While he was blessed with success in business, his life had a fair share of tragedies. Besides the loss of daughter Ambika at a very young age, he lost his son Angad Paul, who was Caparo Group’s CEO in 2015 and his wife Aruna in 2022.

From the bylanes of Jalandhar to a regular name in the annual ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, Lord Swraj Paul, who died on Thursday evening in London, was as one of the most well known NRI entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Born to Pyare Lal, who ran a small foundry used to make steel goods, including buckets and other farming equipment, Lord Paul was exposed to business early in his life much before he went on to establish UK-based Caparo Group, a diversified businesses entity with interests predominantly in design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of value-added steel and niche engineering products.

Born on February 18, 1931, he completed high school education at Jalandhar and Bachelors in Science from Punjab University in 1949. Then he went to the US to pursue his Bachelors & Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

After completing his studies at MIT, he returned to India to join the family business, Apeejay Surrendra Group — one of India’s oldest business conglomerates.

But as fate would have it, he relocated to the UK in 1966 in pursuit of treatment for his daughter Ambika who was suffering from leukemia. Unfortunately, she died aged four.

Later, set up the Ambika Paul Foundation as a charitable trust that went on to donate millions to promote the wellbeing of children and young people all over the world through education and health initiatives.

The Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo in London is one of the major beneficiaries of the foundation.

Lord Paul laid the foundation to set up Caparo in 1968 with headquarters in London and it went on to become one of the largest steel conversion and distribution businesses in the UK. Today, it has operations in the UK, India, the US, Canada, and the UAE with a turnover of over USD 1 billion.

While he was blessed with success in business, his life had a fair share of tragedies. Besides the loss of daughter Ambika at a very young age, he lost his son Angad Paul, who was Caparo Group’s CEO in 2015 and his wife Aruna in 2022.

The personal losses drove him to undertake more philanthropic endeavours in their memory.

After the death of his wife the Ambika Paul Foundation was renamed as Aruna and Ambika Paul Foundation to honour her memory and to recognise her support and contributions to the many causes which the foundation supported during her lifetime.

He founded the Indo-British Association in 1975 to promote better understanding between India and Britain and served as its Chairman. He was knighted by the British Queen in 1978 and became Lord Paul of Marylebone and a member of the House of Lords. He was sworn as a Privy Councilor in October 2009.

The House of Lords peer, Lord Paul was conferred with the prestigious civilian award Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1983.

In the Indian business landscape, late Lord Paul is also remembered for his hostile bids to take over Escorts Group and the DCM Group in the early 80s, which required the intervention of then government after legal battles.

He was a regular in the annual ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, this year he was ranked 81st with an estimated wealth of GBP 2 billion, largely derived from the steel and engineering multinational Caparo Group.

Despite his frailty in recent months, he had maintained his routine of attending the House of Lords. An active member of the Indian diaspora in the UK, his death leaves a void hard to be filled.

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)

Over 300 high school students from 64 countries have participated in the 10-day Olympiad hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

India is ensuring that technology is the priority for Viksit Bharat, Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, said at the opening ceremony of the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) held on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) in Mumbai.

“The participants should return to their country with new ideas, inspiration, and enriched thought processes,” Prof.. Sood said, referring to the Olympiad as a “science sport”.

Over 300 high school students from 64 countries have participated in the 10-day Olympiad hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

Astronomy is not only a study of the cosmos, Prof. Sood said in his inaugural speech, it is an ecosystem where extremely sensitive instruments involving computation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and more are used, offering many avenues to pursue in future.

This is the second time that India is hosting the IOAA, after the 2016 edition in Bhubaneswar. This year’s theme is ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, the “ancient Indian idea of world is family under the one sky”.

The future lies in the hands of young minds, solving real time problems, and India believes in international collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video message to the participants. “The next scientific breakthrough could be at the hands of these young minds, who knows?” Mr. Modi said, highlighting India’s achievements in the field of science.

Participants from Classes 10 to 12 are selected after a rigorous process to compete at the international level of the Olympiad. During the 10-day event, students have to appear in several challenging exams.

The dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included Ajit Kembhavi, former vice president of the International Astronomical Union. “There is a possibility that your entire professional journey could be shaped here as you will get inspired to do great things in life,” Mr. Kembhavi said, stressing on inspiration.

The IOAA was conceived in 2006 to meet the growing global interest in astronomy among high school students, with the first edition held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007.

According to the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, the IOAA’s curriculum is designed to challenge students in theoretical, observational, and data analyses.

“The questions should be fun and challenging. In a way, a best student should have something to think in every question. Secondly, students who are less prepared should get inspired to study better, and thirdly, the questions should make students go back and check why they couldn’t answer,“ Jayram Chengalur, Director, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

‘My family feels immense pride, a pride grounded in generations of faith, service, and resilience’, he said.

The UK’s Royal Navy has appointed its first-ever Hindu chaplain, the first non-Christian to be appointed for the official role of offering spiritual support to fellow naval officers based on the tenets of Hinduism.

Bhanu Attri, originally from Himachal Pradesh, took over his new role last week after undergoing a somewhat different course from other Navy cadets.

He went through six weeks of officer instruction, including sea survival with four weeks at sea aboard the warship HMS Iron Duke, and three weeks focused on the role of a military chaplain.

“To become the first-ever Hindu chaplain in the fleet is a profound honour,” said Attri.

“As a Hindu brought up in India, the chance to represent individuals from other diverse religions brings meaningful representation for the Hindu community and reflects the Navy’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and spiritual care for all,” said the 39-year-old.

“My family feels immense pride, a pride grounded in generations of faith, service, and resilience,” he said.

The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) welcomed the move after proposing Attri as fitting the criteria for the role: personal fitness both physical and mental, principled in faith and philosophy, reflective and pastoral; professional eligibility of education equivalent to Hindu scriptural degree level and post accreditation experience in leadership capacity, with a sound sense of spirituality and interfaith relations; and general outlook for integration into the British culture and having good English communicative skills.

“The training can be arduous, which requires medical fitness standards, ready for duty 24/7 at short notice,” said HCUK’s Anil Bhanot, Hindu Advisor to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“MoD careers are sometimes neglected by our Hindu youth and we will try and do more community meetings at temples to raise awareness. British Hindus have settled here from all corners of the world, and although our spiritual bhoomi (land) is India, our karmabhoomi is the United Kingdom and MoD represents our protective arm,” he said.

Attri was among 148 new officers among the so-called “leaders of tomorrow”, including warfare specialists, engineers, overseas and all cadets who joined from civilian life who completed their “Initial Officer Training” last week.

After up to 29 weeks of demanding instruction at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth, south-west England, they transformed from civilian to sailor and formally passed out at a BRNC ceremony in front of friends, family and senior naval officers.

“We live in a perilous world and as a service we must respond to the challenges to our nation’s security, also with confidence – and that means we need people like you that can offer leadership of the highest quality,” said Andrew Burns, Vice-Admiral and the Royal Navy’s senior operational commander who was the guest of honour at the ceremony.

“There is no greater commitment than to serve your country, and to lead others to do the same,” he said.

The training is designed to teach the basics of serving in the military, such as drill and uniform, through the fundamentals of leadership, seafaring, naval history and strategy.

In addition to extensive time in the classroom and on the parade ground, cadets head out on to Dartmoor to learn and develop leadership and teamwork skills, spend time at sea aboard an operational warship, and conduct training on specialist Vahana boats on the River Dart and in the English Channel.

“Commissioning into the Royal Navy is a moment none of us forget, and it has been a privilege to follow these officers through their training. What awaits is a life of duty and frontline service,” said Captain Andy Bray, Captain Britannia Royal Naval College.

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)

The Union Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojna portal on Monday (August 18, 2025). Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked first-time employees and employers to take advantage of the scheme. The Centre had said that the scheme, recently approved by Cabinet, will generate 3.5 crore jobs.

Dr. Mandaviya said all employers and first-time employees are covered under the scheme. He said people can avail incentives by registering on the portal or by uploading their Universal Account Number on the UMANG Application. Part A of the scheme is for first-time employees, and Part B is for employers. “Under Part A, a one-time incentive equivalent to an average of one month’s wages (Basic+DA) of up to ₹15,000 will be offered to first-time employees in two instalments,” Mr. Mandaviya said.

The employer, on the other hand, will get incentives under three slabs. For an employee with a salary of ₹10,000 per month, the employer will receive a one-time incentive of ₹1,000. For a salary between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000, the employer will receive ₹2,000. For a sum up to ₹30,000, the employer’s incentive will be ₹3,000. “The scheme will promote new job creation and support new employees,” the Minister said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

At 21 years of age, Krishangi Meshram is now the youngest solicitor in England and Wales, after graduating from The Open University (OU) at just 18.

Indian-origin law graduate Krishangi Meshram has made history as one of the youngest to become a solicitor in England. At 21 years of age, Meshram is now the youngest solicitor in England and Wales, after graduating from The Open University (OU) at just 18.

Along with the historical achievement, Meshram also had another milestone by getting featured in the Law Society Gazette’s August 1 copy.

Meshram, who hails from Mayapur in West Bengal, took an interest in law and started her journey at just 15, making an informed and thoughtful decision to enrol with OU in England’s Milton Keynes, as she wished for a UK degree but without having to leave her parents and young sister.

“As I had studied British qualifications, I was keen to complete my degree at a university in the UK. However, at only 15, I didn’t want to move away from my parents and younger sister. My family and I are also lucky enough to travel a lot, so I needed a study option that I could take with me on our adventures around the world. This is when I found out about the OU – it ticked all the boxes. I could utilise the open entry policy so I could start a degree without A Levels, I’d be studying at a UK university, where I could remain living at home and carry on travelling with my family,” Meshram was quoted as saying by the OU.

Mesharam decided to pursue law as she was looking for a degree that would provide “a breadth of transferable knowledge.” But along with it came other “valuable skills” the OU taught her, “from self-discipline to organisation.”

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree at the age of 18, Mesharam soon landed a remote job at a Singapore law firm, which helped her enrol as a lawyer in just three years.

“I’ve been working full-time since I graduated and am now finishing the qualifications needed to become a qualified lawyer,” she said.

As the youngest solicitor in England now, the young talent is now looking towards taking the next step in her career.

“My next step will be to finalise my specialism. I’m hoping to become a lawyer for businesses and private clients, helping them with important documents like wills and probate,” she said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta along with Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell and other select dignitaries from the Seattle city leadership joined the historic and landmark occasion.

The Indian tricolour was hoisted at Seattle’s iconic 605-feet-tall Space Needle on India’s 79th Independence Day, the first time that a foreign nation’s flag was raised at the popular American destination.

Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta along with Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell and other select dignitaries from the Seattle city leadership joined the historic and landmark occasion.

“No greater honour than this ! Raising the Tiranga on top of Seattle skyline at Space Needle,” Mr. Gupta said in a post on X, along with a video of the tricolour flying high atop the iconic Seattle monument with sprawling views of the city below.

Calling the commemoration a “historic first in Seattle”, the Consulate General of India in Seattle said the celebration underscored the contributions of the Indian-American diaspora in shaping the city’s journey as a tech hub in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Later, a community reception was hosted by the Consulate at the scenic Kerry Park, with India’s flag on top of the Space Needle in the backdrop.

A large number of Indian-American community members turned up to witness the historic sight, the Consulate said in a press release.

The reception was attended by several dignitaries including US Congressman Adam Smith, Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court Debra Stephens, Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho and Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation AP Diaz.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Smith welcomed the historic celebration, noting that the Indian tricolour’s hoisting atop the Space Needle is a tribute to the region’s diversity and the strong bonds between India and the Pacific Northwest.

The Space Needle, which was built in 1962, stands as a symbol of Seattle’s skyline and epitomises the U.S. Pacific Northwest region’s tech-driven future.

In a special gesture to honour India’s Independence Day in the Greater Seattle area, King County, which covers 39 cities, along with Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and Bellevue, issued official proclamations marking August 15 as India Day.

Separately, several iconic buildings across Seattle were also lit up in the Indian tricolours. These included the Lumen Stadium, T-Mobile Stadium, Westin, Seattle Great Wheel and Space Needle.

The Indian flag was also hoisted at the prestigious Tacoma Dome, Tacoma City Hall and at the Headquarters of Tacoma Police and Fire Departments, the Consulate said.

A vibrant cultural extravaganza featuring national anthems, along with dance performances showcasing the rich diversity of Indian art forms as well as a poetic recital by renowned artist and actor Piyush Mishra also enthralled those attending the special celebrations.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Hydrogen Train India Launch Date: India’s first hydrogen trainset is ready for its official launch. Recently, this train has cleared load tests and is set for final commissioning.

Hydrogen Train India, Hydrogen Train India Launch Date: India’s first hydrogen trainset is ready for its official launch. Recently, this train has cleared load tests and is set for final commissioning. The Ministry of Railways has plans to run 35 Hydrogen-powered trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage” on various heritage/hill routes.

Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the hydrogen train will push India ahead in its journey towards green transportation technology to support zero carbon emission goals as a clean energy source.

“The much-anticipated Hydrogen Trainset has successfully passed load tests and is progressing well. It will be rolled out shortly,” said U Subba Rao, General Manager, ICF on Friday.

Hydrogen Train India Route

The railways will conduct the field trials of first hydrogen trainset on 89-km-long Jind to Sonipat stations of Haryana. The stations fall under the administrative control of Delhi Division of Northern Railway (NR).

Sharing a 40-second video on X (formerly Twitter) on August 12, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India’s first hydrogen train is coming soon.

Hydrogen Train Engine India

Developed by the Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), India’s hydrogen-powered engine is set to be the most powerful in the world. While most nations have built hydrogen trains with capacities ranging from 500 to 600 horsepower (HP), India has achieved a breakthrough by creating an engine with a capacity of 1,200 horsepower (HP).

On August 12, in another post on X, the Ministry of Railways shared a 37-second video announcing: “For the first time in India a hydrogen-powered train is set for its final commissioning, a landmark that showcases India’s rise as a technological powerhouse, driving innovation on the global stage.” The video shows glimpses of both the train’s interior and exterior designs.

Hydrogen Train India News

India’s hydrogen train is slated to be the longest (10 coaches) and maximum-powered (2400 kW) hydrogen train in the world.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Not just his longest Independence Day speech at 103 minutes, this was PM Modi’s 12th address on this occasion and now he has given more consecutive addresses than former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who gave 11 consecutive addresses and 16 in total.

– PM Modi’s speech lasted for 1 hour and 43 minutes (103 minutes) marking his longest I-Day speech till date.

– In his address on the occasion of 79th Independence Day, PM Modi praised the wonders of Made in India in ‘Operation Sindoor’.

– The PM also announced the ambitious “Sudarshan Chakra Mission,” aimed at bolstering India’s national security over the next decade.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Friday. His speech lasted for 1 hour and 43 minutes (103 minutes) marking his longest I-Day speech till date. 

Not just his longest Independence Day speech, this was PM Modi’s 12th address on this occasion and now he has given more consecutive addresses than former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who gave 11 consecutive addresses and 16 in total.

PM Modi Independence Day Speech – Highlights 

1-  In his address on the occasion of 79th Independence Day, PM Modi praised the wonders of Made in India in ‘Operation Sindoor’. 

“We have seen the wonders of Made in India in Operation Sindoor. Even the enemy was shocked at the kind of ammunition that was destroying them within seconds. Had we not been self-reliant, would we have been able to carry out Operation Sindoor at such a level? In the last 10 years, we set our target to become self-reliant in the defence sector, and today we are seeing the results,” he said. 

2- “We are all seeing the feat in the space sector and we are filled with pride. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from ISS and in the coming few days, he is coming to India. In space, we are preparing for Gaganyaan, as Aatmanirbhar Bharat. We are also working towards building our own Space Station. I am proud that more than 300 startups in the country are working just in the space sector. Among those 300 startups, thousands of youth are working with full capability. This is the strength of the youth of our country and this is our trust in th youth of our country,” he added. 

3- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ‘High-Power Demography Mission’ and said, “I would like to alert the nation about a concern, a challenge. Under a well-thought-out conspiracy, the country’s demography is being changed, seeds of a new crisis are being sown. Infiltrators are snatching away the livelihood of the youth of my country. Infiltrators are targeting the sisters and daughters of my country. This will not be tolerated. These infiltrators mislead innocent tribals and capture their land. The country will not tolerate this.”

4- PM Modi also announced next-generation GST reforms and stated, “This Diwali, I am going to make it a double Diwali for you… Over the past eight years, we have undertaken a major reform in GST… We are bringing next-generation GST reforms. This will reduce the tax burden across the country”

5- “Today, when economic selfishness is rising day by day in the global situation, it is the need of the hour that we don’t sit crying over those crises. Himmat ke saath apni lakeer ko lambi karein…If we take that path, no selfishness will not able to entangle us,” he said. 

6- The Prime Minister also launched a scheme worth Rs. 1 lakh crore for the youth of India. 

“My country’s youth, today is 15th August, and on this very day, we are launching a scheme worth Rs 1 lakh crore for the youth of our country. From today, the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana is being implemented… Under this scheme, young men and women getting their first job in the private sector will receive Rs 15,000 from the government. Companies that create more employment opportunities will also be given incentive amounts. The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana will create nearly 3.5 crore new employment opportunities for the youth,” he elaborated. 

Sudarshan Chakra Mission

The PM also announced the ambitious “Sudarshan Chakra Mission,” aimed at bolstering India’s national security over the next decade.

Emphasizing self-reliance, PM Modi stated that by 2035, the nation seeks to expand, strengthen, and modernize its security framework, drawing inspiration from Lord Shri Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra.

(with ANI inputs)

source/content: zeenews.india.com (headline edited)

India has secured the third position globally in building general dry cargo vessels for the European short sea trade, as per private data cited by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal.

He credited this achievement to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s “bold Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047”. He highlighted the transformation of India’s shipbuilding ambitions into globally recognised outcomes. He emphasised that through strategic reforms and skilling initiatives, the government realises the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.”

This development underscores India’s growing prominence in the global maritime sector.

The Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 serves as a comprehensive framework for port infrastructure, logistics, shipbuilding, and waterways development through 150 targeted initiatives.

These are aligned under 10 themes, including sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration. Key indicators of progress over the past three years include an increase in Major Port capacity from 1,598 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) in 2022 to 1,630 MMTPA in 2024, a reduction in Vessel Turn Around Time (TAT) from 53 to 48 hours, and a rise in Ship Berth Day Output from 16,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) to 18,900 MT. Capital expenditure by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways rose by 37% to Rs. 7,571 crore (US$ 882.50 million) in FY24, with Gross Budget Support (GBS) increasing by 54% to Rs. 1,687 crore (US$ 196.64 million).

In the same period, around 75 port development projects were awarded aimed at enhancing cargo capacity and operational efficiency.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.

source/content: ibef.org (headline edited)

According to the official, Stage 1, initiated in May 2024, involved the removal of cab partition doors and the gradual covering of the driving console, while the train operator remained present. in the cab.

The Pink Line from Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar will go driverless, making Delhi Metro one of the largest driverless metro networks in the world, according to a DMRC official.

Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line, which runs between Janakpuri West and Botanical Garden, has successfully achieved full compliance with Unattended Train Operations (UTO), marking a major milestone in the city’s journey towards automation, the official said.

“The whole fleet of trains on the Magenta Line runs on UTO now,” he said.

The Unattended Train Operations were initiated by the Delhi Metro in the year 2020. The transition to UTO (driverless) has been carried out in phased stages, all approved by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).

According to the official, Stage 1, initiated in May 2024, involved the removal of cab partition doors and the gradual covering of the driving console, while the train operator remained present in the cab.

“By August 2024, in Stage 2, the train operator was allowed to be present anywhere inside the train,” he said.

Stage 3A, also in August 2024, reduced the presence of train operators to every alternate train, leading to final Stage 3B in May 2025, where the operators were completely withdrawn, marking the beginning of full-fledged driverless operations on the line.

Delhi Metro has now also started implementing UTO on the Pink Line – Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar (Line-7).

He said the automation process began in March 2025, and by June 2025, the Pink Line had attained Stage 2. It is expected to become fully driverless within the next 3 to 4 months.

“With UTO implementation on both the Magenta and Pink lines, Delhi Metro will be amongst one of the largest driverless metro networks in the world, with 97 km of fully automated corridors out of its total 395 km network in Delhi-NCR,” he said.

This transformation represents a significant leap in urban mobility as the advanced system ensures high-frequency, punctual, and safe services while minimising manual intervention, he said.

The automation not only enhances operational efficiency but also promises a seamless and reliable travel experience for commuters, the official added.

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)