Author: News Desk

Kerala has been honored on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 list, with its culinary culture recognized as one of the world’s top travel experiences. This recognition celebrates Kerala not just for its scenic backwaters and lush greenery, but for how deeply food is woven into its way of life. Kerala’s cuisine is a living narrative of history, shaped by Arab traders, Portuguese settlers, and local communities along the Malabar Coast. The dishes capture a fusion of flavors that balance heat, aroma, and texture. Karimeen Pollichathu, the state’s signature fish dish, is marinated with spices and grilled inside banana leaves, creating a smoky,…

India’s journey toward literacy continues to evolve, as the latest 2025 data highlights a shift in educational leadership toward smaller states and union territories.  Mizoram At the top of the list is Mizoram, which has achieved an impressive literacy rate of 98.2%, making it the highest in the nation. This milestone is attributed to universal access to schooling in every village and strong community engagement in education. Lakshadweep Close behind, Lakshadweep records 97.3%. Despite its remote island geography, the territory has built an inclusive education system with well-equipped schools and trained teachers across its islands. Nagaland Nagaland follows with 95.7%, where non-governmental organisations and local missions have partnered with government…

During its Q2 FY26 analyst call, Bajaj Auto Ltd announced a partnership with KTM and Triumph to develop new motorcycles sized just under 350 cc. This move follows a revision in India’s GST rates: the tax for bikes up to 350 cc was lowered to 18 percent, while the levy on models over 350 cc was hiked to 40 percent. Bajaj’s Executive Director, Rakesh Sharma, confirmed the intent to “reshape our portfolio to take advantage of the lower GST rates.” The plan involves downsizing the 399 cc Triumph engine platform and creating similar sub-350 cc versions for KTM’s 390 series. This strategic shift aims to maintain affordability and competitiveness. Early reports suggest a 3-5 hp…

Anas Kadiyarakam, a native of Kozhikode district and human-resources professional in Abu Dhabi, has earned the prestigious ‘Outstanding Workforce – Skilled Workers’ award at the Emirates Labour Market Awards. The recognition marks the pinnacle of his 16-year journey in the UAE healthcare sector, culminating in a trophy, Dh100,000, a gold coin, and an Apple Watch, among other prizes. Arriving in Abu Dhabi in 2009 as an HR Executive, Anas rose to Regional HR Manager at the LLH Hospital cluster under Burjeel Holdings, managing strategic projects and guiding personnel through the pandemic. His leadership role during the COVID-19 response, particularly at Mafraq COVID-19 Hospital,…

The Ministry of Defence has signed a Rs 2,095.70 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the purchase of INVAR anti tank missiles. The agreement, cleared under the Buy Indian category, was signed at South Block in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior representatives from both sides. Strengthening the T 90 fleet The INVAR missile will increase the firepower of the T 90 tanks that form the backbone of the Indian Army’s armoured regiments. The system uses a laser guided mechanism and is known for its high hit accuracy. With this addition, the…

India’s vast railway system has stepped into a new chapter with the upgrade of Rani Kamalapati Station in Bhopal. The station, earlier known as Habibganj, is now the first in the country to be run by a private operator, raising the level of comfort and service for huge numbers of passengers. The station sits in the heart of the city and functions under a public private partnership. Indian Railways keeps ownership, while a private group manages daily operations and maintenance. This shift followed a complete redevelopment carried out by the Bansal Group along with the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation.…

India and Canada announced fresh long-term collaborations on Friday, focusing on critical minerals, clean energy and new trade avenues in the aerospace sector. The move signals a thaw in relations that had been strained during Justin Trudeau’s tenure. High-Level Talks in New DelhiThe agreements came after the 7th Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) held in New Delhi from November 11 to 14. Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Maninder Sidhu visited India at the invitation of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. This round of talks followed directions set by both Prime Ministers during…

The Ernakulam Rural Cyber Police have registered a case after Flipkart detected a major fraud at its delivery hubs in the district. Mobile phones worth Rs 1.61 crore were reported missing, officials said on Friday. The complaint was lodged by Flipkart’s enforcement officer, prompting the police to launch an investigation on Thursday. Hubs and Accused IdentifiedThe fraud was discovered at Flipkart delivery hubs in Kanjoor, Kuruppampady, Mekkad, and Muvattupuzha. Police have named four individuals in connection with the case: Siddiqy K Aliyar, Jassim Dileep, Haris P A, and Mahin Noushad, who were in charge of the respective hubs. Details of…

India emerged as the second-largest importer of Russian crude oil in October, trailing only China, according to the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Indian purchases stood at $2.5 billion, while China’s imports reached $3.7 billion. Overall, India’s fossil-fuel imports from Russia totaled $3.1 billion, compared with China’s $5.8 billion. Following India, Turkiye was the third-largest buyer at $2.7 billion, and the European Union ranked fourth, importing $1.1 billion worth of Russian fossil fuels. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has prompted Western nations to pressure India and China to limit their Russian oil imports, arguing that…

Recently, several posts circulating on social media and some online news platforms claimed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued new guidelines for exchanging old ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has now confirmed that these reports are entirely false. According to PIB, the RBI has not released any such notification. For reliable and official information regarding currency or financial matters, the RBI’s website (https://rbi.org.in) remains the sole trusted source. Citizens are advised not to forward unverified messages. In case of receiving suspicious messages, photos, or videos related to government announcements, individuals can verify their…