Gaurav Agarwal, a distinguished individual from Assam, India, has recently been honored with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026, an award conferred by the Veyil Foundation. The recognition marks a significant milestone in his journey as both a successful businessman and a committed social worker, highlighting his impactful contributions to community development, youth empowerment, and economic progress in the region. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar is widely regarded as a symbol of excellence, celebrating individuals whose work brings meaningful and lasting change to society, and Gaurav Agarwal’s achievements strongly reflect the values embodied by this accolade. The award acknowledges Gaurav’s ability to balance entrepreneurial success with social responsibility, a combination that has set him apart as a role model in Assam. As a young entrepreneur, he has demonstrated resilience, innovation, and strategic vision while navigating the challenges of the business world. His success has not only contributed to economic activity but has also inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs across the region to pursue their ambitions with confidence and integrity. In addition to his business endeavors, Gaurav Agarwal serves as the Finance Incharge for the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in the Hojai District under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In this role, he has showcased strong leadership and financial acumen, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and effective management of resources. His contributions have played a key role in strengthening organizational initiatives and encouraging active participation among the youth. By promoting financial discipline and accountability, he has helped foster a sense of responsibility and civic awareness within the younger generation. Gaurav’s dedication to social causes is particularly evident through his extensive work in the Lanka community, where he is widely recognized as a prominent social worker. His initiatives focus on uplifting marginalized sections of society, supporting sustainable development, and creating opportunities for long-term growth. Whether through community support programs, awareness initiatives, or economic empowerment efforts, his work consistently aims to improve quality of life and promote inclusive progress. What sets Gaurav Agarwal apart is his holistic approach to development. He firmly believes that economic growth and social welfare must go hand in hand, and this philosophy is reflected in his actions. By leveraging his entrepreneurial skills and leadership experience, he has successfully built platforms that encourage collaboration, self-reliance, and shared growth within the community. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 not only honors Gaurav Agarwal’s past accomplishments but also serves as recognition of his ongoing commitment to service and excellence. The award stands as a testament to his dedication, vision, and tireless efforts to make a positive difference in society. As he continues his journey, his story is expected to inspire many others to pursue success while remaining deeply connected to the welfare of their communities.

The External Affairs Ministry has said that India is keeping a close eye on the prevailing situation in Iran. During a media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is committed to take whatever steps are required in the interest of the Indian citizens living in that country. He said that around nine thousand citizens, mostly students, are currently living in Iran. Mr Jaiswal said that in recent days, considering the situation in Iran, MEA has issued a few advisories suggesting that Indians avoid visiting Iran and also that those in Iran are advised to return.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the Startup India programme is not just a scheme but a ‘Rainbow Vision’ that connects diverse sectors with new opportunities.   Addressing an event marking a decade of Startup India on National Startup Day in New Delhi, Mr Modi said that the Startup India Mission has become a revolution in just ten years, fostering a new culture across the country. He noted that India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Observing that India’s youth are focused on solving real problems, the Prime Minister commended young innovators for their courage to dream anew.   The Prime Minister underlined that today marks the milestone of ten years of Startup India and that this journey is not merely the success story of a government scheme but the journey of millions of dreams and the realisation of countless imaginations. He pointed out that a decade ago, there were fewer than 500 startups in the country, while today the number has risen to more than two lakh. He noted that in 2014, India was home to just four unicorns, but now there are nearly 125 active unicorns. He said the world is watching this success story with amazement.   Mr Modi emphasised that courage is the first condition for enterprise, acknowledging the immense courage and risks the youth have taken to reach this stage. He noted that earlier risk-taking was discouraged in the country, but today it has become mainstream, and those who think beyond monthly salaries are not only accepted but also respected.   The Prime Minister also lauded the role of women in the startup ecosystem, noting that over 45 percent of recognised startups in India have at least one female director or partner. He added that, in terms of women-led startup funding, India boasts the second-largest ecosystem in the world, and this growing inclusivity within the startup sector is enhancing the country’s potential.   On the occasion, Mr Modi also visited the exhibition area at the event and interacted with exhibitors. In his address, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that in the last decade, a big change has been brought in the startup ecosystem under the leadership of the Prime Minister.    Startup India was launched on 16 January 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a transformative national programme to nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship and enable investment-driven growth. The objective of this initiative is to make India a nation of job creators rather than job seekers.   Over the past decade, Startup India has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s economic and innovation architecture. It has strengthened institutional mechanisms, expanded access to capital and mentorship, and fostered an enabling environment for startups to grow and scale across sectors and geographies. India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed unprecedented expansion during this period, with more than two lakh startups recognised across the country.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange colour warning for dense to very dense fog conditions over Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand till the 18th of this month.   The Met Department has also predicted dense fog at isolated places over Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal and Sikkim till Tuesday.   IMD has said that cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail over Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, East Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh for the next two to three days.

Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said bioenergy will play a pivotal role in decarbonising India’s MSME sector, especially industrial steam and heat applications.   Addressing a national workshop organised by the Ministry, the Minister said biomass-based green heat offers a practical and scalable solution to reduce MSMEs’ dependence on fossil fuels. He noted that while MSMEs contribute nearly one-third of India’s manufacturing output, a large part of their energy needs is still met through coal and furnace oil, making the transition to clean thermal energy essential.   The Minister jointly released an MNRE-GIZ report that outlines a sector-wise roadmap for adopting biomass-based solutions in textiles, food processing, chemicals, foundries and pharmaceuticals.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar has said that the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan is on an upward trajectory. Mr Jaishankar said this after co-chairing the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, in New Delhi today. He said that India and Japan hold immense potential for shaping the world order and de-risking the international economy.   In a social media post, the External Affairs Minister said that both countries discussed a wide range of issues during the discussions, including deeper economic cooperation, maritime security, supply chain resilience, critical minerals, technology, people-to-people ties, and multilateral cooperation. He noted that the discussions reflected the shared interests and mutual understanding between the two countries. The EAM added that he also had a useful exchange of perspectives on the Indo-Pacific and regional and global developments.   Earlier, in his opening address ahead of the talks with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Dr Jaishankar said that over the last two decades, India and Japan have successfully transformed their relationship from a purely economic one into a comprehensive and strategic partnership. He observed that India’s MAHASAGAR initiative and Vision for the Indo-Pacific closely align with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific outlook.   Mr Motegi gifted Dr Jaishankar the uniform of the Japanese national cricket team. In return, Dr Jaishankar presented his Japanese counterpart with a cricket bat signed by the Indian cricket team, reflecting their shared passion for the sport.

The Tamil community in Sri Lanka is celebrating Thai Pongal today with fervour and gaiety. Observed at the start of the Tamil month Thai, Pongal is a multi-day harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. The festival is named after the ceremonial ‘Pongal’, which means ‘to boil, overflow’ and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery. An Akashvani correspondent reports that as part of the celebrations, the Tamil Hindu community, which numbers upwards of 2 and a half million in the island, will visit temples today to give thanks for the abundance of the previous year’s harvest and pray for a successful one in the coming year. The multi-day celebration of Pongal marks the beginning of the sun’s journey northward, signalling the end of the winter solstice. Celebrations have started early in the morning with the making of beautiful designs of Kolam before every house. As devotees pray to the sun god, chants of ‘Pongalo pongal’ and the overflowing of Pongal from the pots will be notable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared an article highlighting how India is ready to share its robust digital public infrastructure with the Commonwealth community. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that the article, written by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, underscores India’s commitment to the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.   The article notes that as India hosts the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, the country does not view technology as a proprietary asset but as a public good. It highlights the nation’s willingness to share its digital public infrastructure to strengthen democratic resilience across the Commonwealth nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has shown that democratic institutions and democratic processes give democracy with stability, speed and scale. Addressing the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth at Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi today, Mr Modi said India has turned diversity into the strength of its democracy. He said, in India, democracy means last-mile delivery, and the government is working with a spirit of public welfare for every individual without any discrimination. Mr Modi highlighted that nearly 25 crore people in India came out of poverty over the past few years. Prime Minister Modi said that in India, the people are paramount, and their aspirations have been made the top priority. He said India turned diversity into its strength and emerged as the fastest-growing major economy. Mr Modi said, today, UPI in India is the world’s largest digital payment system. He said, India is the world’s largest vaccine producer and the world’s number two steel producer. The Prime Minister said, this is the fourth occasion when the Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers is being held in India. Prime Minister said India is strongly raising the concerns of the Global South on every global platform. Mr Modi said, during its G20 Presidency as well, India placed the priorities of the Global South at the centre of the global agenda. Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that AI and social media have enhanced the efficiency and capability of democratic institutions. He added that the misuse of AI and social media has given rise to serious challenges like misinformation, cybercrime, and social division. The Speaker emphasised that it is the collective responsibility of all to seriously consider these challenges and find appropriate solutions. Mr Birla expressed hope that deep discussions on important global issues will take place at this conference, and concrete policy decisions will be taken. Mr Birla highlighted that in the Indian Parliament’s journey of over seven decades, democracy has been empowered through the creation of people-centric policies and welfare laws. He stated that India’s fair electoral system has ensured the participation of every citizen of the country in democracy, and this has increased people’s faith in democracy.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the crew of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Kaundinya at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, calling the arrival more than just the completion of a voyage but a celebration of deep-rooted civilisational ties. The Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the arrival of the traditionally built stitched sail vessel in the Omani capital symbolises the enduring friendship between India and Oman, anchored in history, strengthened by trade and mutual respect. The vessel reached Muscat after completing its maiden voyage from Porbandar, marking a significant moment in the shared maritime heritage of the two countries. The journey underlines maritime, cultural and civilisational links that span over 5000 years and comes as India and Oman mark 70th years of diplomatic relations. Named after the legendary Indian mariner Kaundinya, the vessel showcases India’s indigenous maritime knowledge, craftsmanship and sustainable shipbuilding practices. The project was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and executed by the Indian Navy with support from naval architects, archaeologists, traditional shipbuilding designers and master shipwrights. Mr Sonowal described the vessel as a shining example of Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership, noting it was his resolve to revive India’s ancient shipbuilding genius and present it proudly before the world. The welcome ceremony at the port was attended by Azzan Al Busaidi, undersecretary for tourism at Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, along with senior dignitaries from the Indian Navy, Royal Navy of Oman, the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard and other ministries. A large Indian community, including students, enthusiastically welcomed the ship with traditional Indian and Omani cultural performances. Mr Sonowal outlined India’s $8.4 billion maritime development package aimed at strengthening the shipbuilding ecosystem through the creation of shipbuilding clusters, dedicated research and development support, and the establishment of a Maritime Development Fund. He also proposed establishing a green shipping corridor between India and Oman as a key area of future collaboration, while welcoming the signing of a memorandum of understanding on maritime heritage and museums to deepen cooperation and enrich the countries’ shared maritime history.

The country’s unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above remained largely stable in December, estimated at 4.8 per cent compared to 4.7 per cent recorded in November 2025.     According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s monthly labour force and unemployment data, the rural unemployment rate remained stagnant at 3.9 per cent. Among rural males aged 15 years and above, the unemployment rate remained low and stable at 4.1 per cent in December last year. The urban female unemployment rate moderated to 9.1 per cent last month, compared to 9.3 per cent in November 2025.     The overall Labour Force Participation Rate among persons aged 15 years and above also showed an upward trend at 56.1 per cent in the last month, compared to 55.8 per cent in November 2025.  In rural areas, the Labour Force Participation Rate was estimated as 59 percent in December 2025, as compared to 58.6 percent in November last year. The overall Worker Population Ratio for persons of age 15 years and above rose marginally to its yearly peak of 53.4 per cent last month.

Charvik Tek, a gifted young artist from Maharashtra, India, has achieved a remarkable milestone by being honored with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026, an award conferred by the Veyil Foundation. The recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to the field of Visual Arts, particularly his exceptional skills and creativity in drawing. At a notably young age, Charvik has emerged as a promising name in the art world, earning admiration from both national and international audiences. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar is regarded as a significant cultural honor, acknowledging individuals who demonstrate excellence, originality, and dedication in their respective artistic disciplines. Charvik’s selection for this award reflects not only his technical proficiency but also his deep understanding of visual expression. His artworks are known for their clarity of thought, emotional depth, and refined execution, qualities that set him apart from his peers. Charvik Tek’s artistic journey has been marked by consistent achievements and growing recognition. His works have been showcased on multiple platforms, extending beyond India’s borders and reaching international audiences. These global exhibitions and appreciations have played a crucial role in highlighting his talent on a wider stage, proving that creativity knows no geographical boundaries. Art enthusiasts and critics alike have praised his ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through drawing, a medium that demands both discipline and imagination. One of the most notable aspects of Charvik’s success is the national record he has set in the realm of visual arts. This accomplishment further strengthens his position as a young artist of exceptional promise. Achieving such recognition at an early stage of life is a testament to his unwavering commitment, countless hours of practice, and sincere passion for art. His journey reflects the power of perseverance and the importance of nurturing talent from a young age. Despite his growing list of accolades, Charvik remains focused on learning and evolving as an artist. He continues to explore new themes, techniques, and artistic avenues, constantly pushing the boundaries of his creative abilities. His dedication to continuous improvement suggests that his future contributions to the art world will be even more impactful. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 stands as a defining moment in Charvik Tek’s artistic career. Beyond being a personal achievement, it serves as an inspiration for countless young artists who aspire to make their mark in the field of visual arts. Charvik’s story highlights how talent, when combined with passion and perseverance, can lead to extraordinary success. As he moves forward, the art community will undoubtedly watch Charvik Tek’s journey with great interest. With his vision, discipline, and creative spirit, he is well on his way to leaving a lasting impression on the world of visual arts.