Category Archives: News

Northern Railways, Indus Towers Boost Women’s Hygiene Access

New Delhi, June 23: Northern Railways, in collaboration with Indus Towers, has strengthened access to women’s hygiene facilities across 175 railway stations, marking a significant step towards improving sanitation and passenger comfort.

The initiative focuses on enhancing hygiene infrastructure for women travellers by improving availability and accessibility of clean and safe sanitation facilities at key railway stations. The project aims to ensure better hygiene standards, especially for women passengers during long-distance and daily travel.

Officials said the collaboration reflects a broader commitment to improving passenger amenities and promoting inclusive infrastructure across the railway network. By prioritising women’s hygiene needs, the initiative seeks to create a safer and more comfortable travel experience for female passengers.

The partnership between Northern Railways and Indus Towers is part of ongoing efforts to modernise railway infrastructure and align it with improved public health and hygiene standards. It also supports the larger goal of making railway stations more inclusive and passenger-friendly.

Authorities added that continued focus on sanitation and passenger welfare will remain a key priority in upcoming infrastructure upgrades across the railway system.

The development underscores the growing emphasis on collaborative public-private efforts to enhance essential services and improve travel experiences across India’s railway network.

Jay Shah Calls for Sports-Driven Well-Being on International Olympic Day

New Delhi, June 23: On the occasion of International Olympic Day, ICC Chairman Jay Shah called for greater emphasis on sports as a catalyst for unity, inspiration, and empowerment, highlighting its role in shaping healthier and more inclusive societies.

Marking the day, Shah said sport goes far beyond competition, acting as a powerful force that builds character, discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He stressed that regular participation in sports can significantly improve both physical and mental well-being, while also strengthening social bonds across communities.

Reiterating the Olympic spirit, Shah underlined that sports have the unique ability to bring people together across backgrounds and borders, promoting values of friendship, respect, and fair play. He encouraged young people to actively engage in sports, noting that early participation helps build confidence and lays the foundation for long-term personal and professional growth.

He also highlighted the importance of creating stronger sporting ecosystems at the grassroots level, adding that access to facilities, training, and encouragement is essential to nurturing future champions. According to him, sustained investment in sports development can play a key role in nation-building and in inspiring the next generation.

International Olympic Day is observed globally to celebrate the founding of the modern Olympic movement and to promote the values of sport and physical activity. Shah’s message aligned with this global theme, reinforcing the idea of “unite, inspire and empower” through sport.

The statement reflects the growing recognition of sports as a key pillar of holistic development, well-being, and social progress.

Royaloak Partners with Team Pumpkin to Strengthen Digital Presence

June 23: Royaloak Furniture, India’s No. 1 furniture brand, has appointed Team Pumpkin as its integrated digital marketing partner to strengthen the brand’s digital presence and accelerate growth across online platforms. The partnership marks a strategic step for Royaloak as it continues to expand its reach among modern Indian consumers.

Founded in 2012, Royaloak is one of India’s  furniture and home décor brands, offering a wide range of stylish and affordable furniture solutions for homes and offices. With a growing retail presence and a strong e-commerce focus, the brand is steadily building its footprint across the country.

As part of the mandate, Team Pumpkin will handle Royaloak’s social media marketing, website management, e-commerce operations, and performance marketing initiatives, while providing strategic digital support for influencer engagement activities. The collaboration aims to improve customer engagement, strengthen digital commerce experiences, and enhance the brand’s visibility across platforms.

Team Pumpkin, founded in 2012, is an integrated digital marketing agency known for delivering creative, influencer, and performance-driven campaigns for leading brands across lifestyle, retail, FMCG, and technology sectors. With a strong focus on content, culture, and measurable business impact, the agency specialises in building digital strategies that drive engagement, visibility, and growth.

Commenting on the partnership, Vijai Subramaniam, Founder and Chairman, Royaloak, said,

 “As customer journeys increasingly move online, it becomes important for us to create stronger digital experiences that reflect our brand and connect with modern consumers. We look forward to this collaboration with Team Pumpkin.”

Swati Nathani, Co-Founder, Team Pumpkin, added,

“We are excited to partner with Royaloak and build impactful digital narratives supported by performance-led strategies and commerce-focused solutions.” 

 Vinod Khandelwal, Chief Growth Officer, Team Pumpkin, said,

“Royaloak’s strong market position presents significant opportunities for digital growth. We look forward to driving measurable business impact through integrated, performance-led digital strategies.”

Team India Begins Overseas White-Ball Assignment in UK and Ireland

New Delhi, June 23: Team India has departed for its upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England, marking the start of an important overseas assignment.

The tour will see India compete in a series of limited-overs matches as part of preparations for upcoming international tournaments. The squad includes a mix of senior players and young talent, aimed at maintaining balance between experience and emerging prospects.

Players and support staff left from New Delhi amid positive expectations, with the team focusing on adapting to English conditions and building momentum ahead of a packed international schedule.

The coaching staff is expected to use the tour to assess squad depth, test combinations, and strengthen performance in challenging overseas conditions.

Cricket experts view the series as a key opportunity for India to fine-tune its white-ball strategy and gain valuable match practice against strong international opposition.

The tour is expected to play an important role in shaping team combinations and performance benchmarks for future global events.

India Leads APAC in Job Security Confidence, Ranks Third Globally: Report

New Delhi, June 23: India has emerged as a strong performer in global job security confidence, securing the first position in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and ranking third worldwide, according to a recent report.

The findings indicate high optimism among Indian employees regarding job stability and future employment prospects, reflecting resilience in the country’s labour market amid evolving global economic conditions.

The report attributes this strong confidence to sustained economic growth, expanding employment opportunities, and robust hiring across key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and services. It also highlights the growing formalisation of jobs and increasing demand for skilled professionals as key drivers.

Experts said India’s position reflects its strengthening role as a global employment hub, supported by rapid digital transformation, rising entrepreneurship, and continued industrial expansion.

Globally, the rankings show varying levels of workforce sentiment, with India standing out for its higher confidence in job security and career opportunities compared to many other economies.

The development underscores a positive outlook for India’s labour market and reinforces its growing influence in shaping global employment trends.

NSA Doval Welcomes US–Iran Understanding at BRICS Meet

New Delhi, June 23: India has welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the United States and Iran, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval describing it as a positive step towards reducing tensions and encouraging dialogue in a sensitive region.

Speaking at the BRICS meeting, Doval said India consistently supports diplomatic engagement as the most effective way to resolve disputes and build lasting regional stability. He noted that any development that promotes communication and de-escalation contributes to global peace and security.

He further emphasised that sustained dialogue between nations is essential in addressing complex geopolitical challenges and preventing further escalation. According to him, constructive engagement helps create trust and opens pathways for long-term solutions.

The discussions at the BRICS forum also focused on broader global and regional security concerns, with member countries exchanging views on evolving geopolitical developments and their impact on international stability.

India reiterated its long-standing position in favour of peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, highlighting the importance of cooperation in maintaining global order.

The statement underscores India’s balanced diplomatic approach, which encourages engagement among nations even in times of heightened geopolitical tension, with the aim of fostering stability and mutual understanding.

Trailer of ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ Animated Film Launched Amid Massive Devotional Gathering

June 23: The trailer of the much-awaited animated feature film “Mahaprabhu Jagannath” was officially launched on Monday by spiritual orator Indresh Upadhyay Maharaj during his Shrimad Bhagwat Katha.

The launch witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 10,000 devotees present for the unveiling, making it one of the largest physical trailer launches for an animated film in India. The atmosphere turned deeply devotional as chants of “Jai Jagannath” filled the venue during the trailer screening.

Speaking at the event, Indresh Upadhyay Maharaj appreciated the effort behind the film and highlighted the importance of connecting younger generations with India’s culture, traditions, and spiritual values. He said such creative initiatives play an important role in helping children understand their roots in an engaging and meaningful way.

He added that “Mahaprabhu Jagannath” is more than just a film, calling it a sincere attempt to pass on devotion, culture, and values to the coming generation through modern storytelling.

The film is being promoted as the first pan-India theatrical animated feature based on Lord Jagannath, designed with world-class animation to appeal to children as well as family audiences.

Directed by Shripad Warkhedkar, the project features screenplay and dialogues by Pallavi Sharma, with music composed by Aviral Kumar. The film is scheduled for release on July 10 in Hindi, Odia, and Telugu languages.

The makers believe the film will help bridge tradition with contemporary animation, bringing spiritual storytelling closer to today’s audience in an engaging format.

Air India to Boost Northeast Connectivity with Gulf Direct Flights

Guwahati, June 23: Air India will commence direct international flights connecting Guwahati with Dubai and Abu Dhabi starting August 4, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced.

The new routes mark a significant expansion of international air connectivity from Northeast India, aimed at improving access to key global destinations in the Middle East. The direct flights are expected to enhance travel convenience for passengers, boost tourism, and strengthen business and trade linkages between Assam and the Gulf region.

Officials noted that improved connectivity will also benefit the large Indian diaspora in the Gulf countries, particularly workers and families from Assam and neighbouring states, by reducing travel time and improving accessibility.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to position Guwahati as a key aviation hub in the region, supporting economic development and increasing the state’s integration with international markets.

Authorities expressed confidence that the new routes will contribute to increased passenger traffic, economic activity, and regional growth in the coming years.

Child Care Aware of Missouri Appoints Director to Lead New Initiative

Angela Franks to head launch of Child Care WAGE$ Missouri Pilot in St. Louis County.

(St. Louis, Mo., June 23, 2026) Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) has named Angela Franks as Director of its Child Care WAGE$ Missouri project. In this role, she will lead the launch and ongoing management of the organization’s new initiative designed to improve retention among early childhood educators in St. Louis County through education-based compensation. Franks will oversee directing and daily operations while cultivating strong partnerships with child care professionals and county stakeholders.

Franks brings more than 20 years of experience as an educator and ecosystem builder. Prior to joining CCAMO, she served as Principal for ARK Consulting Services, where she developed and delivered training programs for adults and youth focused on personal development, career readiness, and small business growth.  Her professional background also includes roles with multiple school districts and the St. Louis County Library. She holds a Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Fontbonne University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Webster University.

Developed by the TEACH Early Childhood National Center in North Carolina, the Child Care WAGE$ program is a salary supplement initiative that invests in early childhood educators to strengthen workforce stability and improve quality of care. With more than 30 years of proven success in five states, this pilot marks the first implementation of the program in Missouri. The initiative is made possible through CCAMO’s long-standing affiliation with the national TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship program.

Funded by a $5.6 million award administered by the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund, Child Care WAGE$ Missouri recently began offering its services. Through the Missouri pilot, eligible educators working in licensed or license-exempt child care programs in St. Louis County will receive salary supplements based on their education level and continued employment with their program.

“Angela brings the vision and deep workforce expertise needed to successfully launch this pilot,” said Beth Ann Lang, Deputy CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri. “Her experience will be instrumental in strengthening retention and ensuring early childhood educators in St. Louis County receive meaningful financial recognition for their education and commitment.”

Founded in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on a comprehensive early childhood education experience through impactful programs and partnerships. The organization’s services include workforce development, child care business supports, advocacy and policy work, and Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign offering concierge solutions to businesses undergoing employee recruitment and retention challenges due to the overwhelming shortage of quality child care options. For more information, call (314) 535-1458 or visit www.mochildcareaware.org.

Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire: 13 Dead, Several Injured as Blaze Engulfs Building in Aliganj

Lucknow, June 22: At least 13 people were killed after a massive fire broke out in a building housing a coaching centre in the Aliganj area of northwest Lucknow on Monday, officials said. Several others were injured as panic gripped the area and some students attempted to escape by jumping from the building.

According to initial reports, the fire erupted suddenly inside a three-storey commercial building that housed a coaching institute along with a pet shop and other commercial establishments. The blaze spread rapidly, trapping students and staff inside the premises.

Eyewitnesses said thick smoke filled the building within minutes, making evacuation difficult. In desperation, several students reportedly jumped from the first floor to escape the flames, with at least one person sustaining serious injuries.

Fire and emergency services rushed to the spot and carried out intensive rescue operations. The blaze raged for over an hour before being brought under control. After the fire was doused, officials recovered at least 13 bodies from the building, while rescue teams continued searching for any remaining trapped individuals.

A video circulating from the site showed chaotic scenes, including individuals attempting to escape through broken windows and falling while trying to reach safety.

Police and administrative officials, including senior officers, reached the spot to oversee rescue and relief operations. The building has been cordoned off and a detailed investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

Expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also directed officials to reach out to affected families and ensure proper medical treatment and assistance for the injured.

Further details are awaited as rescue and identification efforts continue.