Khelo India Tribal Games Mark Debut with Strong National Participation

Raipur: The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games will kick off on Wednesday in Chhattisgarh, bringing together around 1,300 athletes from across the country to compete in nine sporting disciplines.

The event will be hosted across three venues—Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja—and will feature competitions for 106 gold medals. The Games mark a major step in promoting tribal talent and expanding India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem.

A total of around 3,800 participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials, will be part of the sporting event, which will continue until April 3.

Odisha has sent the largest contingent with 125 athletes among the 30 participating states and Union Territories. Host state Chhattisgarh follows closely with 121 participants, while Jharkhand and Assam have fielded 107 and 106 athletes respectively.

Medals will be contested in sports such as archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Traditional games like mallakhamb and kabaddi will be featured as demonstration sports, highlighting India’s rich indigenous sporting heritage.

Athletics will offer the highest number of gold medals (34), followed by swimming (24), wrestling (18), and weightlifting (16).

Speaking about the significance of the event, Hockey India president and former Olympian Dilip Tirkey said the Games represent a proud moment for tribal athletes and a valuable platform to showcase their talent at the national level. He noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of promoting sports participation among youth across the country.

The Khelo India Tribal Games aim to nurture emerging talent from tribal regions and strengthen India’s ambition of becoming a stronger sporting nation by identifying and supporting athletes at the grassroots level.

NeuEN Secures Green Hydrogen Supply Deal with Numaligarh Refinery

Chandigarh, Mar 25: NeuEN Green Energy Pvt. Ltd. (NeuEN), a 50:50 joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India Private Limited, has secured a contract to supply 10,000 tonnes per annum (10KTPA) of green hydrogen to Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL).

Under the contract, NeuEN will develop a green hydrogen production facility at NRL’s refinery in Assam, supported by a long-term offtake arrangement. The project is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028 and will integrate renewable energy with advanced storage solutions to enable reliable, round-the-clock operations to support refinery decarbonisation.

Commenting on the development, Sanjay Khanna, Chairman & Managing Director, BPCL, said,

“This project marks a significant milestone in BPCL’s journey towards building a future-ready and resilient energy portfolio. Through NeuEN, we are strengthening our presence across the green hydrogen value chain and progressing towards becoming a supplier of clean energy solutions. Securing this project through a competitive bidding process reflects both the evolving maturity of the green hydrogen sector and our focus on developing scalable, market-aligned solutions. As we move forward, our emphasis will remain on building robust execution capabilities and contributing meaningfully to industrial decarbonisation and India’s long-term energy security.”

Vipul Tuli, President & CEO, Renewables, West, and CEO, Hydrogen Business, Sembcorp, said,

 “This award marks a significant step forward in advancing India’s green hydrogen ambitions and aligns closely with Sembcorp’s strategy to enable a lower‑carbon energy future. The landmark tariff achieved demonstrates the importance of well-structured long term offtake contracts. We are pleased to support NRL in its decarbonisation goals, and together with BPCL, deliver a project of national importance.”

Shelly Abraham, Chairman, NeuEN, said,

 “By combining BPCL’s strong domestic market presence and infrastructure capabilities with Sembcorp’s global experience in renewable energy, we are enabling the integration of low-carbon solutions into refining operations and supporting long-term industrial decarbonisation.”

Sembcorp brings complementary strengths to the partnership and continues to advance green hydrogen and its derivatives as key decarbonisation pathways. With a 7.6GW renewables portfolio in India, Sembcorp is well-positioned to support large-scale, cost competitive green hydrogen production to help meet national and industrial decarbonisation goals.

India Records 275.75 Lakh Tonnes of Urea Production So Far This Fiscal

Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 Goes Beyond Infrastructure to Focus on Sustainable Water Access

Pic Credit: Pexel

New Delhi: Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 is set to expand its focus beyond the installation of pipes and pumps, aiming to ensure long-term, sustainable access to safe drinking water in rural India.

The upgraded phase of the mission emphasizes not only expanding household tap connections but also strengthening water source sustainability, improving quality monitoring, and enhancing local water management systems.

Officials said the new approach seeks to address challenges such as groundwater depletion and seasonal water scarcity by promoting community participation and efficient resource management.

The initiative builds on the progress of the original Jal Jeevan Mission, which significantly increased rural tap water coverage across the country. The second phase is expected to deepen its impact by ensuring reliability, quality, and long-term water security for every household.

With a stronger focus on sustainability and decentralised management, Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 aims to move beyond infrastructure delivery towards a more resilient and future-ready drinking water system.

PM KISAN Scheme Provides INR 4.27 Lakh Crore Direct Support to Farmers

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has disbursed a total of ₹4.27 lakh crore in direct financial assistance to farmers across India, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector.

The initiative provides income support to eligible farmers through direct benefit transfers, ensuring timely financial aid to help meet agricultural and household needs. Officials said the scheme reflects the government’s continued focus on farmer welfare and rural development.

Launched to supplement the income of small and marginal farmers, PM-KISAN has played a key role in providing economic stability to millions of farming families. The programme has also contributed to improving access to resources required for agricultural productivity.

Authorities highlighted that the scheme aligns with the broader vision of building a self-reliant and developed nation, where farmers remain central to economic growth and food security.

With continued fund transfers and expanded outreach, PM-KISAN remains one of the largest direct income support programmes for farmers globally, reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening its agricultural backbone.

Empowering Rural Odisha: Mission PoWaR Drives Integrated Development Push

Odisha: The state’s Mission PoWaR is emerging as a major initiative aimed at transforming rural areas through a convergence-based development approach focused on infrastructure and essential services.

Under the mission, significant investments have been allocated to strengthen connectivity and improve basic facilities across villages. The plan includes ₹3,491 crore for rural roads, ₹2,050 crore for bridges, and ₹1,000 crore dedicated to ensuring all-weather connectivity, aiming to improve access even in remote regions.

Alongside infrastructure development, the initiative places strong emphasis on providing reliable electricity supply and safe drinking water to every village. Officials say the programme is designed to create inclusive growth by linking remote habitations with mainstream development.

Mission PoWaR focuses on coordinated efforts across departments to accelerate rural transformation, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life for rural communities.

The initiative is expected to play a key role in strengthening rural Odisha’s infrastructure backbone while supporting long-term socio-economic development.

Devotees Flock to Temples Across India on Seventh Day of Chaitra Navratri

Temples across India witnessed a large influx of devotees on the seventh day of Chaitra Navratri, as worshippers gathered to offer prayers and seek blessings of Goddess Durga.

Devotees observed the day with traditional rituals, fasting, and special pujas dedicated to Goddess Kaalratri, the form worshipped on the seventh day of the nine-day festival. Temples were decorated with flowers and lights, creating a festive and spiritual atmosphere.

Across major pilgrimage sites and local shrines, long queues of devotees were seen from early morning as people participated in prayers and devotional activities. Priests conducted special ceremonies and recitations of sacred hymns throughout the day.

The festival of Chaitra Navratri is observed with deep devotion across the country, marking a period of spiritual reflection, discipline, and celebration of divine feminine energy. The ongoing celebrations will continue until Ram Navami, which marks the culmination of the festival.

Authorities in several regions made arrangements to manage crowds and ensure smooth darshan for devotees.

Prakriti 2026 Conference on Carbon Markets Begins in New Delhi

The Union government has launched Prakriti 2026, an international conference on carbon markets and climate action, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts to discuss sustainable growth and emission reduction strategies.

The conference focuses on strengthening carbon market frameworks, improving global cooperation, and exploring innovative solutions to address climate change challenges.

It is being organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The event reflects India’s growing emphasis on clean energy transition and climate-responsible development.

Experts are expected to deliberate on policy improvements, market mechanisms, and ways to enhance transparency and participation in carbon trading systems.

Prakriti 2026 aims to support global climate goals while positioning India as a key contributor in shaping sustainable economic practices.