The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, chaired a review meeting on the progress of the Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban (SBM-U) in Chandigarh, held at the UT Guest House.
During the review, the Hon’ble Minister underscored the need to fast‑track Aspirational Toilet construction while ensuring that all existing facilities (CT/PTs) are regularly monitored, maintained, and kept fully functional and accessible to the public at all times.He also reviewed preparations for the upcoming 15-day Swachhata Hi Seva 2026,
directing that the Swachhata Pakhwada must actively engage citizens in every initiative during the 15‑day campaign. He emphasized that citizens are the true custodians of Swachhata, and their feedback must not only be heard but acted upon with utmost seriousness.The Hon'ble Minister highlighted that all processing facilities, waste collection vehicles,
and government offices must be cleaned — just as homes are readied before Diwali — so that every element associated with swachhata reflects renewed commitment.
He further advocated cross‑learning among Urban Local Bodies, pointing to best practices from Integrated Command and Control Centres where AI and digital tools are used to track vehicles,
capture real‑time data and derive smart solutions.
The Union Minister directed that a structured city‑to‑city learning mechanism be institutionalized, enabling knowledge sharing of processes, facilities, and innovations. The cities showcasing these best practices should be made accessible to the others for streamlining processes in various cities.
Prime Minister paid floral tributes at the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the passing away of the former Prime Minister in Tashkent in 1965. The memorial is situated on a street named after Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. The life and legacy of the former Prime Minister is fondly remembered in Tashkent.
After offering respects at the Shastri Memorial, Prime Minister visited the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. At the university, Prime Minister Modi was received by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and the rector. He interacted with the Indologists and scholars pursuing academic interests at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre of the university.
The university has an impressive record of teaching Hindi language and other Indian subjects. During his State Visit, Prime Minister announced Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi language for Uzbek students. This year marks the 80th year of Hindi teaching at the university. Given the close cultural affinities between the two countries,
there is admirable interest among the Uzbek students to learn Hindi. There are over 3000 words which are common between Uzbek and Hindi languages.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh,organized the PM-SETU Industry Conclave in Lucknow, bringing together senior representatives from government, industry, multilateral institutions, defence public sector enterprises,
sector skill councils and skilling stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening industry participation in vocational education and transforming Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into world-class centres of excellence.Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that India's journey towards becoming a global manufacturing and
technology powerhouse would be driven by the availability of highly skilled manpower. He highlighted that sectors such as defence manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, drones, robotics, precision engineering and automation are witnessing rapid technological advancements and require a workforce equipped with future-ready skills.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with the “Oliy Darajali Do’stlik” Order (Order of Highest Friendship) by the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his contribution to the strengthening of friendship between the two countries. This is Uzbekistan’s highest honour for foreign leaders.
Prime Minister Modi dedicated the accolade to the 1.4 billion people of India and conveyed that it is a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two countries and civilisations. He noted that the words of appreciation spoken for him by President Mirziyoyev was a tribute to the age-old friendship between India and Uzbekistan and
their shared heritage. Prime Minister further added that the honour brings added responsibility for India to work together with Uzbekistan as Global South partners for the betterment of humanity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a successful two-day State Visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, following talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to deepen bilateral ties. Both leaders agreed to elevate India-Uzbekistan relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The outcomes of the visit extend well beyond the signing of 11 agreements. From critical minerals and uranium to trade, defence, digital payments and education; from Hindi and Sanskrit to sports and heritage conservation, the two-day visit has given a broad and comprehensive framework to the India-Uzbekistan relationship.
The elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, coupled with the five-billion-dollar trade target, long-term energy cooperation and greater engagement at the state and city levels, is expected to provide fresh momentum to India’s engagement with Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali on the River Pamba, describing the festival as a glorious symbol of Keralam’s rich cultural heritage, devotion and timeless traditions.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said the Aranmula Vallamkali, associated with Onam and the sacred tradition of Vallasadya, showcases teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship, with beautifully decorated Palliyodams and more than a hundred oarsmen rowing in perfect rhythm.
The Vice President highlighted the ancient Sree Parthasarathy Temple and the renowned GI-tagged Aranmula Kannadi. Emphasising that tradition and modernity can go hand in hand, he recalled Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”.
The fourth edition of Tri-Services Future Warfare Course, conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and coordinated by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), concluded on August 30, 2026 after four weeks of professional military education and deliberations at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
The course brought together officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with representatives from government organisations, academia, industry and strategic think tanks to examine emerging trends shaping the future character of warfare.
The valedictory programme included the presentation of certificates to the participants by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal Tejinder Singh. Lt Gen SS Mahal (Retd), Managing Director Defence Research and Innovation Foundation,
IIT Ropar presented 'PG Diploma in Future Warfare' to the attendees.
The fourth edition further reinforced the importance of joint learning, technological awareness, strategic foresight and operational preparedness in preparing military leaders for the evolving character of warfare.
The fifth edition of the course is scheduled from November 16 till December 11, 2026.
The 117 women featured in the 2026 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List together represent Rs 39 trillion in enterprise value, market capitalisation and wealth. The second edition of the annual Hurun list has expanded from 97 women across nine categories in 2025 to 117 women across 12 categories this year,
The second edition of the annual Hurun list has expanded from 97 women across nine categories in 2025 to 117 women across 12 categories this year, a 21 per cent increase that mirrors the broadening definition of leadership itself.
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026 is a global assessment that compares countries on the basis of their environmental performance and their progress in addressing major environmental challenges. The index is prepared by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy (YCELP) in collaboration with
the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) of Columbia University. The 2026 edition evaluates 177 countries using 47 indicators, which are organised into 12 issue categories under three major policy objectives: Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, and Climate Change.
The 2026 EPI places Estonia at the top of the global ranking, making it the best-performing country among the 177 countries assessed. Estonia secured the 1st position with a score of 74.79. At the opposite end of the ranking, Laos was placed 177th, with a score of 21.78, making it the lowest-ranked country in the index.
The results indicate considerable differences among countries in areas such as environmental health, ecosystem conservation and climate-related performance.
India was ranked 176th out of 177 countries in the EPI 2026, with an overall score of 22.46. This placed India just above Laos and significantly below the Southern Asia regional average of 31.81.
India's position highlights the challenges it continues to face in areas such as air pollution, environmental health, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. However, India's performance varies across different components of the index,
and its position in the climate-change category is relatively better than its rankings in environmental health and ecosystem vitality.
Under the three broad policy objectives, India was ranked 174th in Environmental Health, 171st in Ecosystem Vitality, and 130th in Climate Change.
These figures indicate that India's relative performance is stronger in the climate-change component compared with environmental health and ecosystem vitality. The EPI therefore provides a useful comparative framework for identifying areas where countries need to strengthen environmental policies and improve outcomes.
India's 300 most valuable family businesses are now collectively worth Rs.138 lakh crore ($1.46 trillion), according to the 2026 Barclays Private Clients Hurun India Most Valuable Family Businesses List. Their combined value is equivalent to an economy that would rank as the 18th largest in the world, ahead of countries such as the Netherlands,
Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Poland.More strikingly, these businesses added nearly Rs.30 lakh crore in value since the 2024 edition, which works out to roughly Rs.4,076 crore every day over the past two years. Their combined value rose 27.5% since 2024, even as the Nifty 50 fell 1.1% and the Sensex declined 3.7% over the same period.
Sikkim Shooters performed extraordinarily in 13th North East Zone Shooting Championship 2026. 13th North East Zone Shooting Championship 2026 at Guwahati, Assam.Laxuman Adhikari from Sikkim won a historic Bronze Medal in the Master Men’s 10m Air Pistol Individual category in this Championship.
This was the first-ever medal won by a shooter representing Sikkim at the North East Zonal level.
Two shooters from Sikkim Anu Chettri and Tshering Yangden Bhutia have qualified for the 69th National Shooting Championship 2026 after putting up strong performances in 13th North East Zonal Shooting Championship.
Chettri secured qualification in the 10m air pistol event, while Bhutia has been selected in 10m air rifle.
In total, 11 shooters from Sikkim competed at the Zonal Championship, with the Sikkim Rifle Association contingent comprising eight pistol shooters and three rifle shooters.
In Squash, India’s Abhay Singh won the men’s singles title at the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy 2026 in Seremban, Malaysia. The top-seeded Abhay defeated third-seeded Henry Leung of Hong Kong, China, 3-2 in the final of the PSA Challenger Tour 15 event.The victory marked the 27-year-old Indian squash player’s 13th PSA Tour title and his second of the year,
following his win at the Indian Open in Mumbai in March. Abhay, at world No.24, is India’s highest-ranked men’s player. It was also Abhay Singh’s third Tuanku Muhriz Trophy title. He previously won the tournament in 2022 and 2024.Abhay, who won gold in the men’s team and bronze in mixed doubles at Hangzhou 2023,
is also part of the Indian squash squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. He is slated to compete in the men’s singles and team events. Meanwhile, Rathika Suthanthira Seelan and Anika Dubey represented India in the women’s singles competition. Both bowed out in the round of 16. Squash is set to make its Olympic debut at LA 2028.
Mizo footballer Lallianzuala Chhangte has been named Indian Footballer of the Year 2026. The 29-year-old, who recently moved from Mumbai FC to Mohun Bagan, received the award from Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia last night. Organised by the Football Players Association of India, the award is decided through votes from fellow players.
Chhangte had previously won the honour for the 2023-24 season. Chief Minister Lalduhoma congratulated Chhangte, while the Mizoram Football Association hailed the achievement as a proud moment and said it would inspire the next generation of Mizo footballers.
August 29 is the United Nations’ International Day Against Nuclear Tests, an annual observance meant to highlight the consequences of nuclear weapons testing and promote the end of nuclear weapons tests worldwide. 2026 marks the 17th observance of IDANT.
On August 29, 1991, shortly before its final dissolution in December of the same year, the Soviet Union formally closed the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, one of its principal nuclear proving grounds. The test site was located in modern-day Kazakhstan, which inherited it after its independence;
the newly independent Central Asian nation proposed creating the international observance to honor the occasion, and the UN General Assembly adopted it on December 2, 2009. First observed in 2010, the point of the day is to promote the idea that nuclear weapons aren’t only dangerous when detonated in war;
the development and testing of nuclear weapons has also caused intense harm to people and the environment.
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, the only universal treaty specifically dedicated to preventing and eradicating enforced disappearances. Under the slogan “Victims first. Actions now” , the anniversary puts victims and their rights to truth,
justice and reparation at the centre, while calling on States and other stakeholders to act to prevent enforced disappearances.
Twenty years after the Convention’s adoption, enforced disappearances continue to occur in every region, making universal ratification and full implementation an urgent priority.
Throughout 2026, CED20 will bring together States, victims, civil society, national human rights institutions, UN entities and partners to raise awareness, share concrete actions and strengthen protections.
The 2026 International Day for People of African Descent is being observed under the theme “Expanding the Human Rights of People of African Descent” within the framework of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034). Building on the achievements of the first International Decade,
the observance reaffirms the commitment to Recognition, Justice and Development while accelerating action to address persistent inequalities, systemic racism, and the lasting impacts of racialized chattel enslavement and colonialism. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among the United Nations, Member States, civil society,
and people of African descent to advance the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.
The 2026 observance seeks to expand the human rights of people of African descent through stronger legal, policy, and institutional measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
It also underscores the importance of ensuring the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights, while advancing equal access to education, employment, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunities. These priorities reflect the objectives of the Second International Decade and build on efforts to increase visibility,
awareness, and respect for people of African descent and their contributions to society.
