15, Jul 2026
India’s First Solar-Powered Water Purification Van ‘JAL-YAAN’ Brings Hope for Clean Drinking Water Access
July 15: A new milestone in India’s journey towards water security has been achieved with the launch of ‘JAL-YAAN’, the country’s first compact, solar-integrated, self-powered multi-source water purification van developed by CSIR-CSMCRI in collaboration with Rite Water Solutions.
Designed as a mobile clean water solution, JAL-YAAN aims to provide safe drinking water to communities, particularly in areas where access to reliable water purification facilities remains a challenge.
The innovative van combines advanced purification technology with solar power, allowing it to operate independently while treating water from multiple sources. Its compact and self-powered design makes it suitable for use in remote locations, emergency situations, and regions affected by water quality concerns.
The development highlights the role of scientific innovation in addressing one of the most important challenges — ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water for all. By using renewable energy, JAL-YAAN also promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly water management solutions.
The collaboration between CSIR-CSMCRI and Rite Water reflects the importance of combining research expertise with industry capabilities to create practical solutions for society. The technology is expected to support rural communities, disaster relief operations, and areas requiring quick deployment of clean water facilities.
With growing concerns over water availability and quality, initiatives like JAL-YAAN represent a step towards building a more sustainable and resilient water ecosystem in India.
The launch of this innovative purification van marks a significant achievement in bringing advanced technology closer to communities and strengthening efforts towards universal access to safe drinking water.
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- By Neel Achary
15, Jul 2026
Indian Railways Rolls Out Eight Key Reforms to Modernise Operations and Boost Logistics
July 15: Indian Railways has introduced eight major reforms aimed at transforming freight transportation, strengthening logistics operations, and improving overall efficiency across the railway network.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the reforms under the ‘52 Reforms in 52 Weeks’ initiative, which focuses on bringing structural and procedural improvements to railway operations. With the latest announcements, 17 reforms have been implemented under the initiative this year.
The newly introduced measures are designed to simplify processes, improve supply chain management, and create better opportunities for industries to use railway services.
A major highlight of the reforms is the introduction of a container-based system for transporting fly ash. The new system will help reduce dust pollution, ensure cleaner handling, and improve transportation efficiency by enabling direct loading and specialised unloading facilities.
The Railways has also revised fertiliser transportation procedures, allowing containers to be unloaded based on demand instead of holding an entire rake at a single location. This change is expected to improve logistics flexibility and ensure smoother distribution.
In another important step, oil companies will now have the option to purchase or lease specialised railway wagons for transporting petroleum products. The initiative aims to reduce transportation costs, improve supply chain planning, and promote greater movement of goods through rail networks.
The freight policy for foodgrains, flour, and pulses has also been simplified with the introduction of a per tonne-per-kilometre rate structure. The revised system will make transportation easier and encourage containerised movement of essential commodities.
The Ministry of Railways said these reforms are part of its larger vision to create a modern, efficient, and industry-friendly railway system. The initiatives are expected to strengthen freight capacity, improve logistics connectivity, and support India’s economic growth.
Through continuous reforms and technology-driven improvements, Indian Railways is working towards building a more efficient transport network that benefits passengers, businesses, and the nation’s overall development.
15, Jul 2026
ManageEngine Completes the Certificate Life Cycle Management Loop With CA-Agnostic, Zero-Touch Automation
Cairo, Egypt, July 15 – ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corporation and a leading provider of enterprise IT management and security solutions, today announced post-deployment automation for TLS certificates in Key Manager Plus, its certificate life cycle and machine identity management solution. Key Manager Plus now automates the final stages of certificate renewal, pushing certificates to the target server, running configured scripts, restarting dependent services, and notifying stakeholders, so the whole certificate life cycle runs without manual intervention.
Historically, most organizations did not have much incentive to automate certificate management. Even the ones that did adopt automation workflows limited it to discovery, periodic expiration alerts, and in some instances, automated renewals. That changed when the CA/Browser Forum voted to reduce the maximum validity of public TLS certificates, phasing down from the legacy 398-day validity period to a 200-day period in March 2026 (current cadence), which will drop to 100 days by March 2027, and finally 47 days by March 2029.
“We’re going from under 200 certificates to over 2,000, across a lot of domains, different server setups, credentials and post-deployment actions for nearly all of it. We’ve had to dedicate significant engineering time to certificate management alone since the change to 200 days. With the 47-day certificate renewals coming up, automation is the only way we can keep up, and Key Manager Plus’ CA-agnostic, certificate life cycle management has helped us automate the whole thing,” said Jonathan Choiniere, infrastructure manager at RevSpring, a payment solutions provider based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Automating the Last Mile of Certificate Renewal
Getting the certificate live is the last step in the renewal process, and this post-deployment task has primarily been handled manually by many teams. While this works when teams are renewing one certificate a year, as certificate lifespans shrink and the same steps repeat roughly eight times as often, manual errors become more likely and the cost of an outage can run into the millions.
“Certificate renewal is rarely the hard part. The work that piles up on teams is what comes after it, at scale: pushing certificates to the server, restarting the services, and confirming they actually went live. End-to-end automation is what turns a 47-day renewal cycle from a scramble into something that runs on its own. With Key Manager Plus, we are eliminating the last manual step in the life cycle management loop,” said Vasudevan Seshadri, director of product management at ManageEngine.
Quantifying the 47-Day Shift
To help organizations assess their own exposure to the reduced certificate validity mandate, ManageEngine has also released a 47-day TLS impact calculator. It lets enterprises quantify what the mandate means for them based on three factors: the size of their certificate estate, their current renewal labor, and their outage exposure. From there, it compares those numbers against what they will look like once their TLS certificate life cycle is fully automated. That automation is what Key Manager Plus delivers, and it runs identically whether teams deploy on-premises or in the cloud.
15, Jul 2026
World Youth Skills Day: Empowering Young Talent for a Shared Future
By:- Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North & East.
“This World Youth Skills Day, the theme, ‘Skills for a Shared Future,’ reinforces the important role employers play in preparing young people for the future. Beyond creating jobs, businesses have the opportunity to build skills, confidence and real-world experience that help bridge the gap between education and industry.
At McDonald’s India – North & East, we believe a first job is more than just employment—it is the foundation for lifelong learning. With nearly 80% of our workforce under the age of 24, we are committed to helping young people develop workplace and life skills that stay with them throughout their careers. Through McDonald’s for Youth, we have empowered more than 2,500 young people with meaningful employment and structured on-the-job learning, while investing over 90,000 hours every year in developing our managers to coach and mentor them. As India progresses towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, empowering youth with industry-relevant skills will be key to building an inclusive, future-ready workforce.”
15, Jul 2026
NSE, Augmont Partner to Strengthen India’s Electronic Gold Receipt Ecosystem
July 15: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has partnered with Augmont to strengthen India’s Electronic Gold Receipt (EGR) ecosystem, marking a significant step towards developing a more transparent and organised gold market.
The partnership aims to encourage wider adoption of Electronic Gold Receipts, providing investors with a modern and efficient way to hold and trade gold through digital platforms backed by physical gold.
The initiative is expected to improve transparency, enhance price discovery, and create greater participation in the formal gold market. It will also help bridge the gap between traditional gold ownership and emerging financial market solutions.
Electronic Gold Receipts offer investors the convenience of digital ownership while reducing the challenges associated with storing physical gold. The platform-based approach is designed to provide a secure, efficient, and accessible option for individuals and institutions interested in gold investments.
The collaboration between NSE and Augmont is expected to benefit various stakeholders, including investors, jewellers, traders, and other participants in the gold value chain, by supporting a more structured and transparent trading ecosystem.
The move reflects the growing efforts to modernise India’s gold market and strengthen the role of technology in creating efficient financial solutions. The partnership is expected to contribute towards wider acceptance of digital gold instruments and support the formalisation of gold trading in India.
15, Jul 2026
Andhra Pradesh Backs PPP Model for Ramayapatnam Port, Cites Growth and Development Benefits
July 15: The Andhra Pradesh government has reiterated its support for operating Ramayapatnam Port under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, stating that the approach will help accelerate infrastructure development and improve the state’s maritime growth prospects.
Officials said the PPP framework will enable the integration of government support with private sector expertise, bringing advanced technology, efficient management practices, and greater investment into port operations.
The government highlighted that Ramayapatnam Port is a key strategic project aimed at improving cargo movement, strengthening logistics networks, and supporting industries across the region. The port is expected to create new opportunities for trade, commerce, and employment while enhancing Andhra Pradesh’s position in the maritime sector.
Authorities said private participation in infrastructure projects helps ensure faster development, better operational efficiency, and improved services while contributing to long-term economic growth.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to developing world-class infrastructure and creating a business-friendly environment. The development of Ramayapatnam Port under the PPP model is expected to support industrial expansion and boost economic activity in Andhra Pradesh.
15, Jul 2026
Northeast Set to Become India’s Next Innovation Powerhouse: NITI Aayog Officials
July 15: The Northeast region has the potential to emerge as India’s next major innovation hub, according to NITI Aayog officials, who highlighted the area’s growing strengths in technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Officials said the region’s young workforce, rich natural resources, diverse culture, and strategic importance provide a strong foundation for building an innovation-driven economy. With the right support systems, the Northeast can become a key contributor to India’s growth and development journey.
NITI Aayog emphasised the importance of strengthening research and development, promoting startups, improving digital connectivity, and creating an ecosystem that encourages local talent to develop innovative solutions.
The region has already been witnessing growth in areas such as technology, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship. Greater collaboration between government agencies, industries, educational institutions, and local communities can further accelerate this transformation.
Officials noted that empowering young entrepreneurs and expanding opportunities for innovation will play a crucial role in unlocking the Northeast’s full potential.
The focus on innovation-led development aligns with India’s broader vision of inclusive growth, where every region contributes to the country’s economic progress. With continued investment and support, the Northeast is expected to emerge as an important centre for innovation, enterprise, and sustainable development.
15, Jul 2026
Faith Overcomes Monsoon Challenges as Char Dham Yatra Draws Record Devotee Rush
July 15: The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand continues to witness a remarkable surge of devotion, with lakhs of pilgrims visiting the revered Himalayan shrines despite challenging monsoon conditions and heavy rainfall in several parts of the state.
More than 14 lakh devotees have visited Kedarnath Dham so far this pilgrimage season, reflecting the strong spiritual connection of pilgrims with one of India’s most sacred shrines. Meanwhile, Badrinath Dham is receiving around 6,000 devotees every day, with the steady flow of visitors continuing despite weather-related challenges.
Authorities have intensified monitoring and safety arrangements along the pilgrimage routes to ensure a smooth and secure journey for devotees. Measures are being taken to manage crowd movement, improve facilities, and address challenges caused by rainfall and changing weather conditions.
Pilgrims have been advised to remain alert, check weather updates regularly, and follow instructions issued by local authorities while travelling to the high-altitude shrines.
The administration is also focusing on maintaining essential services, ensuring safe travel routes, and providing necessary support to devotees throughout the pilgrimage period.
The overwhelming response to the Char Dham Yatra highlights the enduring faith of devotees, who continue to undertake the spiritual journey with dedication and devotion. Despite the difficulties posed by the monsoon, the pilgrimage remains a symbol of faith, resilience, and spiritual commitment.
15, Jul 2026
Bound by Love by Edith Layton now available from Histria Books
Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of Bound by Love by Edith Layton. This novel is published by Histria Romance, an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding books in the romance genre.
Set in 1745 Virginia and England, Bound by Love follows Jared St. Andrew Bellington, a boy stripped of security and status, whose life becomes entwined with the Kensington family after an act of courage at the docks. What begins as a story of survival grows into an intimate historical romance about identity, class, memory, and the difficult work of deciding who gets to belong.
The novel’s freshness lies in its refusal to treat the past as decorative. Its colonial world is physically vivid and morally unsettled, shaped by indenture, inherited privilege, trade, and the damage done when people are treated as property. Jared’s voice brings real emotional force to questions historical romance often leaves at the edges: how does someone rebuild a self after being denied control over his own life? With its warm family relationships, sharply felt social pressures, and romance rooted in mutual recognition rather than fantasy, Bound by Love offers readers a more searching kind of escapism.
Edith Layton (1938-2009) began her career as a freelance journalist before publishing her debut novel, The Duke’s Wager. She went on to write over 30 novels, winning numerous accolades including the Romantic Times Award for Best New Regency Author. Today, her classic backlist is being brought to a new generation of readers, along with several never-before-published works.
Bound by Love by Edith Layton, 268 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-641-6 is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. This title is available as print on demand through Simon & Schuster. This title is also available as an eBook. For information on publishing with Histria Books, please visit HistriaBooks.com or contact us at info@histriabooks.com.
15, Jul 2026
UST Wins Seven Awards at the ETHRWorld Future Skills Awards 2026
Mumbai, India, July 15: UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has been conferred with seven awards at the ETHRWorld Future Skills Awards 2026 across organizational and individual categories. The recognition across different leadership categories underscores UST’s commitment to building future-ready talent and continuously strengthening capabilities that drive client value.
The ET Future Skills Awards (ETFSA) honour organizations driving impactful learning and talent development initiatives that empower people, build future-ready capabilities, and shape the workplaces of tomorrow. UST has been honoured with four awards in the Organizational category – India’s Future Skills Impact Award, ‘Gold’ in Best Innovative Leadership Development Program, ‘Silver’ in Best Generative AI Learning Solution, and Excellence in AI-Driven Learning & Analytics. In the Individual category, UST received ‘Gold’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader – Mary Mathew and ‘Silver’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader – Krishna Ahir, and NextGen Learning Leader – Under 40 – Rajit Rangan.
“These awards are not just a celebration of learning programs; they are a recognition of the capability movement we are building at UST. The future belongs to organizations that can learn faster than change, build strategic skills ahead of demand, and translate learning into measurable business impact. At G.A. Menon Academy, our aspiration is to make continuous learning a cultural advantage and capability-building a strategic engine for UST’s future growth,” said Krishnan Nilakantan, Chief Learning Officer, UST.
The industry validation through the ET HRWorld Awards matters more at a time when skills are becoming a key source of competitive advantage. It recognizes UST‘s programs that are designed to contribute to the internal growth as well as setting a benchmark in developing the larger talent and learning ecosystem. The achievements reflect the depth of leadership, innovation, and learning excellence at UST.
UST’s learning ecosystem is driven through the G.A. Menon Academy (GAMA), which shapes enterprise capability. The Learning and Development initiatives at UST have been steadily evolving from a traditional learning delivery model to a more strategic capability-building engine focusing on building future skills, enabling leadership effectiveness, accelerating AI adoption and readiness, and driving measurable organizational impact, closely aligned with business priorities.
