General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2023

May 2023

May 19, 2026

Nimapara Patha Utsav 2026 Inaugurated in Puri by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida

Nimapara Patha Utsav 2026 was inaugurated in the Puri district of Odisha on 17 May 2026. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida led the opening ceremony in the Nimapara area. The festival showcases Odia folk arts, youth-led awareness campaigns, and development initiatives under the Utkarsha Nimapara 2.0 program. Organisers describe Patha Utsav as a community festival that blends culture with public welfare, wellness and social interaction. The event brings together residents, students, artists and youth groups to celebrate local heritage, while promoting voluntary service and local development projects in the region. The festival aims to reclaim public spaces for cultural activity and social cohesion.

Date of inauguration: 17 May 2026
Location: Nimapara area, Puri district, Odisha
Inaugurated by: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida
Focus areas: Odia folk arts, youth campaigns, Utkarsha Nimapara 2.0
Audience: residents, students, artists, youth groups

Amit Shah Inaugurates Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Jan Suvidha Kendra in Bastar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Jan Suvidha Kendra in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on 18 May 2026. He described the centre as a milestone in the region’s transformation after the decline of Naxalism. The site at Netanar village is named after tribal freedom fighter Veer Gundadhur and will provide welfare and public services to tribal communities. The minister recalled past violence, including the killing of six policemen at the location in earlier years, and framed the centre as a shift from conflict to development and public welfare, reflecting the government’s stated commitment to security and governance in the region.

Inauguration date: 18 May 2026
Location: Netanar village, Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Purpose: public welfare and tribal services
Namesake: Shaheed Veer Gundadhur
Context: shift from security camps to development post-Naxalism

May 17, 2026

Vinai Kumar Saxena Inaugurates High-Altitude Mahey Tokpo-Raldho Canal

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Mahey Tokpo-Raldho irrigation canal at an elevation exceeding 14,000 feet in the Changthang region. The 2.10-kilometre canal channels water from Yaya Lake to agricultural fields in Mahey, benefiting about 100 acres. The project aims to improve water availability amid climate uncertainty and glacier melt, addressing a long-standing irrigation challenge in this remote area. Construction faced challenging Himalayan terrain and weather. Officials expect increased productivity and better livelihoods for local farming communities, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen rural infrastructure in border regions.

Inauguration by Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in Changthang, Ladakh, at >14,000 feet elevation.
2.10-kilometre canal carries water from Yaya Lake to Mahey fields for 100 acres.
Aims to counter climate-related water shortages facing high-altitude agriculture.
Construction overcome challenging Himalayan terrain and weather conditions.
Part of broader rural infrastructure strengthening along border regions.

May 16, 2026

Mahey Tokpo-Raldho canal inaugurated at 14,000 feet in Ladakh

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Mahey Tokpo-Raldho irrigation canal in Ladakh’s Changthang region on 14 May 2026. The 2.10-kilometre canal lies above 14,000 feet and will bring water from Yaya Lake to agricultural fields in Mahey, benefiting around 100 acres. The project, started in 2022–23, faced delays due to administrative issues but is now complete. Officials expect improved water availability and agricultural resilience in this high-altitude area facing climate variability. The canal underscores continued infrastructure development in Ladakh’s remote districts.

Inauguration date: 14 May 2026.
Canal length: 2.10 km; altitude: >14,000 feet.
Source: Yaya Lake to Mahey area for irrigation.
Impact: About 100 acres of agricultural land to benefit.
Background: Project began in 2022–23; earlier delays due to admin issues.

May 15, 2026

Periasamy Kumaran Becomes India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

Periasamy Kumaran assumed charge as India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on 14 May 2026, presenting his credentials to Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps Scott Furssedonn-Wood. An Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1992 batch, Kumaran was most recently Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs. He succeeds Vikram Doraiswami, who has become India's Ambassador to China. Kumaran was welcomed on arrival by Deputy High Commissioner Kartik Pande and Gordon Wetherell, CMG, Special Representative of UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. His term formally begins after he presents his letters of credence to King Charles III in a ceremony expected in the coming weeks.

Appointed High Commissioner to the UK; credentials presented 14 May 2026.
1992-batch IFS officer; previously Secretary (East) in MEA.
Succeeds Vikram Doraiswami, now India’s Ambassador to China.
Greeted by Deputy High Commissioner and UK officials on arrival.
Term begins after presenting credence to King Charles III.

May 13, 2026

Rangasamy sworn in as Puducherry CM for fifth term

On 13 May 2026, N. Rangasamy was sworn in as Puducherry Chief Minister for the fifth time, with the NDA retaining power in the union territory after the assembly elections. The 76-year-old leader has previously served as CM from 2001 to 2006 and again from 2006 to 2008, later founding the All India NR Congress and heading the AINRC-BJP alliance from 2021 to 2026. In the polls, Rangasamy won from Thattanchavady by 4,441 votes over E Vinayagam of Neyam Makkal Kazhagam and from Mangalam by 7,050 votes over DMK’s S. S. Rangan. The oath was administered by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan at Lok Nivas, Puducherry, marking his fifth term as CM. ([indiatoday.in](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/puducherry/story/n-rangasamy-sworn-in-puducherry-chief-minister-fifth-time-nda-win-2911064-2026-05-13?utm_source=openai))

Date of oath: 13 May 2026 (Wednesday) at Lok Nivas, Puducherry
Rangasamy is 76 years old and previously served as CM in 2001–2006, 2006–2008
Election wins: Thattanchavady by 4,441 votes; Mangalam by 7,050 votes
Party/coalition: NDA government led by AINRC
Oath administered by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan

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