Author: Arijit Bose

New Delhi: In a bid to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, the Ministry of Textiles has launched Handloom Hackathon 2026 – “Weaving Innovation,” a nationwide challenge designed to encourage innovative solutions for India’s handloom industry. Organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) as part of the National Handloom Day 2026 celebrations, the initiative aims to bring together students, weavers, designers, technologists, entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers to address key challenges facing the sector through creative and technology-driven ideas. The Grand Finale will be held on August 1 at…

Hyderabad: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday reviewed the progress of AIIMS Bibinagar in Telangana, highlighting the Centre’s continued focus on expanding quality healthcare, medical education, and research across the country. Established under Phase VII of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), AIIMS Bibinagar was sanctioned in 2019, with construction beginning in 2022 at an estimated cost of ₹1,110.55 crore. The institute is steadily evolving into a major healthcare and medical education hub for the region. During the review meeting, Nadda said India’s healthcare…

New Delhi: A team of senior officers from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, led by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce,  Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, reviewed the ongoing Andhra Pradesh Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco Marketing Season 2025–26 in Hyderabad. The team held discussions with tobacco growers, manufacturers, exporters, dealers, trade associations and the Tobacco Board. The meeting reviewed the prevailing market situation and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of tobacco growers. Discussions focused on measures to accelerate procurement, facilitate exports and strengthen the…

New Delhi: Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground accompanied by the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese and the Premier of Victoria,  Jacinta Allan, for an event celebrating India-Australia sporting ties. Several Australian sporting legends, including  Steve Waugh and  Lisa Sthalekar, were present at the event. The visit underscored the growing importance of sports, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties as pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. At the event, the two Prime Ministers jointly released the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap which would promote cooperation in the…

Infrastructure Augmentation to Optimise Existing Assets, Support Fleet Expansion and Enhance Maintenance Capacity New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening locomotive maintenance infrastructure, Indian Railways has approved a project worth ₹175 crore for creation of additional homing facilities for 250 three phase electric locomotives at the High Horse Power (HHP) Diesel Shed, Raipur, under South East Central Railway (SECR). Homing refers to the assignment of a locomotive to a designated locomotive shed, which serves as its primary maintenance base. The homing shed is responsible for the locomotive’s scheduled maintenance,…

Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian highlights the need for a helpline for labourers with a proper record of their employment to help track incidents of bonded labour Submission of reports in all the cases as per the directions of the NHRC assured by the state Authorities assure compliance with Supreme Court directives and laws to address cases of bonded labour New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India heard 86 cases online of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across various districts of Haryana. Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian presided over…