India, Oman and UAE to Establish Trilateral Aviation Committee
India, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to establish a technical trilateral committee to address flight-operational challenges and strengthen coordination in regional airspace operations. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the initiative in November 2026 after discussions with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri. The committee will focus on identifying operational difficulties, developing coordinated solutions and improving cooperation among the three countries to ensure safer and more efficient regional air connectivity.
Participating countries: India, Oman, United Arab Emirates.
Purpose: address flight-operational challenges and airspace coordination.
Key organizer: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu; UAE counterpart Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri.
Expected outcome: safer, more efficient regional air connectivity.
Maharashtra Girl Sets Six Scuba-Diving World Records in a Single Day
In November 2026, Ira Aditya Raut, a ten-year-old from Maharashtra, set six scuba diving world records in a single day at the Dive Tribe Centre on Shaheed Dweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. At age 10 years, 17 hours and 35 minutes, she became the world's youngest qualified scuba diver. Her feats include the highest number of underwater hand signals in one minute, identifying the maximum number of diving equipment items underwater, and covering the greatest underwater distance in one minute in the pre-teen category. Her qualification was certified by Scuba Schools International (SSI) and verified by the International Book of Records.
Age and record count: 10 years, 17 hours 35 minutes; six records in one day.
Location: Dive Tribe Centre, Shaheed Dweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Record categories: underwater hand signals, equipment identification, underwater distance.
Certifying bodies: Scuba Schools International (SSI) and International Book of Records.
Sunil Chhetri Becomes First Male Participant in FIFA Player Impact Programme
Sunil Chhetri, former captain of the India men’s national football team, became the first male participant in FIFA’s Player Impact Programme second edition in November 2026. The initiative began as a female-only pilot in 2025 and now includes 13 footballers from various countries. It aims to empower players to drive social change, focusing on education, mental health and equal access to sports. Chhetri took part in a three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop in Boston, USA, in June 2026. The programme encourages athletes to leverage influence and resources for community impact.
Participant: Sunil Chhetri, India national team former captain.
Programme: FIFA Player Impact Programme, second edition.
Expansion: from female-only (2025) to 13 male/female players worldwide.
India and Oman Conduct 15th Edition of Naseem Al Bahr Naval Exercise
India and Oman conducted the 15th Naseem Al Bahr naval exercise in 2026 to strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability between their navies. The exercise, first held in 1993, involves the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman. Indian Naval Ship INS Surat arrived at Muscat to participate. Naseem Al Bahr aims to enhance coordination and bilateral defence relations and to improve the ability of both navies to conduct joint maritime operations in diverse sea conditions.
Exercise: Naseem Al Bahr 2026, 15th edition.
Participants: Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman; INS Surat participated.
Origins: first conducted in 1993.
Aims: deepen maritime cooperation and interoperability.
Meghalaya Celebrates Golden Jubilee of Hundred Drums Wangala Festival
Meghalaya marked the Golden Jubilee of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival, held from 11 to 14 November 2026 at Garo Heritage Village, Wangala A'dam, Chibagre, in West Garo Hills district. Wangala is a post-harvest thanksgiving festival of the Garo community, dedicated to Misi Saljong, the Sun God. The Golden Jubilee featured a special 'Rhythm of 1,000 Drums' performance with 1,000 drummers and 3,000 dancers, showcasing rich cultural heritage, traditional music and community traditions of the Garo people.
Festival: Wangala, 50th edition (Golden Jubilee).
Dates: 11–14 November 2026.
Venue: Garo Heritage Village, Wangala Adam, Chibagre, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
Cultural highlight: Rhythm of 1,000 Drums with 1,000 drummers and 3,000 dancers.
Significance: celebrates Garo heritage and harvest gratitude.