NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Army’s Northern Commander, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, inaugurated the ‘Banwat Ekta Sthal’ – a public monument symbolising national pride and sovereignty – near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the project was completed in a record 45 days and features a towering 105 feet National Flag, the tallest in the Poonch district. Apart from the national flag, the facility includes a children’s park for recreation and an ‘Ekta Mandap’ to promote peace.

Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an organised interstate and international drug trafficking syndicate. According to the Delhi Police, 5 individuals have been arrested in the case. The Police have also seized a consignment of over 18 lakh psychotropic tablets, valued at approximately 8 to 9 crore rupees in the illicit market. Talking to the media, Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Vikram Singh, said that the drugs were going to the UK via Mundra port, but with the coordinated effort, they have recovered this massive haul. In total, 528 kilograms of psychotropic tablets were recovered.

Amid ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in various parts of Mexico, the Embassy of India in Mexico today issued an advisory to Indian citizens residing in the country, urging them to exercise caution and shelter in place. The Embassy has urged Indian nationals in the affected areas to avoid zones with active law enforcement activity and to remain alert to their surroundings. The Embassy asked citizens to seek shelter and minimise unnecessary movement outside their place of stay. It is also advised to monitor local media for updates and to follow the directions of local authorities. In the event of an emergency, they are directed to call 911. The Embassy asked the citizens to keep family and friends advised of their location and well-being via phone, text, and social media. For any assistance, the Embassy can be contacted via telephone at +52 55 4847 7539.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said that the nation has taken a pledge to wipe out Naxalism from the country by 31st of next month. Addressing the CRPF personnel during the 87th Raising Day parade in Guwahati, Mr. Shah said that the CRPF has rendered unparalleled service to the nation. He said, CRPF jawans and the Cobra Battalions are doing unprecedented work in making the country Naxal-free. The Minister said, CRPF played important roles in restoring peace in northeast region, Jammu and Kashmir and in Maoists hit areas. He said, without CRPF the country cannot imagine of its internal security. Reiterating the role played by the CRPF in restoring peace, the Home Minister said that several battalions of this force has been deployed in the violence hit Manipur to restore peace. He paid tributes to those CRPF personnel, who lost their lives while protecting the nation. He said 2,270 brave personnel have laid down their lives in service to the country. He said, 700 personnel of this force sacrificed their lives in north-east alone. On this occasion, Union Home Minister reviewed the ceremonial parade and took the salute. He also conferred medals of bravery to CRPF personnel, honouring their exceptional courage. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also present on the ocassion. Later, in the afternoon, the Union Minister will lay the foundation stone for a new campus of the 10th Assam Police Battalion at Kachutoli, a nearby area of Guwahati. The battalion is currently functioning from Guwahati and will shift to the newly developed premises once construction is completed.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today held a meeting with Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, Dr. Lajos Oláh in New Delhi. In a social media post, Mr. Birla said the discussions centred on deepening parliamentary cooperation and exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding and friendly relations between India and Hungary.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi today underlined the importance of maritime cooperation while inaugurating the fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave. Addressing delegates, the Navy Chief described the recent congregation of 74 nations at Visakhapatnam for the International Fleet Review and the harbour and sea phases of MILAN as a maritime Mahakumbh. He said the large-scale participation reflected growing global maritime engagement. Highlighting the significance of the sea, Admiral Tripathi noted that over 70 percent of the globe is covered by water and that 95 percent of country’s trade by volume and over 68 percent by value moves through sea routes. Mr Tripathi said that IOS Sagar 2.0 will be launched soon. He said the conclave, which brings together 14 Indian Ocean littoral nations, provides a focused platform to discuss shared challenges in the region. The Navy Chief expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic participation and voiced confidence that the Indian Navy-led initiative will yield meaningful outcomes.

Dr. Rajesh Tanaji Mhatre from Maharashtra State is a distinguished Social Worker devoted to social upliftment and a highly accomplished Civil Engineer, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Valuer, and Structural Auditor. With a career that seamlessly blends technical expertise and humanitarian service, he has emerged as a respected figure known for strengthening both infrastructure and communities. His professional excellence in civil engineering and structural auditing is matched by his unwavering dedication to societal development, making him a true embodiment of service-driven leadership. Over the years, Dr. Mhatre’s relentless efforts and impactful contributions have earned him an extraordinary number of prestigious honors from renowned national and international organizations. From the Bharat Seva Society, he has been conferred with the Bharat Seva Puraskar, Bharat Kamal Puraskar, Rashtra Seva Puraskar, and Desh Seva Puraskar, recognizing his outstanding commitment to national service and community welfare. His contributions have also been celebrated by the Indian NGO Awards Council, which honored him with the Netaji Smriti Puraskar, National Talent Award, Mahatma Gandhi Desh Seva Puraskar, and Jaihind Puraskar, further acknowledging his leadership, social responsibility, and patriotic spirit. In addition, the Veyil Foundation has recognized his remarkable work by presenting him with the Rabindra Ratna Puraskar, Bharat Swabhiman Puraskar, Kamal Ratna Puraskar, and Swaraj Swabhiman Puraskar—awards that reflect his dedication to integrity, empowerment, and societal pride. His influence extends beyond national boundaries, as the World Talent Network honored him with the World Talent Award, World Icon Award, India Icon Award, India Talent Award, Indo Spanish International Award, and Asia Talent Award, underscoring his global recognition as a symbol of excellence and service. Further adding to his distinguished list of accolades are the Swami Vivekananda Smriti Puraskar and the Rashtra Jyoti Puraskar, which highlight his inspirational character, ethical values, and tireless commitment to nation-building. Dr. Rajesh Tanaji Mhatre’s journey reflects the powerful combination of professional mastery and compassionate service. Through his engineering expertise, he has contributed to structural safety and development, and through his social initiatives, he has uplifted communities and inspired many. His extensive array of awards stands as a testament not only to his achievements but also to his enduring dedication to the progress and betterment of society.

Abhishek Kapoor, hailing from Delhi NCT, has been chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Indian Arts Award for the year 2026. This distinguished recognition is conferred by the Indian Literature & Arts Society, an esteemed body committed to promoting excellence and innovation across diverse artistic disciplines. The Indian Arts Award stands as a symbol of distinction, celebrating individuals who have made meaningful and lasting contributions to the creative landscape. Abhishek Kapoor’s selection for this honor reflects his remarkable achievements in the field of documentary filmmaking, where his work has consistently demonstrated depth, authenticity, and a compelling narrative voice. Through his documentaries, Kapoor has captured the complexities of human experiences with sensitivity and insight. His storytelling is marked by a keen observational lens and a commitment to presenting realities that often go unnoticed. By bringing real-life stories to the forefront, he has not only informed audiences but also inspired reflection and dialogue on critical social, cultural, and humanitarian issues. Documentary filmmaking, as an art form, plays a crucial role in preserving lived experiences and presenting truths that shape public understanding. Abhishek Kapoor’s body of work exemplifies this power. His films resonate deeply with viewers, sparking conversations that extend beyond the screen and encouraging meaningful engagement with contemporary issues. His dedication to the craft underscores the transformative potential of visual storytelling. The Indian Arts Award 2026 not only honors Kapoor’s individual accomplishments but also reinforces the broader importance of the arts in enriching society. By recognizing talent such as his, the Indian Literature & Arts Society continues to foster a culture that values creativity, integrity, and artistic excellence. As the nation celebrates Abhishek Kapoor’s achievement, his journey serves as an inspiration to emerging filmmakers and artists. His success highlights the significance of perseverance, vision, and a strong commitment to storytelling in shaping impactful artistic careers. The recognition stands as both a tribute to his contributions and a reminder of the vital role that documentary cinema plays in illuminating the human condition and strengthening our cultural fabric.

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that India is well-positioned to be a leader in AI and demonstrate its mass adoption and deployment in society. Addressing an event at the India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Mr. Sunak said there is incredible optimism and trust towards AI in India, while in the West, the overriding feeling is one of anxiety at the moment. He said, India has recognised that leadership in technology does not just depend on inventing technology; it’s about how you deploy it. Mr Sunak said India’s focus on mass adoption of AI is backed by a deep talent pool, strong digital public infrastructure, and a public very supportive of the technology. Former UK Prime Minister said, in the Stanford Global AI Vibrancy 2025 report, India has been ranked third for AI competitiveness and ecosystem vibrancy. India is hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16-20, in which a large number of world leaders, technology experts and innovators are participating.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) and World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the supply of rice in support of global humanitarian operations aimed at combating hunger. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has informed that FCI will supply two lakh metric tonnes of rice to WFP under the MoU. Department of Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said this agreement showcases the country’s resolve to ensure no one goes hungry. India will continue to stand with the international community in combating malnutrition and food insecurity, he added. The partnership reinforces India’s commitment to global food security, strengthening cooperation with WFP in addressing humanitarian needs worldwide and reinforces India’s role as a trusted and responsible contributor to global food systems.

At India AI Impact Summit, Google has announced that it will connect India with the US through new subsea cables as part of a 15 billion dollar investment spread over five years. In a statement, the company informed that through their collaborative infrastructure initiative named America-India Connect, a new international subsea gateway will be established in Vizag. It added that three new subsea paths connecting India to Singapore, South Africa, and Australia, and four strategic fibre-optic routes will also be established. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai, said that the initiative delivers new subsea cable routes to increase AI connectivity between India, the United States of America and multiple locations across the southern hemisphere. On the occasion, he also expressed hope that we believe India is going to have an extraordinary trajectory with AI. He further added that Google is partnering with AIIMS in India to explore how patients can input their symptoms or provide information, and the AI can create a report to help assist doctors.

Election Commission of India has decided to issue show-cause notices to the concerned Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) for failing to upload a large number of voters’ documents online under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process currently underway in West Bengal. According to an official, even four days after the hearing concluded, nearly one lakh fifteen thousand documents are yet to be uploaded. The Commission had clearly instructed all EROs and AEROs that if any application is rejected, the specific reason must be clearly stated. However, allegations have surfaced that this rule has been violated in several cases. The disposal process is also reportedly moving at a slow pace, and sudden system failures have been reported in some areas. Citing these reasons, the Commission has decided to issue show-cause notices. Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress has alleged that Special Roll Observer C. Murugan violated an order of the Supreme Court by issuing directions to officers through WhatsApp. Responding to the allegations, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agrawal clarified that Mr. Murugan had not issued any independent directions but had only explained the Commission’s instructions. He added that Mr. Murugan would be spoken to in light of the Trinamool Congress’ complaint. No response has been received from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office regarding the demand for Mr. Murugan’s resignation.