Category Archives: News

India Achieves Key Milestone in Conservation of Wild Rice Genetic Resources

New Delhi, July 2: The Government of India has achieved a significant milestone in the conservation of wild rice genetic resources, marking an important advancement in the country’s efforts to safeguard agricultural biodiversity and strengthen future food security.

Wild rice species are considered a critical reservoir of genetic traits such as resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to drought and floods, and adaptability to changing climatic conditions. Conserving these genetic resources is essential for developing improved rice varieties that can sustain productivity under environmental stress.

The initiative involves systematic identification, collection, documentation, and long-term preservation of wild rice germplasm across different agro-climatic regions of the country. These genetic materials are being conserved for use in scientific research and crop improvement programmes.

Officials stated that the conserved genetic diversity will play a vital role in supporting plant breeding efforts aimed at developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant rice varieties. This is expected to benefit farmers by improving crop stability and reducing losses due to unpredictable weather patterns and biological threats.

The government highlighted that this achievement reflects strengthened coordination between agricultural research institutions, conservation agencies, and scientific bodies engaged in plant genetic resource management. Continuous efforts are being made to expand the national gene pool and ensure its accessibility for future research and development.

Experts noted that preserving wild rice diversity is crucial at a time when climate change poses increasing risks to global food systems. India’s progress in this area is seen as an important contribution to long-term agricultural sustainability and global food security goals.

Asian Kabaddi League Unveils Women’s Chapter 1; International League to be Telecast in Prime Time from 1–16 August

New Delhi, July 2 :The Asian Kabaddi League  unveiled Women’s Chapter 1, a dedicated international professional league for women’s kabaddi, at a press conference at the Constitution Club of India. Matches will be held from 1 to 16 August 2026 and telecast in prime time, with Sony as the official broadcasting partner.

The league was launched in association with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India , the South East Asian Kabaddi Federation  and the state kabaddi associations of Jharkhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. Representatives of the participating federations and state associations were felicitated at the event in recognition of their support.

AKL – Women’s Chapter 1 has a single objective: to promote and develop women’s kabaddi at the international level. While most professional kabaddi leagues worldwide remain focused on the men’s game, AKL is introducing a dedicated women’s competition to give women athletes equal opportunity, international exposure and a genuinely professional platform — an aim aligned with the wider national push for women’s empowerment and sports development.

The Announcement

Introducing the league, Vikram Vijay Chandan, President – Growth & Media, AKL, said AKL will bring together the finest women kabaddi players and team heads from across Asia, telecast by Sony in prime time.

Dr. Praveen Shetty, League Chairman, welcomed the representatives from the participating states and reaffirmed the league’s founding belief — that talent exists in every region and deserves an equal, professional platform.

Players Welcome a Long-Awaited Platform

International kabaddi player Suman Shokeen said women players had long awaited a professional league of this scale, calling AKL a fresh beginning that will inspire more young girls to take up the sport.

Shri Narayanan thanked the organisers and the state kabaddi associations — with particular appreciation for the Tamil Nadu Kabaddi Association — and noted that players from Southeast Asian countries will feature alongside Indian players.

Format and Next Steps

Kuldeep Rana confirmed that invitations have been extended to the participating teams and that the final team list will be announced shortly. The league will be telecast on Sony Sports; prize money and the official tip-off event will be announced separately. Future editions are planned in a home-and-away format, with the goal of establishing AKL as a high-quality, fully professional women’s league.

JC Sharma said the league will create more tournaments and playing opportunities for women, helping them prepare for professional competition and opening pathways to financial growth, recognition and employment. A dedicated booth for guests and promotional activity was also set up at the venue.

Geetanjali Sharma, Chairperson of National Anti Doping Agency said the league will create valuable opportunities for woman in the country, the whole idea of women empowerment and the way league is designed to enable the woman from the grassroots. She praised the organisers on following the footsteps of Honourable Prime Minister and his views on Women Empowerment 

Heavy Monsoon Rains Disrupt Mumbai

Heavy Monsoon Rains Disrupt Mumbai; Over 99 Tree Falls and Multiple Power Faults Reported

Mumbai, July 2: Continuous heavy rainfall has severely disrupted normal life across the city, leading to widespread tree falls and power-related incidents.

According to initial reports, more than 99 cases of trees being uprooted or falling were recorded, along with at least 13 incidents of short circuits in various parts of Mumbai. The relentless rain has also affected road movement and local infrastructure, causing delays and safety concerns for residents.

Municipal authorities and emergency response teams are actively working to clear debris, restore electricity, and ensure public safety. Citizens have been urged to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve.

Delhi EV Model Shows INR 1 Lakh Crore Savings Path

New Delhi, July 2: India’s transition towards electric mobility could deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, with estimates suggesting that achieving 20% electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030 may help save nearly ₹1 lakh crore in fuel import costs.

According to policy insights, a higher adoption of EVs will substantially reduce the country’s dependence on imported crude oil, thereby strengthening energy security and easing pressure on the import bill. Experts believe that the transport sector, which remains a major consumer of fossil fuels, holds the key to achieving these savings through large-scale electrification.

The Delhi EV policy has emerged as a notable example of successful implementation, demonstrating how targeted incentives, regulatory support, and infrastructure expansion—such as charging stations and consumer subsidies—can accelerate EV adoption in urban areas.

Officials and experts further noted that expanding EV usage will not only reduce import costs but also contribute to improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term environmental sustainability. The shift is also expected to promote innovation and investment in clean mobility technologies across the country.

They emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the Centre and states to scale up charging infrastructure, support manufacturing, and encourage consumer adoption in order to meet the 2030 target effectively.

Indian REITs Association Appoints Shirish Godbole as Chairperson

Mumbai,July 2: The Indian REITs Association today announced the  appointment of Mr. Shirish Godbole, Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge Realty Trust,  as its chairperson, with immediate effect. He succeeds Mr. Alok Aggarwal, who stepped  down as Chairperson following his retirement as Managing Director & CEO of Brookfield  India Real Estate Trust.

The Indian REITs Association expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. Aggarwal for his leadership and valuable contributions in guiding the Association during the formative  phase of India’s REIT sector. Under his stewardship, the Association played a key role in  strengthening investor education, fostering industry engagement, and supporting the  growth of the country’s listed REIT ecosystem.

Founded in 2023 under the guidance of SEBI and the Ministry of Finance, the Indian REITs  Association  is a non-profit industry body dedicated to promoting the growth and  development of India’s Real Estate Investment Trust  sector. Its members include  Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business  Parks REIT, Nexus Select Trust, Knowledge Realty Trust, and Bagmane Prime Office REIT.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Shirish Godbole said

“I am honored to assume the  role of Chairperson of the Indian REITs Association at a defining moment for the sector.  In just a few years, REITs have established themselves as a credible and transparent investment avenue, and the opportunity ahead is even more exciting. As India’s  commercial real estate market continues to mature, REITs have the potential to become  a mainstream investment product for both domestic and global investors. I look forward  to working closely with our members, regulators and other stakeholders to strengthen  the REIT ecosystem, enhance investor awareness, uphold the highest standards of governance and transparency, and support the next phase of growth for the industry.”

Mr. Godbole currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge Realty Trust,  India’s largest listed REIT by market capitalization, and brings over 25 years of experience in global real estate investing and finance. He has held senior leadership positions with globally renowned institutions, including AEW Capital Management in Boston; Morgan  Stanley in New York, where he served as Managing Director in the Real Estate Assets Division; and Morgan Stanley India Financial Services Private Limited, where he headed  Morgan Stanley’s Real Estate Investing business in India. He has also served as Managing  Director in the Merchant Banking Division at Goldman SachsSecurities Private  Limited.

Mr. Godbole holds a master’s degree in business administration from Northeastern  University, Boston.

Malnutrition Still a Challenge in Odisha: Ojan Utsav Intensifies Fight Against Child Undernutrition

Bhubaneswar, July 2: Despite steady improvements in child nutrition indicators over the past few years, malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Odisha, particularly in remote tribal and hard-to-reach regions. To strengthen early detection and ensure timely nutritional intervention, the Odisha Government has launched the first phase of Ojan Utsav 2026 under Mission Poshan 2.0, which will be conducted from July 1 to July 25 across the state.

Representational image

Ojan Utsav is a biannual growth monitoring and measurement campaign aimed at assessing the height and weight of children below five years of age. The initiative seeks to identify children affected by Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) at an early stage and connect them with appropriate nutrition and healthcare services.

This year’s campaign places special emphasis on covering children living in remote, tribal and cut-off villages, ensuring that even the most inaccessible communities receive essential growth monitoring. Anganwadi Workers, ICDS Supervisors and frontline health functionaries are conducting the exercise across more than 72,000 Anganwadi Centres in Odisha.

Unlike routine growth monitoring, Ojan Utsav is conducted under the direct supervision of ICDS officials to ensure accurate anthropometric measurements. The height and weight data collected during the campaign are uploaded in real time to the Poshan Abhiyaan digital platform, enabling authorities to monitor children’s nutritional status and initiate timely interventions wherever required.

According to available data, nearly 29.1 per cent of children under five in Odisha are stunted, reflecting chronic undernutrition. Around 12.8 per cent are underweight, while 2.9 per cent suffer from wasting. The burden of Severe Acute Malnutrition remains concentrated in districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, where geographical isolation and socio-economic challenges continue to affect child health outcomes.

Tribal communities continue to face disproportionate nutritional challenges. Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), undernutrition remains significantly higher than the state average, highlighting the need for focused interventions in remote habitations.

Experts attribute child malnutrition to a combination of poverty, food insecurity, poor maternal nutrition, inadequate sanitation and drinking water facilities, and difficulties in delivering healthcare services to inaccessible villages. These factors often delay early identification and treatment of vulnerable children.

To address these challenges, the state has strengthened its nutrition strategy through Mission Poshan 2.0, the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana, AMLAN (Anaemia Mukta Lakshya Abhiyaan) and the expansion of Anganwadi services in underserved areas. Ojan Utsav complements these initiatives by generating accurate growth data that supports evidence-based planning and targeted nutritional interventions.

Officials of the Department of Women and Child Development said the campaign is not merely a data collection exercise but a statewide effort to ensure that every child receives an equal opportunity to grow healthy. They appealed to parents and caregivers to participate actively in the campaign by bringing their children to the nearest Anganwadi Centre for growth assessment.

With the first phase continuing until July 25, the Government aims to strengthen child nutrition surveillance and reaffirm its commitment to building a healthier, malnutrition-free Odisha by ensuring that no child is left behind, irrespective of where they live.

Delhi CM Launches Green Drive Portal Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

New Delhi, July 2: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has launched the ‘Green Drive Portal’ under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, aimed at encouraging large-scale tree plantation and environmental participation among citizens.

The initiative seeks to strengthen green cover in the national capital by enabling individuals, institutions, and organisations to actively participate in plantation drives and track their contributions through the digital platform.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the campaign is designed to promote environmental awareness while honouring the emotional bond between individuals and their mothers through tree plantation.

The portal will serve as a central platform to register plantation activities, monitor progress, and encourage community participation in building a cleaner and greener Delhi.

The government has urged citizens to take part in the initiative and contribute towards increasing the city’s green cover.

Odisha Cabinet Clears ‘Gyanodaya’ Scheme, Completes Vision of Free Education from KG to PG

Bhubaneswar, July 2 (UDN): Fulfilling a key promise to make education affordable for every child, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved ‘Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi’, a flagship scheme that extends free education from Kindergarten (KG) to Postgraduate (PG) level by waiving admission fees for eligible students from the 2026–27 academic session.

The decision was taken at the 42nd Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, marking a major expansion of the state’s education support framework.

While education from KG to Class VIII has already been free in Odisha, the new scheme extends financial assistance to students studying in Classes IX to XII in government and government-aided schools, as well as those pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in regular mode at State Public Universities, government colleges and government-aided colleges. With this, the state completes its vision of providing free education across the entire academic journey—from KG to PG.

The Cabinet approved an outlay of ₹895.57 crore for the first year of implementation and ₹5,467.55 crore over the next five years. The programme is expected to benefit more than 32 lakh students annually, making it one of the largest education support initiatives undertaken by the state.

The scheme aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent students, particularly those from economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds, from continuing their education. By eliminating admission fees, the government expects to improve enrolment, enhance retention, reduce dropout rates and encourage more students to pursue higher education.

However, the benefits will be limited to students enrolled in regular courses at government and government-aided institutions. Self-financing courses, unaided institutions, public-private partnership (PPP) institutions and professional or technical programmes have been excluded from the scheme.

With the launch of ‘Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi’, the Odisha government has made one of its most significant investments in the education sector, reinforcing its commitment to expanding access to quality education and ensuring that financial hardship does not stand in the way of academic aspirations.

Odisha Cabinet Clears 12 Key Proposals Across Eight Departments, Signals Push for Education, Infrastructure and Digital Growth

Bhubaneswar, July 2 (UDN): The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved 12 major proposals spanning eight key departments, underscoring the state government’s focus on strengthening education, infrastructure, water resource management, digital governance, food security and disaster resilience.

The decisions were taken at the 42nd meeting of the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhavan. The proposals are expected to accelerate development initiatives, improve public service delivery and support sustainable growth across sectors.

Following the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed the media on the Cabinet’s approval of the flagship proposal from the School and Mass Education Department, while Chief Secretary Anu Garg outlined the remaining decisions approved by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet considered and approved proposals from eight departments:

• Higher Education Department – 1 proposal
• Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department – 2 proposals
• Electronics and Information Technology Department – 1 proposal
• Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department – 1 proposal
• Works Department – 2 proposals
• Water Resources Department – 3 proposals
• School and Mass Education Department – 1 proposal
• Revenue and Disaster Management Department – 1 proposal

The approved measures cover a wide range of development priorities, including strengthening the education system, expanding fisheries and livestock infrastructure, enhancing digital services, improving food distribution, upgrading public infrastructure, modernising water resource management and reinforcing disaster preparedness.

Particular emphasis was placed on the proposal from the School and Mass Education Department, which is expected to significantly enhance access to quality education and benefit students across the state.

The Cabinet’s decisions reflect the government’s continued emphasis on coordinated, sector-specific reforms aimed at improving governance and delivering tangible benefits to citizens. With approvals spanning critical social and economic sectors, the 42nd Cabinet meeting marks another step in Odisha’s ongoing efforts to build resilient infrastructure, modernise public services and promote inclusive development.

Cabinet Approves INR 7,145 Crore Kanpur–Kabrai Highway Project

New Delhi, July 1: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹7,145 crore highway project to construct a new road corridor between Kanpur and Kabrai in Uttar Pradesh.

The proposed highway is aimed at improving regional connectivity, reducing travel time, and easing traffic congestion on existing routes. It is expected to provide a faster and safer travel option for both passengers and freight movement.

Officials said the project will strengthen links between key towns and nearby industrial and economic centres, supporting smoother logistics and better access to markets.

The highway is also expected to boost regional development by improving road infrastructure and facilitating economic activity across connected districts.

The initiative reflects the government’s continued focus on expanding modern road infrastructure to improve mobility and support economic growth.