Port Digital Twin Platform Launched at V.O. Chidambaranar Port
V. O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu launched India's first Digital Twin platform for port management on 23 February 2026. The initiative, inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal, aims to create a smart, efficient port ecosystem through digital simulations of vessel scheduling, cargo handling, berthing, and yard operations. The platform enables predictive analytics to optimize resource use, reduce congestion, and improve decision making across port processes. By modeling real‑time terminal operations, stakeholders can test scenarios before implementation. The Digital Twin is expected to set a benchmark for other Indian ports to adopt advanced digital management tools and enhance competitiveness in maritime logistics.
Launch location and date: V.O. Chidambaranar Port, 23 February 2026.
Inaugurator: Sarbananda Sonowal.
Technology: Digital Twin platform for port management.
Razorpay Unveils AI Platform for Payment Operations
Razorpay unveiled an artificial intelligence platform at its FTX 2026 event, marketed as the world’s first Agent Studio built on Anthropic’s Claude Agent SDK. The platform includes an agentic experience layer designed to streamline onboarding, payment integration, and operational management for online merchants. Razorpay asserts that its AI agents can automatically intervene when customers abandon a purchase, using transaction context to initiate voice or chat interactions to recover the sale. The launch represents a significant step in fintech, enabling automated customer engagement and payment optimization, potentially transforming how merchants manage checkout flows and post‑purchase processes.
Product: Agent Studio built on Claude Agent SDK.
Launch event: FTX 2026; debut of Razorpay AI platform.
Key feature: AI agents intervene in abandoned carts.
Impact: simplifies onboarding and payment operations for merchants.
New Flying Reptile Bakiribu waridza Identified from Dinosaur Vomit
Scientists report a new flying reptile species, Bakiribu waridza, described from a 100‑million‑year‑old regurgitated fossil—dinosaur vomit—from the Romualdo Formation in the Araripe Basin, Northeast Brazil. The study, titled ‘A regurgitator reveals a new filter‑feeding pterosaur from the Santana Group,’ appears in Scientific Reports. The fossil, preserved with other specimens, marks the first description of an extinct species from fossilised vomit. The discovery provides unusual insight into pterosaur diversity and feeding strategies during the Cretaceous period, suggesting new ecological roles for flying reptiles in ancient coastal ecosystems.
Discovery: Bakiribu waridza; fossil from Araripe Basin, Brazil.
Age: ~100 million years old; regurgitated material used for description.
Publication: Scientific Reports article on the regurgitator pterosaur.
Significance: first description of a species from fossil vomit.
Implication: adds to understanding of pterosaur ecology.
India Tops Medal Tallies with 12 Golds on Day 2 of World Para Athletics Grand Prix
On Day 2 of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in New Delhi, India secured 12 gold medals and multiple podium finishes across track and field events. Highlights included Sumit Antil’s leading performances in javelin events, silver and bronze in other categories, and a string of Indian results sweeping podiums in several races. The event featured elite para‑athletes from India and abroad, with 219 Indian competitors and around 74 international classifications taking part. The strength in throwing and sprint events showcased the depth of India’s para‑sport program, as athletes prepared for continued competition through the weekend.
Event: World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026, Day 2, New Delhi.
Medal tally: 12 golds for India; multiple podiums.
Notable results: strength in javelin and sprint events.
Participation: 219 Indian athletes; 74 international classifications.
Context: part of India’s ongoing para‑athletics calendar.
World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 Kicks Off in New Delhi
World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 began in New Delhi on 11 March 2026 and continues through 13 March 2026 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The event hosts 257 athletes from eight nations and offers 74 international classification slots. India has the largest contingent, with about 219 athletes in competition across track and field events. Para‑athletes from Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Serbia, Bosnia and Egypt are among international participants. The event provides a platform to showcase top performances and potential qualification opportunities for larger championships, contributing to India’s growing role in global para sports.
Event dates: 11–13 March 2026; venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
Participants: 257 athletes from eight nations; 74 classifications.
Indian contingent: ~219 athletes; emphasis on track and field events.
International guests: Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Serbia, Bosnia, Egypt.
Significance: strengthens India’s para sports profile.
India Leads Day 1 at World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026
Day 1 of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in New Delhi saw India deliver a strong showing with multiple golds and podium finishes. Notable results included Shailesh Kumar’s gold in men’s high jump T42, Praveen Kumar’s gold in men’s high jump T44, and a clean sweep in several events such as the men’s discus and 1500 metres across various classifications. The opening day highlighted India’s depth in para‑athletics, with a large home team competing across classifications and events. The competition marks an important stage in preparing athletes for international parAthletic circuits later in the year.
Event: Day 1 of World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026, New Delhi.
Key results: multiple Indian golds; notable jumps and throws.
Athlete highlights: Kumar, Praveen, and others achieving podium finishes.
Participation: strong Indian contingent across classifications.
Outlook: sets tone for subsequent days of competition.
International Rail Coach Expo 2026 Inaugurated at ICF Chennai
The International Rail Coach Expo (IRCE) 2026 opened on 12 March 2026 at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. The four‑day event runs from 12 to 14 March 2026 and is organized by the ICF in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). U. Subba Rao, General Manager of ICF, inaugurated the expo, which brings together railway manufacturers, technology providers, and industry experts from India and abroad. IRCE showcases innovations in coach design, braking, signaling, safety features, and digital tools for maintenance and operations. The expo aims to foster collaboration, spark new partnerships, and accelerate technology transfer within India’s rail sector.
Event name and venue: IRCE 2026 at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.
Dates: 12–14 March 2026; inauguration by U. Subba Rao.
Organizers: ICF in association with Confederation of Indian Industry.
Participants: Indian and international railway manufacturers and tech providers.
Focus areas: coach design, safety, signaling, and digital maintenance tools.
Mock Drill Sagar Kavach Conducted Along Mahe and Kerala Coasts
A coastal security exercise named ‘Sagar Kavach’ is being conducted along the Mahe and Kerala coasts. The drill involves the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, and Local Police, coordinated with Fisheries and Administrative Departments. The objective is to strengthen national security and safeguard India’s coastline from potential threats. The exercise, scheduled to conclude tomorrow, includes surveillance, rapid response, and inter‑agency communication drills. Coastal Vigilance Committees, including fishermen, are urged to report any suspicious activity via police channels or the toll‑free helpline 1093. This drill underscores ongoing efforts to protect maritime borders and coastal communities.
Event: Sagar Kavach mock drill; location: Mahe and Kerala coasts.
Participants: Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Local Police.
Purpose: strengthen coastal security and maritime safety.
Timeline: ongoing; conclusion expected tomorrow.
Public guidance: report suspicious activity via 1093.
International Day of Action for Rivers 2026 Observed on 14 March
The International Day of Action for Rivers is observed on 14 March 2026 with the theme 'Our Rivers, Our Future.' The day highlights the critical role of rivers in health, livelihoods, and ecosystems. It notes that global rivers receive millions of tons of sewage, industrial, and agricultural waste daily, stressing the need for pollution reduction, river restoration, and transboundary cooperation, especially in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region with major rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. The observance calls for coordinated action by governments, communities, and civil society to safeguard freshwater resources and promote sustainable water management.
Observation date: 14 March 2026; theme: Our Rivers, Our Future.
Reason: awareness about river health and management.
Context: HKH region and major transboundary rivers mentioned.
Facts: high daily pollution levels global rivers face.
Call to action: government, communities, and civil society cooperation.
Araku Kouni Tribal Millet Menu Launched in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched Araku Kouni, the state’s first tribal millet‑based menu, during the Collectors’ Conference at the State Secretariat. The initiative promotes millet‑based diets from tribal communities and highlights the culinary heritage of Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Araku Kouni features authentic millet recipes sourced directly from indigenous communities, with the aim of improving nutrition, supporting tribal farmers, and preserving traditional cooking practices. The menu showcases a range of millet dishes prepared from locally grown grains and regional ingredients, presenting millet as a mainstream, healthy dietary option while empowering regional agriculture.
Launch occasion: Collectors’ Conference at State Secretariat.
Menu name: Araku Kouni; focus on tribal millet recipes.
Purpose: promote millet consumption and support tribal farmers.
Scope: authentic recipes sourced from indigenous communities in Alluri Sitarama Raju district.
Impact: healthier diets and cultural preservation.
AYUSH Store on ZEPTO Inaugurated by Union Minister
AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated a dedicated AYUSH Store on ZEPTO, a quick‑commerce platform. The storefront consolidates authentic AYUSH products, making them easily discoverable for consumers through the platform’s digital network. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ vision and aims to expand India’s wellness and traditional medicine footprint. Officials note that the digital storefront will connect manufacturers and practitioners with modern consumers, supporting the broader growth of India’s indigenous health sector while broadening access to Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional systems.
Yoga Mahotsav-2026 in New Delhi Marks Countdown to IDY
Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga will host Yoga Mahotsav‑2026 in New Delhi to begin the 100‑day countdown to International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026. Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav is set to attend the event, which forms part of a broader national program promoting yoga across 100 places and organizations. The event references the United Nations’ 2014 declaration of IDY on June 21 and underscores India’s heritage in yoga as a global wellness practice. Organisers aim to sustain momentum through a coordinated outreach, partnerships with institutions, and public engagement across diverse urban and rural communities.
Event: Yoga Mahotsav‑2026; venue: New Delhi.
Countdown: 100 days to IDY 2026; date: June 21, 2026.
Attendee: Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav.
Program: 100‑place, 100‑org initiative to promote yoga.
Context: IDY established by UN in 2014; India's heritage recognition.
The 21st Asian Women’s Film Festival (AWFF) 2026 started in New Delhi, celebrating women’s voices from across Asia. The three‑day event is organized by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) at the India International Centre. Festival director Bina Paul curated about 75 films across documentary, fiction, animation, and experimental formats, complemented by discussions, masterclasses, and curated sessions. The programme highlights diverse storytelling, ranging from intimate personal narratives to films addressing social and political realities. Beyond screenings, AWFF aims to foster conversation, collaboration, and connections among filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals.
Event: 21st AWFF 2026; location: India International Centre, Delhi.
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