the troika of Suryavanshi, Gani and Loharuka, Bihar not only overwhelmed minnows Arunachal Pradesh but also rewrote the record books on the opening day of the 50-over domestic tournament.

The sustained, brutal onslaught against an attack described as pedestrian in quality ensured that what might have been a routine Plate Group encounter instead became a landmark moment in List A cricket history.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

These are equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes, indigenously developed anti-submarine rockets and shallow-water sonar, enabling effective detection and engagement of underwater threats.

The Indian Navy on Monday (December 22, 2025) received Anjadip, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

The delivery took place in Chennai, marking another significant step in India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.

The Navy informed that the ASW SWC project is being executed under a Public-Private Partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli. The vessels have been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), demonstrating the success of collaborative defence manufacturing in the country.

Largest naval warships

At approximately 77 metres in length, the ASW SWCs are the largest Indian naval warships to be propelled by waterjets. They are equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes, indigenously developed anti-submarine rockets and shallow-water sonar, enabling effective detection and engagement of underwater threats. These platforms will significantly enhance the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability, coastal surveillance and mine-laying operations, the Navy added.

Anjadip is named after Anjadip Island off the coast of Karwar in Karnataka and is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a Petya-class corvette that was decommissioned in 2003. The naming underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its extensive maritime domain.

With this delivery, GRSE has achieved the rare feat of delivering five warships to the Indian Navy in a single year. Anjadip is the 115th warship built by the shipyard and the 77th delivered to the Navy. The vessel was accepted by Rear Admiral Gautam Marwaha, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Eastern Naval Command.

Earlier in 2025, GRSE delivered the Advanced Guided Missile Frigate Himgiri, the first two ASW SWCs Arnala and Androth, and the Survey Vessel (Large) Ikshak, all of which have since been commissioned.

Fitted with an indigenous 30 mm Naval Surface Gun and boasting over 80% indigenous content, Anjadip exemplifies the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision and the growing strength of India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, the Navy said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

India Optel and Safran will jointly manufacture two key systems widely used in artillery guns, missiles, radars, anti-drone applications; Defence Ministry says the venture will reduce dependency on imports.

In a major step under the Make-in-India programme, India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Navratna defence public sector undertaking (DPSU), signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defence, a French company, on Monday (December 22, 2025) for the production of two high-precision, combat-proven defence systems in India.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the systems covered under the agreement are SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight. SIGMA 30N is widely used across artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, while CM3-MR is designed for artillery guns and anti-drone applications, significantly enhancing accuracy and operational effectiveness on the battlefield.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Tushar Tripathi, Chairman and Managing Director of India Optel Limited, and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defence Global Business Unit at Safran Electronics & Defense. The signing took place in the presence of Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), Government of India.

The Ministry added that this collaboration builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies in January 2024 and reaffirms their commitment to jointly manufacture and support advanced defence systems in India. Under the partnership, IOL will undertake manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and complete life-cycle support of the systems, ensuring they meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army.

Enhances accuracy

The partnership will also contribute to enhancing the operational readiness, accuracy and performance of the Army’s land-based weapon systems.

The agreement marks an important step towards reducing dependency on imports, promoting technology transfer and achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies, in line with the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Ministry added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The Bill repeals the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.

President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, clearing the way for a new legal framework for India’s civil nuclear sector.

A government notification said that the President granted assent to the SHANTI bill on Saturday. The Bill was passed by Parliament during the Winter Session.

The SHANTI Bill subsumes all existing laws dealing with the civil nuclear sector. With this, the government has sought to replace a fragmented legal structure with a single statute governing civilian nuclear activities in the country.

President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, clearing the way for a new legal framework for India’s civil nuclear sector.

A government notification said that the President granted assent to the SHANTI bill on Saturday. The Bill was passed by Parliament during the Winter Session.

The SHANTI Bill subsumes all existing laws dealing with the civil nuclear sector. With this, the government has sought to replace a fragmented legal structure with a single statute governing civilian nuclear activities in the country.

In doing so, the Bill repeals the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.

The government has maintained that these two laws had proved to be an impediment in the growth of the civil nuclear sector in India, particularly in attracting wider participation and investment.

One of the central changes introduced by the SHANTI Bill is the opening up of the civil nuclear sector to private players.

The law enables private companies and joint ventures to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants under a license from the government.

Until now, nuclear power generation in India has largely remained the domain of state-owned entities.

The new framework allows private participation while retaining licensing and regulatory control with the Centre.

While allowing private companies to enter nuclear power generation, the law draws clear boundaries on activities that will remain with the government.

It states that mining of uranium and thorium, enrichment, isotopic separation, reprocessing of spent fuel, high-level radioactive waste management and heavy water production will remain exclusively with the central government or government-owned entities.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, best known for designing the world’s tallest statue — the Statue of Unity in Gujarat — passed away late on Wednesday night at his residence in Noida, his family confirmed. He was 100 and had been suffering from age-related ailments.

Confirming the demise, his son Anil Sutar said in a statement shared with the media, “It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on December 17 at midnight at our residence.”

Born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village of Dhule district in present-day Maharashtra, Sutar hailed from a humble background and displayed a keen interest in sculpting from a very young age. His passion and talent later earned him a gold medal from the prestigious JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai.

Over a prolific career spanning several decades, Sutar created numerous iconic sculptures that adorn public spaces across the country. Among his most celebrated works are the statue of Mahatma Gandhi seated in a meditative pose and the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at the Parliament complex in New Delhi.

His magnum opus, the Statue of Unity, was built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, and stands as a global landmark symbolising national unity.

In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian art and culture, Sutar was conferred the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. More recently, he was honoured with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the highest civilian award of the state.

With his passing, the nation has lost a master sculptor whose creations will continue to inspire generations.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The 1937 work set a new auction high for Tagore at AstaGuru’s Historic Masterpieces sale.

Rabindranath Tagore’s 1937 masterpiece, “From Across the Dark”, has fetched the record amount for the artist at Rs 10.73 crore at AstaGuru’s recently concluded “Historic Masterpieces” auction.

The auction, running from December 14-17, registered 100 per cent sell-out rate with all 87 lots sold, fetching a sale value of more than Rs 163.65 crore. The top lot at the auction was Tyeb Mehta’s “Untitled (Gesture)” that sold for approximately Rs 53.54 crore.

Tagore’s work reflects his deep engagement with themes of darkness, light, grief, and consolation. “This work holds extraordinary historical and emotional resonance. Painted in June 1937 during the artist’s final and most creatively sustained sojourn in Almora, it reflects the introspective, atmospheric style characteristic of his late period. The imagery, a solitary figure seated low in darkness and another reaching out from the shadows, embodies the psychological intensity of this phase, shaped by age, solitude, and long acquaintance with personal loss,” the auction house said in a statement.

Other prominent artists who created personal records at an auction include Krishen Khanna, Sadanand K Bakre, and Walter Langhammer.

Khanna’s biblical theme engagement titled “The Last Supper” went under the hammer for more than Rs 10.22 crore. In his stunning interpretation, Khanna adds his distinct humanist and expressionist sensibility to one of the most iconic scenes in Western art.

A world record was also achieved for Bakre with a work titled “Monalisa” which sold for over Rs 2.30 crore. Executed in 1961, this rare figurative work occupies a distinctive position within Bakre’s predominantly abstract and landscape-driven oeuvre.

A luminous coastal panorama capturing old Bombay by Langhammer was sold for over Rs 56.96 lakh, the highest price ever achieved for a work by the artist.

“Featuring landmark works by pioneering modern Indian artists, the auction included several pieces appearing at auction for the first time.

“The strong response from collectors reaffirms the growing interest for modernist works that are new to the market and distinguished by exceptional provenance. The achievement of these records emphatically underscores AstaGuru’s dedication to showcasing the finest examples of Indian modernism,” Manoj Mansukhani, director, Marketing at AstaGuru Auction House, said.

The line-up also showcased works by Indian modernists including Manjit Bawa, J Swaminathan, F N Souza, Jamini Roy, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Somnath Hore, Ram Kumar, K H Ara, Himmat Shah, and Ganesh Pyne.

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)

Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Army has stepped up efforts to restore damaged infrastructure in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, focusing on reviving critical road connectivity in the worst-hit regions.

An Engineer Task Force of the Indian Army, working jointly with the Sri Lankan Army and the Sri Lankan Road Development Authority, has begun preparatory activities at key bridge sites in Chilaw and Kilinochchi in the Jaffna region. The work will pave the way for the installation of Bailey bridges to reconnect disrupted transport routes.

Sharing details of the ongoing mission, the Indian Army said groundwork is in progress for launching Bailey bridges that will help re-establish road access in cyclone-affected areas. The initiative is part of India’s broader humanitarian assistance efforts launched soon after the cyclone struck.

Earlier this week, the Engineer Task Force — comprising 48 personnel — was airlifted to Sri Lanka on an emergency basis to provide immediate engineering support. The team’s core mandate is to restore vital lines of communication by repairing and rebuilding damaged roads and bridges.

The task force includes highly trained bridging specialists, surveyors and watermanship experts, supported by personnel skilled in operating heavy earth-moving machinery, drones and unmanned systems. This mix of expertise enables swift and accurate operations even in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.

To support the mission, four sets of Bailey bridges were transported to Sri Lanka aboard Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. The contingent is also equipped with pneumatic boats, outboard motors, HESCO bags and advanced tools such as heavy-lift drones and remotely operated boats, enhancing its ability to respond to complex ground conditions.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army has begun winding up its field hospital at Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, as local healthcare services have resumed normal operations. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said in a social media update that the 78-member medical team will return to India on December 14 following the reopening of the Mahiyanganaya General Hospital.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka also highlighted India’s continued engagement, noting that the High Commissioner visited the field hospital along with the Governor of Uva Province, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka during the crisis.

India’s rapid deployment of engineering and medical assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu reflects its resolve to stand by Sri Lanka during natural disasters and reinforces strong regional humanitarian cooperation.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the December 15 launch of the 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 satellite, one of the heaviest commercial payloads it has handled. Developed by US-based AST SpaceMobile, the communications satellite will be lifted into orbit aboard India’s most powerful rocket, the LVM3. The spacecraft, which arrived in India on October 19, is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite licensed in the United States.

AST SpaceMobile said the satellite will carry the largest commercial phased array ever deployed in LEO, spanning nearly 2,400 square feet—about 3.5 times the size of earlier BlueBird models and capable of delivering ten times more data capacity. The mission marks yet another milestone in India–US space cooperation.

This launch follows the successful July liftoff of NISAR, the $1.5-billion joint Earth-observation mission between NASA and ISRO. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan had highlighted NISAR as the costliest satellite ever realised globally, developed in partnership with NASA and JPL, and placed into orbit using India’s GSLV launcher. The 2,392-kg satellite is designed to provide high-resolution scans of Earth’s terrain and ice sheets every 12 days using advanced SweepSAR technology.

The upcoming BlueBird-6 mission is being executed by New Space India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. The LVM3, a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle, has recently demonstrated its capabilities by deploying India’s 4.4-tonne CMS-3 satellite on November 2. Capable of carrying up to 8,000 kg to LEO and 4,000 kg to GTO, the LVM3 continues to enhance India’s standing in the global commercial launch market.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

India’s iconic festival of lights, Deepavali, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), hosted for the first time in India at the Red Fort, New Delhi.

“Deepavali commemorates the victory of good over evil, the triumph of light, and the unity and diversity of the Indian diaspora around the world, as well as all those who appreciate Indian culture. In the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the Indian belief that the whole world is one family — this festival celebrates our shared identity as a global family,” said Vivek Agarwal, Secretary, Union Ministry of Culture.

The session, chaired by Vishal V Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO, runs from December 8 to 13. Delegates from nearly 80 countries are examining 67 nominations that showcase traditions, practices, and cultural expressions cherished globally.

Hailing the inclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, “People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival’s global popularity even further. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.”

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the recognition as “a recognition of the festival’s immense cultural, religious and spiritual significance and of its role in bringing people together.”

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan welcomed the global acknowledgement, calling it a moment of national pride. In a social media post, he said Deepavali “is not merely a festival, but a civilisational phenomenon that unites the nation and resonates across the world.”

With Deepavali’s inclusion, India now has 16 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Earlier, India’s 15 elements included Ramlila, Vedic chanting, Kutiyattam, Ramman, Chhau, Kalbelia, Mudiyettu, Buddhist chanting of Ladakh, Manipur’s Sankirtana, the Thatheras’ metal craft, yoga, Nawrouz, Kumbh Mela, Kolkata’s Durga Puja, and Gujarat’s garba.

Deepavali has been inscribed under the “Social practices, rituals and festive events” domain. The inscription formally recognises it as a living cultural tradition of global value, affirming the need to safeguard associated rituals and practices for future generations while enhancing the festival’s international visibility and strengthening India’s cultural profile worldwide.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Andhra Pradesh is set to spearhead India’s solar manufacturing revolution with the establishment of the country’s first integrated 6 GW solar ingot and wafer production facility in Anakapalli district. The project, born out of a Memorandum of Understanding signed at a recent partnership summit, has been approved by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB).

ReNew Photovoltaics, a subsidiary of ReNew Energy Global PLC, will invest Rs 3,990 crore to set up a greenfield plant at Rambilli in Anakapalli. The facility will be India’s first commercial-scale integrated ingot-wafer manufacturing unit, producing critical components for solar cells and modules.

The SIPB, chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, approved the proposal on Thursday, which is now slated for Cabinet approval next week. Once operational, the plant will reduce India’s dependence on imported solar components, particularly from China, supporting the nation’s ambitious target of 300 GW of solar capacity by 2030.

The state-of-the-art facility will be built on approximately 130–140 acres of land, which has already been identified for development. The project is expected to be completed by March 2026, with commercial production commencing by January 2028.

The plant will create around 1,200 high-skilled and semi-skilled jobs, and its operations will require a continuous power supply of 95 MW along with 10 million litres of water. The initiative is supported under the Government of India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar manufacturing, underscoring the push towards self-reliance in renewable energy.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)