Author: News Desk

The Indian Navy’s INSV Kaundinya, a traditionally constructed sailing vessel inspired by 5th-century Indian maritime history, has successfully completed its historic 18-day voyage to Muscat, Oman, arriving on 14 January 2026 after setting sail from Porbandar, Gujarat in late December. Built using ancient stitched-shipbuilding techniques, where wooden planks are tied with coir rope and natural resins without metal nails, INSV Kaundinya embodies India’s centuries-old maritime craftsmanship and naval tradition. The design draws inspiration from historical depictions found in Ajanta cave paintings, blending traditional methods with symbolic cultural motifs that evoke the country’s seafaring past. The vessel’s maiden overseas voyage retraced ancient trading routes across the Arabian Sea that once connected the Indian…

In 1884, a young Zoroastrian immigrant, Ardeshir Khodadad Irani, arrived in Pune from Yazd with little money and a clear idea. When soda water from Bombay ran short, British soldiers and local residents struggled in the heat. Ardeshir set up a small soda-water experiment in a rented barrack, using charcoal to generate carbonation. Soon he added sugar and natural flavourings, and Ardeshir’s sodas -raspberry, orangeade, lemonade, spicy ginger, ice-cream soda, and more earned a loyal following. Four generations later, the brand is helmed by his great-grandson Marzban Irani. The commitment remains the same: hand-crafted flavour mixes and returnable glass bottles that favour both taste and sustainability traditions bigger brands often abandon.…

Kadamakudy, a picturesque village located in Kerala’s backwater belt, has captured attention online for its remarkable way of life, a place where waterways serve as the primary routes for daily movement rather than traditional roads. In this unique settlement, the backwaters that thread through the landscape are used by residents for commuting, transporting goods and connecting with neighbouring communities. The village’s boats are essential to everyday living. Students travel to school, vendors move produce, and families run errands using traditional motorised and small passenger boats that glide through the calm waters. The waterways link homes and local businesses, creating a floating network of…

Ethiopia has chosen India’s state-owned telecom and ICT company RailTel Corporation to build a greenfield data centre for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Addis Ababa, according to The Economic Times. The data centre is expected to be completed within a year, followed by three years of operation and maintenance support. RailTel said the project is part of India’s contribution to the Digital Ethiopia Strategy. The assignment was facilitated through India’s Ministry of External Affairs under a government-to-government framework. The project follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia in December 2025, where he highlighted India’s plans to expand cooperation…

Russia has confirmed that the fourth squadron of the S-400 Triumf air defence system will be delivered to the Indian Air Force by May 2026, with the fifth squadron expected in 2027. This marks an important step in boosting India’s long-range air defence capabilities amid growing tensions in South Asia. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the strong military cooperation between India and Russia, while officials confirmed that the S-400 programme remains a key part of India’s layered air defence strategy. Delays caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions had slowed previous deliveries, but the new timeline restores confidence in India’s air defence planning. The S-400 system was tested…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, the Howrah–Guwahati Vande Bharat Express from Malda Town station in West Bengal, in a major boost to long-distance passenger mobility and rail modernization. The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is designed to serve longer inter-city routes while offering the comfort of air-conditioned sleeper coaches alongside modern amenities typically found in premium train services. The inaugural run on the Howrah–Guwahati corridor underscores the government’s focus on enhancing connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast. Railway officials highlighted that the sleeper variant adds greater flexibility to the Vande Bharat fleet by catering to overnight and long-distance passengers, combining higher…

France and India are advancing negotiations on a major defence agreement for the procurement and local production of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force under a broad ‘Make in India’ framework. Under discussions, a significant portion of the aircraft, potentially up to around 55–60% indigenisation initially and aspirations of up to 80% localisation is expected to be manufactured in India through partnerships with Indian firms such as Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) in Nagpur and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Hyderabad. These production plans include establishing final assembly, fuselage manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facilities on Indian soil, beginning with local fuselage fabrication and eventual full…

The Government of India is reportedly exploring plans to ease foreign investment norms in the defence sector, aiming to attract greater global participation, advanced technologies and capital inflows into domestic defence manufacturing. Under consideration are policy reforms that could raise foreign direct investment (FDI) caps and reduce approval barriers for overseas firms seeking to invest or partner with Indian defence companies. The proposed easing of FDI rules comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s defence industrial base, align with the objectives of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and enhance the country’s appeal as a preferred destination for global defence supply chains. Industry stakeholders have long advocated for streamlined…

The Government of India has updated its Qualifying Customs Obligations (QCO) list to include aluminium cookware and aluminium beverage cans, aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing in these sectors. The QCO mechanism requires importers to undertake certain domestic production or investment obligations to qualify for concessional customs duty rates, thereby encouraging local industry participation. Under the revised policy, companies importing the specified aluminium products under preferential duty conditions will now have to meet minimum thresholds of local production or value addition in India. This adjustment comes as part of the government’s efforts to strike a balance between tariff rationalisation, aimed at simplifying and reducing import duties, and targeted protection…

Thiruvananthapuram has emerged as a standout destination in Agoda’s latest international travel growth rankings, highlighting the Kerala capital’s growing global appeal. The surge reflects increasing international searches and bookings, driven by a mix of cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and improved connectivity. At the heart of the city’s attraction is the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a major spiritual and architectural landmark drawing visitors from across the world. Beach destinations such as Kovalam, Shanghumugham, and the nearby Varkala Cliff continue to rank high among foreign travellers seeking coastal escapes. Nature and adventure tourism are gaining traction with destinations like Ponmudi Hills, offering cool climates, winding roads, and panoramic views.…