Parichha Weir Recognised as World Heritage Irrigation Structure
The Parichha Weir, located in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, has been recognised as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). The approximately 140‑year‑old structure is built on the Betwa River and forms an important part of the Betwa Canal system. The recognition highlights its historical, engineering and irrigation significance and represents India’s rich legacy of water management infrastructure. The WHIS designation may promote heritage tourism, conservation efforts and technical study by researchers and policymakers looking to balance irrigation needs with river ecosystem health. Local stakeholders anticipate broader awareness of India’s irrigation heritage.
Parichha Weir in Jhansi, UP, recognised as WHIS by ICID.
Approximately 140 years old, on the Betwa River.
Integral to the Betwa Canal irrigation system.
Acknowledges historical engineering and irrigation significance.
May boost heritage tourism and conservation efforts.
IISc Bengaluru has developed SraVaani, an open‑source multilingual speech recognition model. The project is led by IISc’s SPIRE Lab, developed in collaboration with ARTPARK and supported by Google. SraVaani can convert speech to text across 65 Indian languages and dialects and supports 10 scripts, making it a versatile tool for many communities. The model aims to improve accessibility and digital inclusion by enabling language‑inclusive AI solutions for education, governance and everyday use. Researchers emphasize responsible use, open access and ongoing expansion to new languages. The release highlights India’s growing role in language technology and public‑sector AI research. Experts say it could support local language education and government services in rural areas.
SraVaani is an open‑source multilingual speech recognition model developed by IISc Bengaluru.
Collaboration includes ARTPARK and Google support.
Covers 65 Indian languages/dialects and 10 scripts.
Aims to enhance accessibility and digital inclusion through AI.
Open access with ongoing expansion to more languages.
Iga Swiatek Wins 2026 Canadian Open Women’s Singles
Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek won the 2026 Canadian Open women’s singles title, defeating Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 6–2, 6–3. The victory, secured in August 2026, represents Swiatek's first title of the season and reinforces her status as one of the leading players in women’s tennis. Commentators noted her aggressive baseline game and effective serve as keys to the win. The Canadian Open result adds momentum ahead of major summer events on the tour. Swiatek's performance continues a successful run in 2026, highlighting consistency and competitive depth among the sport's top athletes from Poland and beyond. Her success strengthens India's long-standing interest in global tennis and inspires young players domestically.
Swiatek defeated Elena Rybakina 6–2, 6–3 to win the title.
This was Swiatek's first 2026 title performance of the year.
Noted for aggressive baseline play and solid serving.
The win boosts momentum before major summer events.
Colonial and international tennis community recognizes her continued dominance.
Rani Mukerji Honoured at IFFM 2026 for Excellence in Acting
Rani Mukerji was honoured at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 with a special citation for Excellence in Acting. The tribute marks three decades in Indian cinema for the veteran star and recognises her influence across Hindi film. Over a career spanning the 1990s to the present, Mukerji has drawn praise for performances in Black (2005), Hum Tum (2004), Hichki (2018), Mardaani (2014) and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023). Festival organisers emphasised her versatility and commitment to challenging roles. The award adds to a long list of achievements in Indian cinema and highlights cross‑cultural appreciation for Indian talent abroad. Mukerji expressed gratitude in a brief on-stage address.
Rani Mukerji received a special citation for Excellence in Acting at IFFM 2026.
The recognition celebrates three decades of her work in Indian cinema.
Highlighted performances include Black, Hum Tum, Hichki, Mardaani and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
Organisers noted her versatility and impact on Hindi cinema.
The award reflects cross‑cultural appreciation for Indian talent abroad.
The Karnataka government approved the Sandhya Kiran contributory cashless healthcare scheme for retired state government employees, family pensioners and eligible dependents. The scheme provides annual cashless medical coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family on a floater basis, covering hospitalisation and essential treatment. It will operate under the Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka framework to improve access to care in public and private facilities. The scheme aims to reduce financial burden on senior citizens and pensioners who require medical treatment, and to expand health security in the state. Details of eligibility, contribution and empanelled hospitals will be announced by the Health Department. The policy paper will include a transparent claims process and time-bound approvals.
Scheme covers retired government employees, family pensioners and eligible dependents.
Annual cashless coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family on a floater basis.
Operates under Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka framework.
Aims to ease medical costs for senior citizens and pensioners.
Eligibility criteria and empanelled hospitals to be announced by the Health Department.