17, Mar 2026
Deepanshu appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by IIMSAM.
Mumbai, Mar 17: Deepanshu Manchanda, Founder and Managing Director of DSM Fresh Foods Ltd. (ZappFresh), has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the IIMSAM—an observer organization to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
This prestigious appointment recognizes Manchanda’s contributions toward building inclusive and transparent food systems, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and advancing global nutrition and food security.
Founded in 2015, DSM Fresh Foods Ltd. has been driven by the belief that food safety, traceability, and farmer inclusion are critical to public health and economic resilience. A significant aspect of Manchanda’s work has focused on creating sustainable income opportunities for smallholder farmers, particularly women producers.
Through a collaboration with Shared Wealth Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Heifer International, the company has implemented a backyard poultry sourcing model across Odisha, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. This initiative connects women-led farming households directly with organized markets while promoting improved biosecurity and premium procurement practices.
Role and Focus Areas
As Goodwill Ambassador, Manchanda will support initiatives aligned with key global priorities, including:
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SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Promoting sustainable and innovative nutrition solutions
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SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Raising awareness on nutrition interventions to combat malnutrition
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SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthening collaboration among institutions, communities, and stakeholders
Leadership Commentary
Commenting on the appointment, Deepanshu Manchanda said:
“I’m honoured by IIMSAM’s recognition. It reflects the journey we began at ZappFresh to build transparent food systems that support smallholder farmers and improve nutrition outcomes. I’m eager to contribute toward achieving Zero Hunger, better nutrition, and stronger global partnerships.”
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- By Neel Achary
17, Mar 2026
WaterCAN to Launch 2026 Schools Water Testing Week to Promote Safe Drinking Water
Environmental organization WaterCAN has announced its upcoming 2026 Schools Water Testing Week, a nationwide initiative designed to engage schools in monitoring the safety of their drinking water and raising awareness about potential contamination risks., according to media reports.
The program invites students, teachers, and community volunteers to participate in hands-on water testing activities, using specially designed kits to examine drinking water sources at schools. Schools and participants can also access professional testing support through facilities such as Water Testing Lab in Bhubaneswar, which provide accurate water quality analysis and guidance on maintaining safe drinking water. By involving young people directly, WaterCAN aims to foster scientific curiosity, encourage civic responsibility, and highlight the importance of maintaining safe water for health and learning.
Water testing is crucial because contaminated water can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemical pollutants that pose serious health risks, especially to children. Regular testing helps identify unsafe water sources, prevent waterborne diseases, and ensure compliance with national and international safety standards. In schools, where students spend significant time consuming drinking water, routine testing is a key measure to protect health, enhance learning, and promote overall well-being.
Previous WaterCAN initiatives revealed that a significant portion of tested school water samples were unsafe for consumption, underscoring the need for routine testing and proactive measures. The 2026 Schools Water Testing Week seeks to expand participation and reach more communities, ensuring that students gain firsthand experience in protecting their water quality.
Organizers emphasize that regular water monitoring and community engagement are key to safeguarding children from waterborne illnesses. The initiative also aims to inspire local authorities to address infrastructure challenges and ensure clean, reliable drinking water in schools.
Details about registration, participating schools, and specific dates for the 2026 event will be announced in the coming weeks. WaterCAN’s effort reflects a growing commitment to empowering communities and promoting the right to safe, clean water for all students.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov:
17, Mar 2026
Satyaa Sachee Actress Aanandita Sahoo Reveals How She Stays Cool During Hot Weather
As the temperature continues to rise and the days become hotter, it becomes important to take a little extra care of our health and daily routine. From staying hydrated to choosing the right kind of food, small habits can make a big difference during this season. Aanandita Sahoo, who plays Satyaa in Satyaa Sachee on Sun Neo, shares how she manages to stay fresh and hydrated during the changing weather.
17, Mar 2026
Edwin Saldanha Launches Marketinn to Help Hotels Enhance AI Discoverability and Drive Direct Bookings
Mumbai, Mar 17: Hospitality technology leader Edwin Saldanha announced the launch of Marketinn, a specialised digital marketing and consultancy agency designed to help hotels adapt to the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence-driven travel discovery.
As travellers increasingly shift from traditional search engines to AI-powered platforms for hotel recommendations and itinerary planning, hotels face growing challenges in maintaining visibility and competitiveness. Marketinn aims to bridge this gap by enabling hotels to strengthen AI discoverability, reduce dependence on online travel agencies (OTAs), and increase direct bookings through data-driven strategies.
“Hoteliers today must face a simple truth: AI visibility is the new baseline for survival,” said Edwin Saldanha, Founder and Chief Solutions Officer of Marketinn. “Independent hotels have the data, but often lack the roadmap. Marketinn bridges that gap by combining digital visibility, direct booking strategy, and AI discovery to deliver measurable results.”
Industry Expertise Backing the Venture
Saldanha brings over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with leading brands such as Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Stamford Hotels and Resorts. Most recently, he served as Marketing Director at STAAH, where he played a key role in expanding the platform’s global footprint from a few hundred properties to more than 30,000 partners.
Key Offerings
Marketinn’s solutions are designed to help hotels navigate digital complexity and unlock revenue opportunities:
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AI Visibility & Digital Intelligence Audit: Comprehensive analysis of a hotel’s presence across AI platforms, search engines, OTA channels, and direct booking systems, including a proprietary Digital Intelligence Score.
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Digital Revenue Strategy: Tailored strategies to strengthen online visibility and maximize direct bookings.
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Implementation Support: End-to-end execution to convert insights into measurable improvements in traffic and revenue.
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Revenue Leak Detector: Identification of hidden inefficiencies such as OTA dominance in search results and weak website conversion paths that impact direct bookings.
Addressing a Critical Industry Shift
With AI rapidly reshaping travel discovery and booking behavior, Marketinn positions itself as a strategic partner for hotels seeking to remain competitive in a digital-first landscape. By combining industry expertise with advanced analytics, the platform empowers independent hotels to achieve revenue optimization comparable to large hospitality chains.
17, Mar 2026
Wama’s Newest Exhibition Unearths The Mysterious World Beneath Our Feet
WAMA’s newest exhibition, Entanglements with Fungi: Life, Death and Renewal, is opening at the National Centre for Environmental Art on March 21. This exhibition brings together a group of multidisciplinary artists who explore the Kingdom Fungi, a mysterious underworld that acts as the bridge between interspecies life.
Through a compelling mix of reflections on art, science, history, and politics, Entanglements with Fungi: Life, Death and Renewal focuses on the cycles of life, death, and renewal that exist within this hidden kingdom.
The multi-sensory exhibition features a mix of traditional and experimental projects. Highlights include works created from local earth and materials created through the fungus recycling process, paintings based on data that tracks how mushrooms grow, and an artists’ book that stretches eight metres across the gallery.
The gallery also features digital projections of the forest floor, sound installations made from recordings of tree roots and soil, and live experiments where sensors track the movement of growing fungi.
“The artists invite you to imagine what it might feel like to see, or hear, or smell, through the nurturing exchanges between species which are often remote from the immediacy of our human senses. They ask you to imagine what it might feel like to be something other than human,” says exhibition curator Dr Felicity Spear.
Neither plant nor animal, fungi underpin all ecosystems, living in water, on trees, in the air, and even on our bodies. Their networks span kilometres and they are linked to every function on the planet, from food security to pharmaceutical medicines. Despite this, they remain largely misunderstood and their future is threatened by the impact of human influences.
“WAMA at Gariwerd is building a bridge between nature and culture, prompting us to think about human culture not as separate from, but intertwined with Earth’s hidden networks and ecological systems, mutually shaping each other,” says Spear.
Exhibiting artists include UK environmental artist Chris Drury, sound artist Vicki Hallett, environmental photographer Alison Pouliot and handmade book and digital collage artists Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison.
Other artists include Sam Leach, Chris Henschke, Debbie Symons, and the curator herself, Felicity Spear.
Situated at the foothills of Gariwerd/Grampians National Park, WAMA offers a distinctive new cultural experience that unites contemporary art and environmental consciousness across a 16-hectare precinct and includes the Gariwerd Endemic Botanic Garden and Jallukar Native Grasslands alongside the National Centre for Environmental Art – Australia’s only institution dedicated exclusively to the intersection of art and the environment.
EXHIBITION LAUNCH EVENT
Mushroom Masterclass with Alison Pouliot
Saturday 21 March 10am to 12.30pm
This hands-on workshop is designed to change the way the forest floor is seen. Learn the basics of mushroom identification, how to tell edible species from toxic look-alikes, and where to find the most interesting fungi in the wild.
Tickets are extremely limited, $75.
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17, Mar 2026
10 Coolest Hill Station Road Trips to Escape the Summer Heat
By- Manoj Soni, CEO of YoloBus & and EasyGreenMobility
Travellers seeking shelter from the intense summertime heat in India are increasingly turning to hill stations as a preferred vacation option. Growing interest in road trips and the improving connectivity between cities have made it easier to access these destinations and enjoy cooler climates.
In this article, we highlight five refreshing road trip destinations that offer a welcome escape from the sweltering summer heat, where visitors can soak in scenic mountain landscapes while enjoying a much-needed break.
Why These Hill Stations Are Perfect for Summer
Why These Hill Stations Are Ideal Places To Visit During The Summer? These areas offer the right combination of cooler weather, spectacular scenery and relaxing experiences, making them ideal locations to escape from hot summer days. In addition, getting to these hill stations has never been easier than using YoloBus, which allows for quick and comfortable inter-city transport allowing for memorable trips to the hills.
1. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
A very popular vacation spot, known for great mountain views (the Himalayas), lots of outdoor activities (anchoring, mountain climbing, etc.), and the strong coffee culture in cafes and restaurants. The drive from Delhi is approximately 12-14 hours.
2. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The charm of the colonial buildings, the pine trees covering the hills, and the many shops/restaurants on Mall Road along with the cool mountain air makes it an ideal destination. The drive from Delhi or Chandigarh is approximately 9–10 hours. The drive from the plains begins as flat plains, then turns into winding roads before arriving at the hill towns.
3. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie is a popular hill station, also referred to as the Queen of the Hills. It’s known for its mist-shrouded mountains, waterfalls and breathtaking views of the valley and mountains. Mussoorie is approximately a seven to eight hour drive from New Delhi, making it a very popular weekend getaway.
4. Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital, which surrounds Naini Lake, is covered with forests and is known for its boating, walking and relaxing holiday possibilities. A person leaving from New Delhi will arrive in Nainital in approximately 7 to 8 hours.
5. Dharamshala & McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala and McLeodganj, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, are popular destinations because of their Tibetan monasteries, spiritual atmosphere and beautiful scenery. It takes approximately a 10 to 12-hour drive from New Delhi to reach there; therefore, it would be an ideal overnight trip by car to visit these locations.
6. Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Ooty (known as Queen of the Nilgiris) is especially known for its lush green rolling tea plantations, great weather and picturesque views. A traveller from Bengaluru can reach Ooty in a little over 7 hours by car; this makes Ooty a favourite summer retreat in South India.
7. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal is the “Princess of Hill Stations”. Kodaikanal is surrounded by steep mountain valleys, serene lakes and a lush pine forest. A traveller will typically take about 9 to 10 hours to travel to Kodaikanal from either Bengaluru or Chennai; therefore, it is a wonderful opportunity for an escape from the Taj Mahal.
8. Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka
Coorg is a scenic hill district that features coffee plantations, an abundance of greenery, beautiful waterfalls, etc. About 6 to 7 hours away from Bangalore by road, it’s a popular quick getaway for people who want to experience the beauty of nature.
9. Yercaud, Tamil Nadu
This quaint little hill station is located in the Eastern Ghats and has a very beautiful lake, fantastic view points and a mild climate. People can reach this hill station from Bangalore in 5 to 6 hours; therefore, it would make a great location to escape for a short trip.
10. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan, and as such provides a welcome relief to the desert-like environment around it. The temperature at Mount Abu is cool, making it a great place to spend some time resting, enjoying the view from Nakki Lake and visiting the magnificent Dilwara Temples. Mount Abu is located about 11 to 12 hours by road from either Delhi or Jaipur.
17, Mar 2026
Dr Sahajal Dhooria from PGIMER, Chandigarh, honoured with prestigious Medical & Healthcare Excellence Awards by Sitaram Jaipuria Foundation
Chandigarh, Mar 17th: Dr Sahajal Dhooria from PGIMER, Chandigarh, was honoured with the prestigious Emerging Young Leader in Medicine and Healthcare Award in the third edition of Medical & Healthcare Excellence Awards hosted by Sitaram Jaipuria Foundation. Awards totalling INR 90 lakhs were presented to distinguished doctors whose work continues to strengthen India’s healthcare ecosystem and inspire the medical community.
The awards ceremony was held in New Delhi as part of the SJF Scientific Symposium and Awards Program. The day-long symposium, organized to commemorate the Birth Centenary of Late Shri Sitaram Jaipuria, brought together leading voices from the medical fraternity for discussions and knowledge exchange on the theme “Obesity, Diabetes, and Other Cardiometabolic Diseases.”
Hosted by Sitaram Jaipuria Foundation and Chaired by Mr. Ashok Jaipuria, Chairman, SJF and Chairman & Managing Director, Cosmo First Ltd., the event brought together eminent doctors, researchers, and healthcare leaders to deliberate on emerging challenges and innovations in healthcare. The evening concluded with the Medical & Healthcare Excellence Awards ceremony, celebrating individuals whose dedication and leadership are shaping the future of healthcare in India and beyond.
Instituted to recognize exceptional achievements in medicine and healthcare, the awards honour professionals who have demonstrated excellence across areas such as clinical practice, medical research, rural healthcare delivery, public health leadership, and specialised treatment advancements. The initiative reflects the Foundation’s continued commitment to acknowledging individuals who have devoted their lives to advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ashok Jaipuria, Chairman, Sitaram Jaipuria Foundation and Chairman & Managing Director, Cosmo First Ltd., said, “Guided by the humanitarian values of my father, Shri Sitaram Jaipuria, we are glad to recognize the extraordinary contributions of members of the medical community. The doctors being felicitated today have dedicated their lives to advancing healthcare and improving the lives of countless individuals. Their sheer commitment, compassion, and pursuit of excellence truly reflect the noble spirit of the medical profession.”
Other winners of the Medical & Healthcare Excellence Awards are:
1. Excellence in Medicine and Healthcare Award: Prof. (Dr) Vinod K. Paul – Member (Health), NITI Aayog, and Former Professor & Head of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- Exemplary Leadership in Rural Medicine and Healthcare Award:
· Dr Himmatrao Saluba Bawaskar – Medical Director, Bawaskar Hospital & Clinical Research Centre, Mahad, Maharashtra
· Dr Sadanand Dagadu Raut – Consultant Physician & Director, Vighnahar Nursing Home, Narayangaon, Maharashtra
- Smt. Gayatri Jaipuria Women’s Medicine and Healthcare Excellence Award: Dr Thara Rangaswamy – Co-founder & Vice-chairperson, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), Chennai
- Shri Ashwini Kumar Award for Healthcare Excellence in Diabetes and Obesity Care: Dr V. Mohan – Chairman, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre & The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai
“Through the Medical & Healthcare Excellence Awards, we express our sincere appreciation to these healthcare professionals who tirelessly serve the society, often placing the well-being of others above their own. This recognition stands as a tribute to their dedication and a reminder that their invaluable service to humanity is deeply respected and acknowledged,” Jaipuria added.
The third edition drew attention with 476 entries and 233 applications, demonstrating commitment to recognizing exceptional contributions. The event also featured a special session titled “Celebrating Excellence: Featuring Previous Edition Awardees,” where distinguished doctors including Prof. (Dr) Raman Krishna Kumar, Dr Ashish Satav, Prof. (Dr) Jeyaraj Durai Pandian, and Prof. (Dr) Pratibha Singhi from earlier editions reflected on their journeys in advancing healthcare and highlighted the evolving challenges and opportunities in the medical and healthcare field.
17, Mar 2026
Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Knowledge, crucial to achieve sustainability aver experts at Amity
Mar 17: Amity School of Economics, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida campus is organizing its 9th National Conference on the theme “Integrating Diverse Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Dynamic Advancement of Sustainable Development Goals” from 16th-17th March, 2026.
Addressing the students during the Inaugural Session, Ms. Shikha Rai, MLA(Delhi), Bhartiya Janta Party, averred, “Sustainability cannot exist without wisdom and therefore, every citizen needs to be extremely careful, wise and responsible, so as to safeguard the planet. Tribal communities have developed agricultural and ecological practices that sustain both livelihoods and ecosystem. These communities inherited sustainability as a way of life. India is building ancient sustainable systems into modern governance. Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Ministers, India has taken crucial steps in combining ancient wisdom with modern innovation. Therefore, India has launched global missions like “Mission Life” which encourages sustainable living inspired by traditional values. The well- being of humanity and the well-being of nature are inseparable, this is why India model of development is based on “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas.”
Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Director, National Accounts Division, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), said, “If we have to make things sustainable, we must go local and focus on indigenous development, at grassroot level. Traditional knowledge needs to be combined with policy framework, which can be helpful in removing the challenges and obstacles. We need to work on rediscovering traditional medicines since we know the harmful effects of antibiotics on human body. Also, there is a need to brainstorm about how we can revive ancient wisdom and apply it in the present context.”
Mr. Antony Cyriac, Additional Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, stated, “When a country is capital deficient, skilled labour cannot flow. Therefore, skill development is essential for making the country economically strong and we need to develop our own systems of resilience. We must know the stage of development in order to make further development in all areas. Ancient wisdom is important, however, we should not be dependent on ancient wisdom for development, rather we must integrate it with modern practices.”
Mr. Atul Kharate, Chief Operating Officer, Indian Oil Adani Ventures, opined, “There is only 6.8% contribution by India in cleaner use of fossil fuels which needs to be increased. Conservation of fossil fuels, biogas and renewable energy are required to achieve a sustainable economy. We should be committed to holistic energy conservation system which includes a comprehensive approach to saving energy, thereby contributing to sustainability.”
Keynote Speaker, Ms. Tanushri Roy, Policy Consultant, Niti Aayog, asserted, “It is important to align traditional medicine with Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the initiatives which have been taken by the government to achieve sustainability include building traditional knowledge digital library, bringing back ayurveda and ancient systems of medicine, establishment of National Innovation Foundation which is working to strengthen technological innovations by integrating it with traditional knowledge, adopting chemical-free agriculture practices, participation of tribal communities in various sectors and many other initiatives. We all must support these initiatives of the government and make our own contribution towards achieving sustainability.”
Welcoming the guests, Prof. (Dr.) Kavita Indapurkar, Assistant Director, Amity School of Economics, said “The Conference will demonstrate the role of Indigenous Knowledge systems for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. It will also help in facilitating interdisciplinary studies between heritage, science and sustainability in the light of Indian ethos, by providing a national platform to bring together policymakers, practitioners and innovators towards achieving SDGs.”
During the two-day Conference, Technical Sessions on “Integrating Diverse IKS for Dynamic Advancement of Sustainable Development Goals: A Global and Inclusive Approach”, “Enabled Digital Finance and Accounting: Inclusion, Sustainability, and Transparency, “Inspired Governance and Public Service Innovation: Sustainability, Inclusion, and Digital Transformation in a Global Framework”, “Infused Tech Solutions for Sustainable Socio-Economic Progress”, and many others will be conducted.
17, Mar 2026
Retail Digital Payments Surge to Over 22,000 Crore Transactions in FY25: Finance Minister
New Delhi, March 17: India’s retail digital payment transactions have witnessed rapid growth over the past four financial years, driven by coordinated efforts of the government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the government informed the Lok Sabha.
In a written reply, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance, said the total volume of retail digital payments rose from 7,176.90 crore transactions in FY 2021–22 to 22,167.90 crore transactions in FY 2024–25.
During the same period, the value of transactions increased from ₹457.44 lakh crore in FY 2021–22 to ₹849.12 lakh crore in FY 2024–25, reflecting sustained expansion in India’s digital payments ecosystem.
According to the data shared in Parliament, digital payments recorded 58.42 percent growth in volume and 28.41 percent growth in value in FY 2022–23, followed by 44.39 percent and 22.47 percent growth respectively in FY 2023–24. In FY 2024–25, transactions continued to rise with 35.04 percent growth in volume and 18.04 percent growth in value.
Among various digital payment modes, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) accounted for 81 percent of total retail digital payments in FY 2024–25, making it the largest real-time retail payment system in the world.
The growth of digital payments has been supported by factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, Aadhaar-enabled authentication, e-KYC, expanded financial inclusion, and wider merchant acceptance infrastructure across urban and rural areas. India’s digital public infrastructure has also enabled interoperability and simplified onboarding processes for users.
Government initiatives such as the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Digital Payments and the Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) have further supported the expansion of digital payment systems.
The Finance Minister noted that the rise in digital payments has also brought challenges including cybersecurity risks, digital literacy gaps, network issues and user awareness, though no specific concerns related to Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have been reported.
To combat digital financial fraud, the government, RBI and NPCI have implemented several safeguards, including device binding between mobile numbers and devices, two-factor authentication through PIN, daily transaction limits and restrictions on certain use cases. NPCI has also introduced an AI and machine learning-based fraud monitoring system to detect suspicious transactions.
Citizens can report cybercrime incidents, including financial fraud, through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and the National Cybercrime Helpline number 1930, launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Additionally, the Department of Telecommunications has introduced the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and the “Chakshu” facility, enabling people to report suspicious communications received through calls, SMS, or WhatsApp.
To improve digital payment infrastructure in rural and remote areas, the PIDF initiative has supported the deployment of about 5.80 crore digital touchpoints and nearly 56.86 crore QR codes across the country.
For users in low-connectivity regions and feature phone users, NPCI has introduced UPI 123PAY, which allows payments through interactive voice response (IVR) and sound-based proximity payments, and Hello UPI, which enables conversational digital payments.
The government has also focused on improving financial literacy. As of March 31, 2025, a total of 2,421 Centres for Financial Literacy (CFLs) have been established across India, each covering three blocks. In addition, Financial Literacy Week, observed annually since 2016, continues to promote awareness about safe and responsible use of digital financial services.
17, Mar 2026
National Mission on Libraries Strengthens Digital Access and Upgrades Library Infrastructure Across India
New Delhi, March 17: The National Mission on Libraries (NML) is progressing across multiple components aimed at strengthening library infrastructure, digital access to knowledge, and capacity building of library professionals across India, the government informed in the Lok Sabha.
In a written reply, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, said the mission operates through four key components, including the National Virtual Library of India, model libraries, library surveys, and capacity-building programmes.
Digital Knowledge Access through NVLI
Under the National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) component, the Indian Culture Portal was launched in December 2019 to provide unified digital access to resources related to India’s cultural traditions, history, literature, arts and heritage.
The Version 2.0 of the portal, launched on March 5, 2026, introduces a modern architecture with a React-based frontend and Drupal backend, improving performance and scalability.
The upgraded portal features an AI-powered chatbot “Bharti”, integrated with the Government of India’s Bhashini language platform, enabling assistance in 22 Indian languages. It also offers advanced multi-level search, operates as a Progressive Web App, and includes 3D walkthroughs, virtual tours, 46 curated cultural categories, and interactive learning activities.
Model Libraries Across States
Under the Setting up of NML Model Libraries component, financial assistance has been sanctioned for 28 State Central Libraries, 41 District Libraries, and five libraries under the Ministry of Culture to upgrade facilities and services.
Libraries upgraded under the scheme are spread across states and union territories including Port Blair, Itanagar, Ambala, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhubaneswar, among others.
For instance, in Rajasthan, financial assistance has been provided to Dr. Radhakrishnan Rajya Kendriya Pustakalaya, Jaipur with ₹183.51 lakh sanctioned (₹94.81 lakh released) and Rajakiya Sarvajanik Mandal Pustakalaya, Kota with ₹63.46 lakh sanctioned (₹63.21 lakh released).
Survey and Capacity Building
The Quantitative and Qualitative Survey of Libraries component has been completed and the report has been accepted by the Ministry.
Under the Capacity Building Programme, 54 training programmes have been organised so far, training 2,465 library professionals from across the country.
State Responsibility for Libraries
The government clarified that libraries fall under the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, and therefore public libraries are managed by respective State and Union Territory authorities.
However, the NML scheme provides financial assistance for upgrading one State Central Library and one District Library in each State or Union Territory, based on recommendations from the concerned state authorities.
According to the government, a total of ₹8,671.01 lakh has been sanctioned under the mission, of which ₹6,716.56 lakh has been released so far for library development across the country.
The initiative aims to modernise India’s library ecosystem, expand digital knowledge access, and strengthen the country’s reading and research infrastructure.
