Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reached Munich, Germany, to participate in key engagements at the Munich Security Conference. Upon her arrival at the Munich International Airport today, she was received by the Consul General of India in Munich, Shatrughna Sinha. In a social media post, the Ministry of Finance said that the Minister is also scheduled to participate in important panel discussions focusing on global economic and strategic issues. On the sidelines of the conference, the Finance Minister will hold bilateral meetings with ministers and her counterparts from various countries, as well as with heads of leading multilateral organisations, to discuss matters of mutual interest and strengthen economic cooperation.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday approved three multitracking projects covering 12 districts across the states of Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 389 kilometres. The total estimated cost of the projects is around 18,509 crore rupees and will be completed up to 2030-31. These projects include Kasara – Manmad 3rd and 4th line, Delhi – Ambala 3rd and 4th line, and Ballari – Hosapete 3rd and 4th line. The projects will also generate direct employment for about 265 lakh human-days during construction. This initiative will improve travel convenience, reduce logistic cost, decrease oil imports and contribute to lower carbon dioxide emissions, supporting sustainable and efficient rail operations. The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services. CCEA also approved construction of four-Lane Access-Controlled Greenfield connectivity from Assam’s Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on 715 section. This includes 15.79 kilometres of Road cum Rail Tunnel under River Brahmaputra. The project will be developed at a total capital cost of 18,662 crore rupees. It will enhance multi-modal integration by connecting with 11 Economic Nodes, three Social Nodes, two Tourist nodes and eight Logistic Nodes, providing enhanced connectivity with four major railway stations, two airports, and two inland waterways. Upon completion, the project will play a pivotal role in strategic considerations, regional economic growth, strengthening connectivity between major economic centers and opening new avenues for trade and industrial development. The project will also generate approximately 80 Lakhs person-days of direct and indirect employment, and will open new avenues of growth, development and prosperity in surrounding regions. Government also gave its nod to Widening of National Highway-167 from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor to 4-Lane Standard in Telangana with a total project length of 80.01 kilometres and total capital cost of 3175.08 crore rupees. The project will provide seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Telangana. CCEA has also approved rehabilitation and upgradation of Ghoti – Trimbak (Mokhada) – Jawhar – Manor – Palghar section of NH-160A to two Lane /four Lane with a total capital cost of over 3320 crore rupees in Maharashtra. Government has approved upgradation of Dhamasiya-Bitada/ Movi and Nasarpore-Malotha Sections of National Highway-56 to Four-Lane Standard in Gujarat at a total capital cost of over 4583 crore rupees.

We are pleased to announce that Vikash Lhoani Lohar from West Bengal has been honored as the recipient of the Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026, awarded by the Veyil Foundation. This prestigious accolade recognizes outstanding achievements in the fields of advocacy and social work and celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to justice, integrity, and community service. Vikash Lhoani Lohar has distinguished himself through unwavering professional ethics and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law. Practicing primarily in the Darjeeling district, he has earned widespread respect for his principled and responsible approach to legal advocacy. His career reflects not only strong legal acumen but also a profound belief in fairness and equal access to justice for all. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to safeguard the legal rights of individuals, particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities, offering guidance, representation, and essential support to those seeking justice. Beyond his courtroom responsibilities, Vikash has consistently demonstrated a deep sense of social responsibility. He has taken meaningful initiatives to raise legal awareness within his community, empowering individuals with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities. His efforts to promote ethical advocacy and legal literacy have strengthened public trust in the legal system and reinforced the importance of accountability and transparency in professional practice. Through his dedication, he has contributed significantly to fostering a culture of justice and equity. This Certificate of Appreciation stands as a testament to Vikash Lhoani Lohar’s remarkable service, professional excellence, and invaluable contributions to society through his work in the legal profession. The Veyil Foundation proudly celebrates his achievements and looks forward to his continued impact in the field of law and social advocacy, confident that his commitment and integrity will inspire many more to serve their communities with honor and dedication.

Debashree Das Chakraborty of West Bengal has been conferred with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar for the year 2026, presented by the Veyil Foundation. The award recognizes her outstanding achievements in the field of Performing Arts, particularly her exceptional contribution as a vocalist specializing in Rabindra Sangeet. This distinguished honor celebrates not only her artistic excellence but also her meaningful engagement in technology and social initiatives, reflecting a life dedicated to creative expression and community advancement. With over two decades of experience in Information Technology, Debashree Das Chakraborty has built an impressive professional journey working with leading multinational corporations. Her career is marked by a strong commitment to innovation, leadership, and excellence. She has consistently demonstrated strategic insight and technical expertise, establishing herself as a respected professional in the corporate world. What makes her journey particularly inspiring is the way she seamlessly integrates her professional discipline with her philanthropic vision, channeling her experience and resources toward social causes that matter deeply to her. Beyond her corporate accomplishments, she remains actively involved with various non-governmental organizations, dedicating her time and energy to child education, the rescue and rehabilitation of survivors of human trafficking, and broader initiatives aimed at social justice and community upliftment. Her contributions extend beyond advocacy, reflecting sustained and heartfelt engagement with the communities she serves. Through these efforts, she exemplifies a compassionate leadership that seeks not only personal success but collective progress. Music, however, remains the soul of her public identity. As a devoted practitioner of Rabindra Sangeet, the timeless musical tradition created by Rabindranath Tagore, Debashree Das Chakraborty has captivated audiences with her expressive and nuanced performances at numerous cultural events. Her renditions are known for their emotional depth, lyrical sensitivity, and technical refinement. With every performance, she brings alive the poetic spirit and philosophical richness of Tagore’s compositions, forging a profound connection with listeners and keeping Bengal’s cultural heritage vibrant and relevant. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 stands as a testament to her multifaceted excellence. In honoring Debashree Das Chakraborty, the Veyil Foundation acknowledges not only a gifted vocalist but also a technology professional and social advocate whose life reflects balance, purpose, and dedication. She continues to inspire many by demonstrating that it is possible to harmoniously blend a successful career, artistic passion, and an unwavering commitment to societal betterment.

The Ministry of External Affairs today informed that Puneet Agrawal, an Indian Foreign Service officer from the batch of 1997 has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Thailand. Mr Agrawal is presently serving as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry.

A new UNICEF report released yesterday says the recruitment of children by armed groups in Haiti tripled last year as poverty and violence deepened across the troubled Caribbean country. The surge comes as gang violence displaces a record 1.4 million people across Haiti, more than half of them children, whom experts say are left exposed and vulnerable. UNICEF’s representative in Haiti, Geeta Narayan said the United Nations estimates that 30 per cent to 50 per cent of members of armed groups are children, with some as young as 9 years old being recruited. She described it as devastating. The UN Secretary General is expected to provide a breakdown of how many children were recruited last year in his annual report on Haiti in the upcoming months.

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the first awards under a Quad-backed initiative to use artificial intelligence (AI) to modernise agriculture across the United States and the Indo-Pacific. The programme, called Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen Agriculture, or AI-ENGAGE, will support six international research projects with an investment of 2.4 million dollars. The initiative is being carried out with partner agencies in Australia, India and Japan. The six projects are spread across major US universities and involve researchers from at least three Quad countries.

Akashvani Raipur in Chhattisgarh today hosted a Conclave to mark World Radio Day exploring the medium’s evolving role amid emerging technologies. The special event in Raipur was held in collaboration with UNESCO. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the event as the Chief Guest. Director General of Akashvani Rajiv Jain, UNESCO’s Regional Advisor for Communication and Information Hajjaj Male, several public representatives, Padma Shri awardees, and experts from various fields took part in the programme. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended greetings on the occasion. The day is observed every year on the 13th of February to commemorate the establishment of United Nations Radio in 1946. The theme this year is “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice, highlighting the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in the broadcasting ecosystem.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party is set to form the next government after sweeping the 13th national parliamentary election and crossing the two-thirds majority mark, according to official and party counts. The BNP and its allies are leading in 208 of the 284 constituencies declared so far, signalling a decisive mandate after nearly two decades out of power. Party Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul have won their respective seats along with several senior leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman, saying the victory reflects the trust of the Bangladeshi people in his leadership and reaffirming India’s support for a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. The Election Commission said voter turnout in the parliamentary election and simultaneous referendum was 59.44 percent. The twin polls were held peacefully across 299 constituencies. According to EC officials, counting of votes for the remaining seats as well as the referendum is currently in progress. Akashvani correspondent reports that the BNP and its allies are leading in 208 of the 284 constituencies declared so far, signalling a decisive mandate after nearly two decades out of power. Party Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul have won their respective seats along with several senior leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman, saying the victory reflects the trust of the Bangladeshi people in his leadership and reaffirming India’s support for a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. The Election Commission said voter turnout in the parliamentary election and simultaneous referendum was 59.44 percent. The twin polls were held peacefully across 299 constituencies. According to EC officials, counting of votes for the remaining seats as well as the referendum is currently in progress.

In the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, the West Indies defeated England by 30 runs in a Group C match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai last night. Put in to bat first, the West Indies posted 196 for six in their 20 overs with the help of Sherfane Rutherford’s 76 not out. In reply, England were bowled out for 166 in 19 overs. For the West Indies, Gudakesh Motie claimed three wickets. In the second match, Australia defeated Ireland by 67 runs in a Group B match in Colombo yesterday. Batting first, Australia scored 182 for six in 20 overs. Ireland were then bowled out for 115 in 16.5 overs. Inthe third match, South Africa edged past Afghanistan in a thrilling double Super Over contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Batting first, South Africa made 187 for six in 20 overs. Afghanistan were bowled out for 187 in 19.4 overs, forcing a Super Over. Afghanistan scored 17 in the first Super Over, and South Africa matched it to tie again. In the second Super Over, South Africa posted 23, while Afghanistan managed 19, handing the Proteas a four-run victory.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Punjab President, Sunil Jakhar, has invited farmer organisations from the state for a dialogue on the India-US trade agreement. Stating that if the farmers see any shortcomings in the agreement, then they should choose the path of discussion rather than agitation. He reiterated that the agreement will not have any adverse impact on farmers, especially those in Punjab, and will instead benefit industry and trade while creating new employment opportunities for the youth. Speaking to the media after a meeting of party workers at Mohali yesterday, he emphasised that crops grown in Punjab, such as wheat, paddy, maize, and sugarcane, have been kept outside the scope of the agreement and will not affect farmers in any way. Mr. Jakhar appealed to farmer groups as well to clearly state what impact they believe the deal will have on Punjab’s farmers. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is firmly committed to protecting farmers’ interests, and the same resolve has ensured that Punjab farmers’ interests are safeguarded in this agreement.

Seeking to avoid any future unwarranted complication over the continuity of certain laws replaced by the Industrial Relations Code of 2020, an amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha yesterday. The Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 was introduced by Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya in the House during Zero Hour. The Bill is expected to be taken up for consideration and passing today. According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, replaces the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, relating to trade unions, industrial employment and industrial disputes.