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NATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2023

Sep 2023

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

May 11, 2026

C. Joseph Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

On 10 May 2026, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath in a ceremony attended by senior party leaders, legislators, film personalities, and thousands of supporters. Vijay now leads a government that ends nearly six decades of two‑party rule by DMK and AIADMK, marking a significant shift in Tamil Nadu politics. The event was followed by celebrations among TVK supporters across the city. National leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, attended, signaling broader attention to the state’s new administration.

Date and venue: 10 May 2026, Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
Oath administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
End of six decades of DMK‑AIADMK two‑party rule
Vijay leads a coalition including regional allies
Attendance included TVK supporters and national leaders
Rahul Gandhi present, indicating national attention

India signs eight MoUs with Trinidad and Tobago during Jaishankar's Caribbean visit

During External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago on 8 and 9 May 2026, India and the Caribbean nation signed eight Memoranda of Understanding. The agreements cover tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, Ayurveda, vector control, and digital support for education. The MoUs also include solarisation of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs building and infrastructure upgrades for Nelson Island. An Indian Chair on Ayurveda will be established at the University of the West Indies under these agreements. India and Trinidad and Tobago have had diplomatic relations since 1962, when the islands gained independence, and Trinidad and Tobago is a member of CARICOM.

Eight MoUs spanned tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, Ayurveda, vector control, and digital education support.
Solarisation of the Foreign Affairs complex and infrastructure upgrades for Nelson Island were included.
An Indian Chair on Ayurveda will be created at the University of the West Indies.
Diplomatic ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago date from 1962; both are CARICOM members.

Suvendu Adhikari Becomes West Bengal’s First BJP Chief Minister

West Bengal entered a new political era on 9 May 2026 as Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state’s first BJP Chief Minister since India’s independence. The ceremony at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other NDA leaders. Adhikari was unanimously elected the BJP Legislative Party leader, paving the way for government formation after the party secured 207 seats in the 294‑member Assembly, crossing the majority mark. The Trinamool Congress won 80 seats. Analysts view this result as a major regional realignment, expanding BJP influence in eastern India and ending a long TMC dominance in the state.

Date and place: 9 May 2026, Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata
Oath of Suvendu Adhikari as CM
Prime Minister Modi and NDA leaders attended
BJP won 207 of 294 seats; TMC 80
Significance: first BJP government in West Bengal
Impact: potential regional realignment in eastern India

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