Tallest idol of Lord Ram inaugurated in North America
Federal Cabinet ministers and the leader of the opposition in the House of Commons joined thousands of devotees on Sunday as the tallest idol of Lord Ram in North America was unveiled at a temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The statue was inaugurated on the grounds of the Hindu Heritage Center in the town of Mississauga. Among those who attended the ceremony were Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez, President of the Treasury Board Shafqat Ali and Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu.
PNB Housing Finance Announces New Leadership Appointments after CEO Resignation
PNB Housing Finance announced key appointments to its senior management team following the resignation of its MD and CEO, Girsh Kousgi. The changes came at a critical time for the mortgage lender, which saw its shares tumble by 18% on the BSE after the announcement.
The company appointed Jatul Anand, a function head, as Executive Director, who will oversee the prime and emerging business, including sales, credit, product, and collections.
Valli Sekar as Chief Business Officer — Affordable Business, tasked with leading the affordable housing vertical, covering the same operational areas.
These appointments aim to maintain continuity and drive the company's strategic priorities amid the transition.
National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush Signs Two Strategic MoUs to Strengthen Conservation and Public Awareness of Medicinal Plants.
Two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed today by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India in the presence of Union Minister of State of Ayush (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
The first MoU was signed between the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) and IshVed-Bioplants Venture, Pune, Maharashtra, and the second tripartite MoU was signed among National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
ISRO Prepares for BlueBird Satellite Launch with U.S. Collaboration
According to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, the 6,500 kg BlueBird satellite is expected to arrive in India by September 2025, with the launch scheduled within three to four months.
Just days after the successful launch of the NISAR Earth Observation Satellite, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for its next Indo-U.S. collaboration. The mission involves launching the Block 2 BlueBird communications satellite, developed by U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, using ISRO's most powerful launch vehicle, the LVM3 (formerly GSLV-Mk III).
Sikkim First State in India to Introduce a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for Government Employees
Sikkim became the first state in India to introduce a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for government employees, offering them a unique opportunity for personal and professional development while retaining job security. This progressive policy is aimed at improving workforce well-being, career growth, and administrative efficiency in the state's governance system.
Launched in August 2023, the scheme applies to regular state government employees who have served at least five years continuously. Under the policy, employees can avail of sabbatical leave ranging from 365 days to a maximum of 1,080 days.
Employees will receive 50% of their basic pay during the leave period.
Seniority is preserved, ensuring smooth continuity in their service records.
The government retains the right to recall employees with a one-month notice, if required.
Western Railway Resumes Heritage Train on This 155-Year-Old Line
The Western Railway has resumed operations of its 9.5 km metre-gauge heritage train on the iconic Patalpani–Kalakund line in Madhya Pradesh. Services had been briefly suspended earlier due to a decline in tourist footfall. With its rich history and breathtaking scenic views, the train remains a major attraction for heritage tourism enthusiasts.
Located on the Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow)–Khandwa section, the Patalpani–Kalakund line runs through the picturesque hilly terrain of Madhya Pradesh, offering passengers panoramic views of valleys, forests, and waterfalls. The journey is considered a unique experience, blending history, culture, and natural beauty.
HQ-16 is a Chinese Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system with NATO name CH-SA 16.
The United States military unveiled a mockup of China's HQ-16 missile at the Experimental Aircraft Association 'AirVenture Show' in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
HQ-16 is a Chinese Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system with NATO name CH-SA 16. It is based on Russia's Buk missile family.
It is designed to target aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It uses a vertical launch system for 360-degree coverage in complex terrains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special programme Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2025 has set a new Guinness World Record for getting the most number of people to register on a citizen platform in one month. Over 3.53 crore people signed up on MyGov, showing how more and more people in India are taking part in digital public programmes.
The Guinness certificate was officially given in Delhi by Rishi Nath from Guinness World Records. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MoS Jitin Prasada, Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, and MyGov CEO Nand Kumarum were present.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched 'Apna Ghar'.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched 'Apna Ghar', a nationwide initiative providing truck drivers with hygienic and safe resting spaces. As of July 2025, 368 units with 4,611 beds have been set up across highways, offering dormitories, dhabas, clean toilets, bathing areas, cooking.
To improve the safety, health, and comfort of India's trucking workforce, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has rolled out a pioneering initiative called 'Apna Ghar'. Launched nationwide, the programme provides hygienic and comfortable resting facilities for truck drivers along major highways, marking a crucial step towards ensuring better living conditions for those who drive the backbone of India's economy.
The first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated the event. Artists from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand performed at the musical evening. Organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival called 'SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody', witnessed the celebration of the distinct musical traditions of the seven BIMSTEC countries.
This inaugural edition marked a significant cultural milestone in BIMSTEC cooperation. The genesis of this cultural initiative can be traced to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's affirmation at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand in April 2025 of India's commitment to strengthening regional cultural ties through music by hosting the first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in India.