Tag: national

New Delhi [India], January 10: While national security discussions frequently stay within the realm of immediate news and political snippets, certain outlets are starting to concentrate on the deeper factors influencing India’s enduring internal equilibrium. A recent exchange on The Abhishek Doctrine, a digital venue recognized for its concentration on security and geopolitical dialogue, exemplified this trend.

In a recent segment, host Abhishek Sharma conversed with Ajay Sharma (JKPS), a serving SP Of Jammu South (Jammu & Kashmir). Their dialogue revolved around two linked concerns that persistently trouble security bodies nationwide: the trade in illicit drugs and the funding of terrorism.

The SP Dr. Ajay Sharma has talked in details about demographics, geographical and strategic importance of Jammu South Zone and Role of JKPS in busting Terror Fundings, Narco Terrorism and protecting India from New Sub Convention War

Elaborating on how drug networks have moved beyond simple criminal acts, becoming more entwined with organized and international factions. He pointed out that revenues from narcotics frequently feed into wider illicit money streams, some directed towards financing extremist endeavors. These connections, he observed, present an ongoing hurdle for law enforcement, demanding sustained, collaborative strategies over brief fixes.

The talk also explored the wider civic repercussions of these matters. The officer noted that narcotics not only compromise the wellbeing of the public but also erode social fabric by preying on younger and susceptible groups. Terrorist financing, utilizing clandestine routes, further muddies the security environment by obscuring the boundary between criminal enterprise and extremist belief.

A considerable portion of the exchange focused on India’s young populace. The officer utilized the forum to underline the necessity of awareness, prudent decision-making, and community involvement. He emphasized that well-informed and alert citizens are vital in opposing entities that exploit falsehoods, dependency, and social detachment.

These kinds of conversations signal a rising inclination towards balanced viewpoints on security matters, informed by frontline experience. By incorporating serving officials and experts into the public discourse, venues such as The Abhishek Doctrine are fostering a more substantive grasp of India’s domestic security dilemmas extending past the urgency of daily reports.

If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at pr.error.rectification@gmail.com. We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 10: India isn’t quietly travelling anymore. It’s moving loudly, deliberately, and in numbers Asia-Pacific tourism boards can’t afford to misread.

Something has shifted. Not subtly. Not politely. Indian travellers are stepping out with intent, and the Asia-Pacific region is adjusting in real time.

This is no longer about aspirational posters or polite roadshows. It’s about targets. Hard numbers. And strategies rewritten mid-flight.

South Korea saw more than 187,000 Indian visitors between January and November 2025. By year-end, that figure likely crossed 200,000, right on cue with official targets. For 2026, the ambition jumps again. A clean 250,000 Indian arrivals. No hedging.

What’s changed isn’t just volume. It’s behaviour. Indian travellers in Korea are drifting away from checklist tourism. They want regional towns. Street food. Seasonal rhythms. A sense of how people actually live. Less posing. More participation.

Japan is reading the same signals. The Japan National Tourism Organization is deliberately pulling Indian attention away from the usual Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka loop. New names are entering the pitch. Sendai. Nikko. Matsumoto. Kanazawa. Nara. Places that don’t shout but reward patience.

Hokkaido and Okinawa are climbing the interest ladder too. Kyushu is next. Japan already knows Sakura season alone won’t sustain growth. Snow destinations matter. Golf matters. Off-season travel matters. Indian tourists are staying curious longer.

Australia, on the other hand, is leaning into spectacle. Tourism Research Australia expects nearly 492,000 Indian arrivals in 2026, a 6.4 percent rise over last year. The bet is simple. Big events pull big crowds.

The Australian Open. Formula 1. Vivid Sydney. Mardi Gras. Dark Mofo in Tasmania. These aren’t just calendar fillers. They’re anchors. For Indian travellers weighing long-haul costs, an event-packed itinerary makes the math easier.

Thailand remains India’s old favourite, but it’s clearly refusing to coast. Around 2.55 million Indian tourists are expected this year. To protect that pipeline, Thailand is pushing deeper trade engagement across Indian cities. Roadshows. Familiarisation trips. New destination storytelling.

The message is shifting. Bangkok and Phuket still sell, but novelty now seals the deal. Repeat travellers want fresh corners, not recycled itineraries.

Singapore is watching India with a strategist’s calm. Indian travel styles are evolving fast, and Singapore Tourism Board is responding by tightening collaborations with travel intermediaries, Indian brands, creators, and Bollywood. It’s less about shouting. More about staying culturally plugged in.

Then there’s the scale of the outbound engine itself. In just the July to September quarter of 2025, about 8.39 million Indians travelled abroad. In the same period, India received 1.92 million foreign tourists. The contrast is blunt.

Outbound heavyweights remain familiar. UAE. Saudi Arabia. Thailand. The US. The UK. Short-haul convenience meets long-haul aspiration. And both are growing.

Visa friction, or the lack of it, is quietly doing the heavy lifting. Easier visas, affordable airfares, and experience density are pushing short-haul demand higher. Remove paperwork anxiety and Indian travellers respond almost instantly.

China’s re-entry is another signal. With direct flights resuming, interest is building again, especially for group travel, MICE segments, and cultural circuits. It’s cautious, but noticeable.

Looking ahead to 2026, Indian travellers are getting sharper with value. Not cheaper. Sharper. Destinations that offer difference without drama are winning attention.

Greece is gaining traction, helped by direct flights from low-cost carriers. Georgia is pulling interest through wine trails and energetic city life at accessible prices. The Philippines is benefiting from visa-free entry and the promise of spontaneous, experience-led travel.

What ties all of this together is confidence. Indian travellers aren’t asking for permission anymore. They expect destinations to meet them halfway. Better access. Better storytelling. Better understanding.

Asia-Pacific has noticed. And it’s reacting faster than ever.

Read More

New Delhi [India], January 9: India has the first human spaceflight programme called the Gaganyaan Mission. Its objective is precise. Introduce Indian astronauts into the low Earth orbit of approximately 400 kilometres. Have three days with them. Return them to the safety of the Indian sea.

No shortcuts. No borrowed rockets. No shared flags.

It has been made clear by the ISRO Chairman, S Somanath. This mission is concerning the ability to show. In case successful, India is a member of an exclusive club. This has not been done previously except by the Soviet Union, the United States, and China.

This is not symbolism. This is systems engineering.

Why 2026 Matters

In line with ISRO, the first human-crewed Gaganyaan launch is expected to take place by the end of 2026.

Prior to that, three uncrewed missions should be successful. No exceptions.

The initial uncrewed flight will take place at the beginning of next year. It was supposed to be held in December but was rescheduled due to technical issues. That delay is not a setback. It is discipline.

There is no optimism in human spaceflight.

 

The Rocket Is Ready. The Tests Come First

ISRO has ensured that the launch vehicle is prepared. That is not marketing language. It is an indication that the underlying hardware has been developed, assembled, and is in testing.

The only thing left is to demonstrate reliability during several test missions.

Three uncrewed launch flights will precede the astronauts. Rehearsal is not part of these missions. They are gatekeepers.

When the three are successful, the green light for the human mission can be given.

Vyommitra Goes First

Vyommitra will be in the first uncrewed mission.

Vyommitra is not a mascot. It is a humanoid robot that is aimed at imitating the human situation in space. It will control module parameters, environmental controls and mission sequences.

If Vyammitra fails, the astronauts wait.

That is how serious this is.

Astronauts Are Named. Training Is On

India has already given names to their astronaut-designates.

Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap, Ajit Krishnan and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla are the ones.

The names are not ritual names. They are actively involved in mission preparedness.

Training is ongoing. Familiarisation of the systems, simulation of missions, and emergency procedures. The low churn that seldom breaks the news.

It is there that spaceflight is won in reality.

July 2025 Propulsion Milestone in the Gaganyaan Mission

ISRO made a silent breakthrough on July 3, 2025.

Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System Two hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System were successfully made at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri.

One test ran for 30 seconds. The other for 100 seconds.

The findings were in line with pre test predictions.

This is important since the SMPS is an essential system. It deals with orbital manoeuvring and abort situations. Abort systems are not supplementary in human spaceflight. They are lifelines.

The system has five Liquid Apogee Motor engines, each generating 440 Newtons of thrust and sixteen Reaction Control System thrusters, each generating 100 Newtons.

In the extended test, ISRO has demonstrated that all thrusters and engines can operate in different modes simultaneously. Steady. Pulsed. Coordinated.

This is not progressive improvement. This is validation of confidence.

These findings have paved the way for a full-duration hot test followed by ISRO.

What is Different in The Gaganyaan Mission

The Gaganyaan Mission is not in the chase for headlines.

It is being constructed on conservative design margins, multi-redundancy, and incremental validation. That approach is slower. It is also a way of not attending funerals.

India is not racing anyone. It is credibility in engineering.

The approximate programme cost is approximately 90 billion. By the standards of human spaceflight around the world, that is small.

This is not cost efficiency in terms of corner-cutting. It concerns indigenous systems, in-house testing and institutional learning.

Cost, Capability and Credibility

If Gaganyaan is successful, India will be the fourth country to independently launch humans into space.

That changes perception.

It enhances India’s position in international space cooperation. It promotes strategic independence. It confirms the decades of popular investment in science and engineering.

More to the point, it instils internal confidence.

Large countries do difficult things when they feel they can.

Chandrayaan 4 and the Bigger ISRO Play

As Gaganyaan heads toward human spaceflight, ISRO is already strategising its next lunar leap.

The Chandrayaan 4 is approved by the government. The mission is bound to touch down near the south pole of the Moon once again. In this case, the objective is sample return.

That requires two launches. Space docking. Sample recovery. Earth returns.

ISRO has made the challenge. No individual rocket is currently available that can accommodate the required mass. The answer to this is orbital assembly.

This is not a mission undertaken by every country.

ISRO intends to try.

Everything about institutional ambition should be told by that.

What Gaganyaan Mission Means for India

The Gaganyaan Mission is not a high-profile project. It is a futuristic infrastructure.

The deep capability of human spaceflight is established in the fields of materials science, propulsion, avionics, life support, and systems integration. These applications are transferred to defence, aviation, medicine, and manufacturing.

In such a way, countries ascend the ladder of technology.

Quietly. Relentlessly.

ISRO hot tests Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System
https://www.isro.gov.in/Successful_hot_tests_Gaganyaan_SMPS.html

PNN news

New Delhi [India], January 9: The International Mental Health Policy Summit of the International Society for Mental Health Advocacy and Action (ISMHAA) commenced with a powerful call for collective responsibility, cultural rootedness, and systemic reform, signalling what many speakers described as the beginning of a sustained national movement rather than a standalone event.

A Welcome that Set the Moral Compass

The Summit formally opened with a deeply reflective Welcome Address by Dr Mahendra Kabra, RR Kabel, Founder Trustee Hema Foundation and chief patron of ISMHAA underscored that India stands at a critical inflection point in its mental health journey. Emphasising that mental health must be approached as a shared societal responsibility, he noted that the Summit represented a collective commitment to action, ethics, and long-term capacity building. Dr Kabra placed on record his appreciation for the dedication of mental health professionals working across disciplines and geographies, urging sustained collaboration between policy, practice, and community.

“Delightful insight on challenges faced by adolescents” doesn’t sound right because ’delightful’ implies- pleasant, enjoyable or joyful. But challenges faced by adolescents is a serious topic. Using “delightful” makes it sound insensitive or mismatched. Better options would be informative, thought-provoking, valuable, or meaningful insights.

Keynote Addresses: Re-imagining Mental Health for a Changing World

The Keynote Address by Dr Arthur C. Evans, CEO American Psychologist Association, delivered under the resonant theme “Hope is Healing”, set the intellectual and emotional tone for the Summit. Dr Evans called for a decisive shift from reactive, illness-centric models to holistic, preventive, and community-integrated systems of care. He emphasised the role of families, natural support systems, and cross-sector partnerships, asserting that mental health must be woven into everyday life rather than confined to clinical spaces. His address concluded with a compelling call to move from the absence of illness to the presence of wellbeing.

The second Invited guest Address by Dr Ann Vernon, focused on Social–Emotional Learning (SEL) as a foundational pillar of education policy. Drawing on international evidence, she demonstrated how SEL improves academic outcomes, emotional regulation, relationships, and long-term mental health, advocating its integration as a core, preventive curriculum from early schooling through adolescence.

In the third Invited guest Address by Dr Rainer Kurz introduced the “Great 8 Success Factors” framework, placing reasoning at the heart of human functioning. He articulated eight core capacities—ranging from investigating and creating to coping and supporting—as essential to resilience, adaptability, and sustained mental wellbeing in an increasingly complex world.

The fourth Invited guest Address by Dr Amool Ranjan Singh reinforced the urgency of promotion and prevention, particularly within schools. Stressing the primacy of parents and teachers in shaping children’s emotional resilience, he cautioned against over-reliance on technology and advocated a return to play, sports, culture, and human connection as protective factors for mental health.

Concluding Address by Dr. Jamuna Rajeswaran, NEP phasing out of M.Phil Clinical Psychology threatens training depth, workforce quality, and clinical capacity. Highlighted critical gaps: fragmented regulation, disrupted training, unregulated practice, weak research linkage, and severe manpower shortage. Strongly recommended a central, independent regulatory body to standardize training, licensing, ethics, and supervision, and to build national clinical capacity.

Presidential Address: From Awareness to Accountability

In a decisive Presidential Address, Dr Chinu Agrawal, Founder President, ISMHAA, articulated the ethical and regulatory imperatives confronting India’s mental health ecosystem. Calling for a shift from awareness to accountability, she emphasised the urgent need for strong governance, ethical practice, and public protection. Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital platforms, she cautioned that technology must be governed by human judgement rather than allowed to dictate care, warning against pseudoscience and misrepresentation in the mental health space.

Chief Guest’s Reflections: A Civilisational Perspective

The Chief Guest, Shri Manoj Joshi, described ISMHAA as a movement rooted in India’s civilisational wisdom. He reminded the gathering that mental health knowledge existed in Indian traditions long before modern psychology and warned that contemporary society risks becoming increasingly self-centred and disconnected. His address reinforced the Summit’s central message: mental health must remain about people, for people.

Panels, Lived Experience, and Collective Dialogue

The Summit featured a rich array of panel discussions, including “The Practice of Psychology: One-to-One to One-to-Many”, which explored scaling mental health impact through community engagement and preventive education, and “Gen Z Mental Health: Gaps, Pressures and Pathways”, which examined systemic stressors and proactive solutions for younger populations.

A deeply moving session titled “Heart Talks”, moderated by Dr Chinu Agrawal, foregrounded lived experience as a vital source of learning, calling for a culture of compassion, appreciation, and self-worth beyond achievement.

Research, Capacity Building, and Policy Action

The Summit also hosted multiple tracks of oral research presentations, round-table conferences, and a Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) workshop focused on adolescent mental health. A major highlight of the Valedictory Ceremony was the presentation of a White Paper to be submitted to the Parliamentary body of the Government of India, reinforcing the Summit’s commitment to translating dialogue into policy action.

The event concluded with awards recognising exemplary contributions to mental health advocacy and practice, followed by a closing address reaffirming hope, collaboration, and sustained action.

A Collective Commitment

As the Summit drew to a close, one message resonated unequivocally: India’s mental health future depends not on isolated initiatives, but on ethical leadership, cultural grounding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustained accountability. ISMHAA’s National Summit has laid the foundation for this journey—one rooted in hope, responsibility, and collective resolve.

If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at pr.error.rectification@gmail.com. We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.

New Delhi [India], January 8: The Bharat Pratibha Sammaan Council (BPSC) successfully organised the Pratibha Sammaan Samaroh – 2026, a distinguished national award ceremony dedicated to honouring exemplary Indians for their outstanding contributions to nation-building across a wide spectrum of disciplines. The ceremony was held on Monday, 05 January 2026, at the prestigious NDMC Convention Centre, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, and witnessed the presence of eminent dignitaries, senior professionals, academicians, social leaders, and members of the media.

The awards were conferred in a dignified, protocol-driven format inspired by the ethos and decorum of the Padma Awards, symbolising values of integrity, excellence, selfless service, and national pride. The honours were graciously presented by Maj Gen Yash Mor (SM), Former Additional Director General of the Indian Army and a noted national security expert, along with Dr. Uma Tuli Ji, Padma Shri awardee, renowned social worker, educationist, and Founder of the Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust. Their presence added immense prestige and inspiration to the ceremony.

The Pratibha Sammaan Samaroh – 2026 recognised 25 distinguished achievers across 14 categories, selected through a rigorous and transparent multi-stage evaluation process involving state-level screening and national jury review. The awardees included Dr. Reenaben J. Shah, Vivek Mehrotra, Dr. Raj Mohan Sharma, Vibha Singh, Meetesh Kumar, Doon Sainik School Dehradun, and Priyadarshani School for their exceptional contributions to Education; Gausia Khan and Dr. Divya Jyoti for their work in Education, Social Work, and Women Empowerment; Aashish Ranjan and Dr. Satyendra Kumar for excellence in Science & Engineering; Shivam Malaviya for contributions to Science & Technology (Cyber Security); Dr. Vijay Vinayak Vichare for his achievements in Biotechnology & Life Sciences; Neeraj Pal and Parvathy Ananthanarayanan Mangala for their work in Art, Culture, and Literature; Yojana Gharat, Girish Satra, Jigna Sheth, Manish Parakh, and Shailendra Kumar Rajak for dedicated service in Social Work, Social Commitment, and Philanthropy; Dr. Bikram Kar for contributions in Astrology (Vedic & Palmistry); Satyam Neema Bihari and Bijendra Pal for excellence in Agriculture, Rural Development, and Agricultural Research; and Bandikalla Pradeep Narayan for excellence in Prodigy and Child Development.

Established in 2023, the Bharat Pratibha Sammaan Council (BPSC) is a nationally registered organisation committed to identifying and honouring grassroots achievers, innovators, educators, social reformers, and cultural torchbearers. To date, BPSC has honoured over 120 national talents, with nearly 60 per cent awardees from rural India, reflecting its strong commitment to inclusivity, women empowerment, innovation, education, and cultural excellence.

Continuing its proud legacy of hosting eminent national personalities such as Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, Dr. Kiran Bedi, and Shri Anurag Thakur, the 2026 edition once again reaffirmed BPSC’s enduring mission—to celebrate India’s talent with dignity, transparency, and a deep sense of national spirit.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at pr.error.rectification@gmail.com. We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.

New Delhi [India], January 8: Some places are stone and mortar. Somnath is memory, muscle, and moral spine. As Somnath Swabhiman Parv begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking the nation to remember exactly that.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv officially commenced today, and with it came a message that cut through ceremony and nostalgia alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the nation, framing the occasion not as a ritual, but as a civilisational checkpoint. One that India has crossed, fallen at, rebuilt, and crossed again. Repeatedly.

The Prime Minister recalled that January 1026 marked the first attack on the Somnath Temple. It wasn’t the last. History records multiple assaults across centuries. Yet Somnath never vanished. It lingered in belief, in stories, in stubborn faith. And eventually, it rose again. Every single time.

That, PM Modi suggested, is the point of Somnath Swabhiman Parv.

Jai Somnath!

Somnath Swabhiman Parv begins today. A thousand years ago, in January 1026, Somnath faced its first ever attack. The attack of 1026 and the subsequent attacks couldn’t diminish the eternal faith of millions, nor break the civilisational spirit that rebuilt Somnath… pic.twitter.com/pfWqup532l

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 8, 2026

Somnath Swabhiman Parv is not Nostalgia. It’s Resolve.

According to the Prime Minister, Somnath Swabhiman Parv is about remembering the countless children of Bharat Mata who refused to compromise. Not on principles. Not on ethos. Not even when the odds were brutal.

His words were blunt and deliberate. The attacks did not break the faith of millions. They did not erase the civilisational spirit that rebuilt Somnath again and again. That spirit, PM Modi implied, is still alive. Still relevant. Still necessary.

This is where Somnath Swabhiman Parv moves beyond history textbooks. It becomes about continuity. About the idea that civilisation is not inherited passively. It is defended, rebuilt, and reaffirmed.

A thousand years later, the message lands with precision.

A temple rebuilt, a nation reaffirmed

PM Modi also looked back at a defining modern chapter in Somnath’s story. On 31 October 2001, a major programme was held at Somnath to mark 50 years since the rebuilt temple opened its doors in 1951. That reopening, attended by India’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad, was itself a statement. Quiet, constitutional, and firm.

The reconstruction of Somnath did not happen in isolation. PM Modi highlighted the pivotal role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, KM Munshi, and several others who ensured the temple’s revival after Independence. This wasn’t about symbolism alone. It was about restoring civilisational confidence in a newly free nation.

The 2001 programme also coincided with the 125th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The guest list reflected the gravity of the moment. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani. Senior leaders. Public figures. A collective acknowledgement that Somnath mattered. Still does.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv, in that sense, stitches together 1026, 1951, 2001, and now 2026. Different centuries. Same spine.

Why 2026 matters?

Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the year ahead. 2026 will mark 75 years since the grand rededication ceremony of 1951. Three-quarters of a century since Somnath was formally returned to the nation as a living temple, not a relic.

PM Modi was clear. This milestone is not just about architecture or restoration. It is about the indomitable spirit of Indian civilisation. A spirit that absorbs shocks, refuses erasure, and keeps moving forward.

In today’s India, where cultural confidence is increasingly part of public discourse, Somnath Swabhiman Parv fits squarely into the larger narrative. It reinforces the idea that heritage is not ornamental. It is foundational.

The Prime Minister’s Subhashitam and its quiet message

Alongside the greetings, PM Modi shared a Subhashitam, a traditional Sanskrit verse, praying for the welfare of all citizens. It was understated. No theatrics. Just a reminder that India’s civilisational vocabulary has always balanced strength with collective well-being.

That balance matters. Somnath Swabhiman Parv is not framed as exclusionary. It is framed as civilisational memory with universal welfare at its core.

Social media, memory, and modern participation

In a series of posts on X, the Prime Minister shared glimpses from his previous visits to Somnath. He invited citizens to do the same, encouraging them to share their own memories using the hashtag #SomnathSwabhimanParv.

This wasn’t incidental. It was participatory history. A way of saying that Somnath does not belong to archives or officials alone. It belongs to devotees, travellers, families, and first-time visitors who stood quietly before the sea-facing shrine and felt something difficult to explain.

The posts revisited the attack of 1026, the repeated assaults that followed, and the fact that none of them succeeded in extinguishing faith. The tone was firm, not angry. Reflective, not defensive.

That restraint is deliberate. It keeps the focus on resilience, not grievance.

Why does Somnath still speak?

For India, Somnath is not an isolated monument in Gujarat. It is part of a larger conversation about civilisational continuity. About remembering without becoming trapped by resentment. About rebuilding without forgetting why rebuilding was necessary.

In an era where identity debates are loud and often messy, Somnath Swabhiman Parv offers a quieter anchor. It says pride does not require shouting. Memory does not require bitterness. Resolve does not require an apology.

Read More

New Delhi [India], January 6: On January 5 and 6, 2026, the IndiaAI Mission, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Government of Assam and IIT Guwahati held a two-day Human Capital Working Group meeting. On paper, it appeared as yet another policy consultation. At ground level, it was a fresh start.

It did not involve selling AI as a silver bullet. It was about asking embarrassing questions. Who benefits from AI? Who gets displaced? Who gets left behind when there is not enough speed, and who gets trampled when there are no guardrails?

The discussions will directly contribute to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which will take place in New Delhi. That fact alone signals seriousness. Human capital is no longer a periphery. It is the spine.

Guwahati as the Policy Testbed

There is symbolism in Assam hosting this meeting. India’s AI policy has been metro-heavy. New Delhi drafts. Bengaluru builds—Hyderabad scales. Holding national AI human capital talks in Guwahati turns that equation on its head.

Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, set the pace. He positioned the institute not just as a technology hub, but as a gathering ground where policy, academia, industry and students intersect. Student involvement was not cosmetic. It reflected a generation that understands AI will shape their jobs whether policymakers like it or not.

It was also here that regional perspectives entered national policy thinking. Northeast India is not an AI appendix. It is an inclusion-and-adoption test case.

Human Capital and Lifelong Learning: The Big Pivot

If there was one phrase repeated across sessions, it was this: skilling is not enough.

Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Chair of the Human Capital Working Group, was direct. Piecemeal skilling programmes will not survive the AI economy. India needs lifelong learning ecosystems that value flexibility, judgment and human-centred capabilities alongside technical skills.

Translation: teaching Python once and calling it future-ready is a bad joke.

The focus shifted from automation to augmentation. AI should expand human capability, not replace it. This is not only a philosophical shift, but an economic one. Given India’s workforce scale, mass displacement is not hypothetical. It is a political and social reality.

This concern was reinforced by Shri K. S. Gopinath Narayan, Principal Secretary (IT), Government of Assam, who cautioned that unchecked automation could widen inequalities across regions and sectors. His emphasis on micro-skilling, continuous learning and AI literacy framed these not as elite skills, but as public capabilities.

India AI, the Global South and the Sovereignty Question

Ms Shikha Dahiya, Joint Director, IndiaAI, explained why the India AI Impact Summit 2026 matters beyond India. It is not just about domestic readiness, but about shaping a Global South narrative on AI.

IndiaAI’s work on compute capacity, indigenous datasets and homegrown models was positioned as foundational to human capital development. Without sovereign AI infrastructure, human capital strategies risk collapsing into dependency.

This matters because AI power is already concentrated globally. Shri Syedain Abbasi, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, did not soften his words. AI today is not merely a tool, but an autonomous agent. That changes the risk profile entirely.

He also voiced what many policy rooms avoid acknowledging. India’s traditional IT and outsourcing employment model is vulnerable. If AI capability remains concentrated among a few global players, job erosion will not be gradual. It will be abrupt.

The response, as discussed, lies in indigenous computing, public–private collaboration and differentiated skilling pathways across education levels.

Human Capital and Gender Inclusion in the AI Workforce

One of the most grounded discussions focused on gender-responsive strategies for the AI transition. This was not a checkbox session.

Panellists highlighted risks already visible on the ground—automation of entry-level roles with high female participation. Wage gaps widened by unequal access to AI skills—bias embedded in data and algorithms.

The message was consistent. Inclusion cannot be retrofitted. It must be built into AI systems, skilling programmes and adoption strategies from the start.

Moderated by Ms. Arpitha Desai of The Asia Group, the panel brought together voices from government, industry and academia. The focus was on explainable AI, adoption-led reskilling and ecosystem-driven policy interventions. Not slogans. Systems.

Reinventing Education for the Cognitive Age

Perhaps the most consequential session centred on education reform. The term “cognitive age” was used deliberately.

The panel on redefining education examined how AI is reshaping learning objectives, pedagogy and assessment. Rote memorisation was declared obsolete. Process-oriented and cognitive learning took centre stage.

Used well, AI can personalise learning and reduce administrative burdens on teachers. Used poorly, it can reduce education to scaled content consumption.

Panellists stressed the need for human-centric, community-tested AI tools and closer alignment between education systems and fast-evolving industry requirements. Adaptability, critical thinking, collaboration and lifelong learning emerged as non-negotiables.

This is where India’s demographic advantage will either compound or collapse.

Human Capital Implications for the India AI Impact Summit 2026

The Guwahati meeting is not an end in itself. It is a funnel.

Its outcomes will be consolidated into recommendations that inform national policy decisions and global-level discussions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. That summit will culminate in leaders’ plenaries and working group outcomes in New Delhi.

The throughline is unmistakable. India is positioning human capital not as collateral damage of AI, but as its primary beneficiary.

This aligns squarely with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Growth without dignity is not development. AI without inclusion is not progress.

India AI Impact Summit 2026
India AI Impact Summit 2026 – official summit portal

Official IndiaAI Mission 
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology – IndiaAI Mission official page

PNN News

New Delhi [India], January 6: For decades, power distribution was the weakest link in India’s energy chain. Now, after years of bruising reforms, the numbers are finally blinking green.

Power distribution sits where ambition meets reality. You can build solar parks, commission wind farms, and talk up electric mobility all day. But if distribution utilities bleed cash and leak power, the system collapses quietly. That has been India’s recurring problem.

High Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses. Chronic debt. Endless bailouts. And a reputation for being reform-proof.

Something has shifted.

The India power distribution sector turnaround is no longer a policy slide or a hopeful projection. FY 2024–25 numbers show measurable change. Not cosmetic. Structural.

Why the Distribution Sector Matters More Than Ever

India’s clean energy target of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity isn’t just about generation. It depends on whether distribution utilities can absorb variable renewables, manage decentralised grids, and support electric mobility without blowing financial fuses.

DISCOMs are the gatekeepers. If they’re weak, renewable integration stalls. If they’re broke, grid upgrades don’t happen. If they’re opaque, investors stay cautious.

That’s why the government’s reform strategy has focused relentlessly on distribution. Not glamorous. Not headline-friendly. But unavoidable.

The results are now visible.

FY 2024–25: Numbers That Actually Matter

Let’s start with efficiency. Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses have dropped from 22.62 percent in FY14 to 16.16 percent in FY25. That’s not a rounding error. That’s years of metering, feeder separation, billing discipline, and less tolerance for leakage.

Then comes the money gap that haunted DISCOMs for years. The Average Cost of Supply minus Average Revenue Realised gap has narrowed sharply.

From ₹0.78 per unit in FY14 to just ₹0.11 per unit in FY25. Translation: utilities are finally recovering what it costs to supply power.

And then the headline moment. For the first time ever, India’s power distribution utilities posted a positive Profit After Tax. ₹858 crore in FY25. Compare that to a loss of ₹67,962 crore in FY14. That swing didn’t happen by accident.

Payment discipline has also tightened. Outstanding dues to generating companies collapsed by 96 percent. From ₹1.39 lakh crore in 2022 to ₹5,747 crore by December 2025. Payment cycles shortened from 176 days in FY21 to 120 days in FY25. Not perfect, but moving in the right direction.

Perhaps the most telling signal is this. Accumulated losses declined year-on-year for the first time. From ₹6.92 lakh crore in FY24 to ₹6.39 lakh crore in FY25. That’s a psychological break from the past.

What Changed Under the Hood

This turnaround didn’t come from one scheme or one announcement. It came from layering reforms until escape routes closed.

Late Payment Surcharge Rules forced utilities to respect contracts. Miss payments, pay penalties. Simple. Effective.

Tariff rationalisation rules pushed states to stop pretending electricity is free. Costs had to be recognised. Subsidies had to be accounted for transparently.

Financial discipline was reinforced by linking borrowing permissions to reform performance. Want more fiscal headroom? Fix your DISCOM first.

Operationally, smart metering and infrastructure upgrades under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme began plugging leakages at the consumer end. Not dramatic. Just relentless.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal has repeatedly hammered the same point. A future-ready power sector needs financially strong distribution utilities. Affordable power doesn’t mean bankrupt utilities. It means efficient ones.

The Legacy Burden Still Looms Large

Now, let’s not get carried away.

Despite progress, distribution utilities still carry ₹6.39 lakh crore in accumulated losses and ₹7.18 lakh crore in debt as of FY25. Nearly 80 percent of this burden sits with a handful of states. Tamil Nadu. Rajasthan. Maharashtra. Andhra Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh. Telangana. Madhya Pradesh. Karnataka.

These aren’t small players. They shape national outcomes.

The India power distribution sector turnaround will stall if these structural pockets aren’t addressed. Political reluctance to raise tariffs. Delayed subsidy payments. Operational inefficiencies. They still exist.

Reforms have arrested the fall. Sustaining the climb is the real test.

Why This Matters for Viksit Bharat 2047

The government has framed distribution reform as a pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047. That’s not rhetoric. It’s arithmetic.

A green, digital energy future needs utilities that can invest. In smart grids. In storage integration. In EV charging infrastructure. None of that happens if balance sheets are broken.

The Electricity Distribution (Accounts and Additional Disclosure) Rules, 2025 aim to standardise accounting and expose financial reality. Transparency is uncomfortable. But it’s necessary.

Additional prudential norms now tie access to finance with performance benchmarks. No more blank cheques.

Amendments to electricity rules enforce timely cost adjustments and realistic tariffs. Politics aside, electricity has to be paid for.

Together, these measures are reshaping incentives. Slowly. Sometimes painfully. But clearly.

The Quiet Confidence Behind the Numbers

What’s striking is the tone shift. Earlier, every improvement came with caveats and disclaimers. Now, officials talk about sustaining gains, not rescuing failures.

That’s a subtle but important change.

The distribution sector isn’t fixed. But it’s no longer in free fall. And that alone changes investor confidence, renewable integration timelines, and state-level accountability.

For India’s energy transition, this is foundational work. Unsexy. Uncelebrated. But decisive.

Read More

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], January 5: Santoor Ashram, a cultural NGO dedicated to empowering financially underprivileged student artists and founded by Santoor Maestro Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, successfully hosted Aikyam – Series 2 at Uttam Mancha, Kolkata, on the 2nd and 3rd of January 2026. This two-day festival of classical music and performing arts was organised in partnership with Jagriti Dham, resulting in a meaningful collaboration that honoured India’s deep artistic heritage while providing a vital platform for the development of young, emerging talent.

True to its meaning—unity—Aikyam brought together legendary maestros and accomplished performers on a single platform. Designed as a harmonious blend of experience and aspiration, the programme allowed established icons to share the stage with budding artists, inspiring both audiences and performers.

The two-day cultural showcase received an overwhelming response, with a packed auditorium and enthusiastic participation from music and art enthusiasts across Kolkata. Jagriti Dham, widely regarded as the best old age home in Kolkata and a premier senior living community, actively participated in and supported the initiative, contributing to an inclusive and emotionally enriching cultural experience.

One of the major highlights of Aikyam – Series 2 was the recognition and felicitation of artists who demonstrated remarkable promise across various music and dance forms. In a heartfelt gesture, these talented performers were felicitated by Jagriti Dham, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to social responsibility, cultural preservation, and encouragement of artistic talent.

Ravindra Chamaria, Chairman and Managing Director of Infinity Group and Founding Trustee of Jagriti Dham, remarked, “Aikyam – Series 2 beautifully showcases how art can nurture harmony and growth. Jagriti Dham is proud to support Santoor Ashram in empowering young artists and celebrating creativity rooted in our cultural values.”

Another deeply moving moment of the programme was the felicitation and honouring of Dr. Malaya Gangopadhyay, the senior-most resident member of Jagriti Dham, by Padma Bhushan awardee Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, the globally renowned musician who invented and popularised the Mohan Veena. This gesture symbolised respect for wisdom, age, and lifelong contribution, leaving a strong emotional impact on the audience.

Adding a special musical milestone to the event, Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya unveiled and presented a Signature Tune exclusively composed for Jagriti Dham. The soulful composition reflected the values of serenity, dignity, spirituality, and cultural richness that the esteemed senior living community represents, and received warm appreciation from the audience.

Beyond the stage performances, the festival fostered meaningful intergenerational connections, bringing together senior residents, young performers, and maestros to share stories, blessings, and words of encouragement.

Aikyam – Series 2 showcased a distinguished line-up of maestros and performers spanning classical vocal, instrumental, and dance disciplines, creating a deeply immersive cultural experience over two evenings. Every performance was thoughtfully curated to reflect a seamless balance between tradition and contemporary expression.

Speaking about the initiative, Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya said, “Aikyam is not merely a concert series; it is a movement that unites generations, backgrounds, and artistic expressions. With Jagriti Dham’s support, we created a platform where young, underprivileged artists could perform alongside legends and feel truly recognised and valued.”

The collaboration marked a proud and meaningful milestone for Jagriti Dham, which was deeply moved by the overwhelming audience response and the enthusiastic involvement of its residents. The event further reinforced the organisation’s philosophy of holistic living, where culture, community, and compassionate elderly care exist in harmony. The success of Aikyam – Series 2 once again affirmed Santoor Ashram’s role as a custodian of classical arts and Jagriti Dham’s vision of enriching lives through purposeful cultural engagement.

About Santoor Ashram

Santoor Ashram is a registered NGO founded by Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, committed to promoting Indian classical music, mentoring financially backward and underprivileged young talents, and creating platforms that combine artistic excellence with social purpose.

About Jagriti Dham

Jagriti Dham is Kolkata’s most luxurious senior living community, offering a lifestyle that seamlessly blends comfort, dignity, culture, and community engagement for its residents.

For more details, contact:

Website: www.jagritidham.com

Email: contact@jagritidham.com

Phone: +91 89618 96167

If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at pr.error.rectification@gmail.com. We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.

New Delhi [India], January 3: Jaldapara Rhino Calf – The 1 st of 2026 presented the wildlife lovers with a memory that they will be talking about decades to come. In the green forests of West Bengal in the Jaldapara National Park, a new baby one-horned rhino calf was born. To the conservationists in India, this small calf is not only cute, but it is an indication that all the decades of hard work to preserve the species is beginning to pay off.

Jaldapara Rhino Calf – uncommon Miracle in the Grasslands.

One-horned rhinos have always been found in the grasslands of Jaldapara, but it is not an easy occurrence to see newborn calves. It is a healthy calf, a vibrant one, which symbolizes a real success of the wildlife protection efforts in India. This has made these calves fight a chance to survive as the chances of poaching are lower, and the habitats are being protected.

The rhino population in India has been experiencing severe challenges in the last century, but with the efforts to manage the situation such as Project Rhino and the intensive forest management programs, the situation is changing. Jaldapara has become one of the most successful conservation centers in the country, which unites the modern monitoring methods with the knowledge of the field of practice.

Why This Calf Is More than What You Think.

This is not a fairy tale about animals. It represents the birth of a Jaldapara Rhino Calf, a sign of ecological stability and effective habitat restoration. The healthy populations of breeding animals are a symptom that forests are not only surviving, but they are flourishing. Another web of biodiversity is supported by a thriving Jaldapara: deer, elephants, leopards, and hundreds of bird species are dependent on the same ecosystem.

According to conservationists, each calf in the world today is a stronghold against extinction tomorrow. Every healthy calf enhances genetic diversity, boosts resilience in the population and enhances India’s position in preserving wildlife.

The Science of Success.

Jaldapara National Park is not gambling with the rhinos. Intense anti-poaching patrols, habitat control and veterinary surveillance are protocol. Calves are closely monitored and fed, cared for, and watched over to avoid predators.

The difference is brought by modern tech. GPS collars, drones, and data-based monitoring are used to predict risks, follow the movement, and efficiently protect the species. The calf is being monitored to ensure it adjusts well to its habitat without human interference.

Symbolism Beyond Numbers

Jaldapara Rhino Calf is not only ecologically important, but it also acts as a hopeful indication of the broader conservation story of India. Amidst the climate panic and dwindling biodiversity worldwide, this one-horned rhino serves as a triumph of success achieved with the help of devotion, investment, and community engagement.

It is an occasion that reminds the country that when humans set out to preserve nature, they will succeed. This calf is living evidence that wildlife recovery in India is not just talk, but is actually being put into practice.

Jaldapara Rhino Calf and her place in the India Conservation Map.

Jaldapara Rhino Calf, which is found along the foothills of the Himalayas, is not just a rhino sanctuary. It is an example of how local involvement, science, and national policy can overlap to produce a long-term effect. The ecosystem is being taken care of on several fronts, from the local forest rangers to the central government support.

Tourism is another attraction of every new calf. Tourists are now flooding in to see rhinos in their natural habitat, and this is earning an eco-conscious income that is pumped back into protection initiatives.

What to Expect: Future of the Rhinos of India.

Although this calf is small in size, it is a colossal stride in conservation. Things do not stop at birth; surveillance, security and habitat enlargement are necessary. The success of Jaldapara Rhino Calf in India is a precedent of other rhino reserves in Assam, Kaziranga and Manas National Park.

If this trend continues, researchers estimate that India would not only stabilise but also significantly increase the population of one-horned rhinos in the coming decade.

Summary: The Calf That Inspires.

By the year 2026, when India will celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Jaldapara rhino calf will be a reminder that important, long-term conservation efforts can succeed. It is an icon of strength, optimism and the visible outcomes of the prudent human cultivation of nature. It is evidence to both wildlife enthusiasts and policy makers that even endangered species can recover with a vision, commitment and action.

It is not a calf that is born, but a beat of the wildlife rejuvenation in India.

Jaldapara National Park — Wildlife Wing, Directorate of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal
https://www.wildbengal.com/jaldapara-np.php

Jaldapara | Alipurduar District Official Site
https://alipurduar.gov.in/tourist-place/jaldapara/

PNN News