Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced India's ambition to produce its first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years through a joint venture. He highlighted the rapid growth of the country's aviation sector, with significant aircraft orders, planned new airports, and potential for manufacturing jet engines and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, underscoring India's increasing role in global aviation.
Bengaluru-based electric air taxi startup Sarla Aviation has received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a crucial step towards commercial production of its indigenous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company also inaugurated its new headquarters and announced partnerships, highlighting India's growing capabilities in advanced aerospace technology.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) proceeded with a discussion on former student Umar Khalid's book, "Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power," despite the university cancelling the original venue booking. The event, planned to observe Indigenous Peoples' Day, was held outside an academic building after the JNUSU condemned the university's "arbitrary" decision.
'I welcome Droupadi Murmu as the first Adivasi woman President of India, but her track record has not been good as a politician and governor of Jharkhand when it came to helping Adivasis,' points out activist Gladson Dungdung.
A year after hosting the football World Cup and a year before staging the Summer Olympics, Brazil is set to stage a new international event -- the Indigenous Peoples World Games.
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain the Centre's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's decision to uphold the maintainability of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) against the Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project. The PILs allege violations of the Forest Rights Act and impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The apex court directed the High Court to proceed with hearing all related petitions.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) cancelled permission for a discussion on a book authored by its former student Umar Khalid, currently jailed in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case, citing 'non-disclosure of full facts' about the event. The JNUSU condemned the decision as 'arbitrary and authoritarian', vowing to proceed with the discussion at an alternative venue.
The Union government has deferred census operations in Manipur, originally scheduled to begin on September 1, following persistent demands from civil society organisations for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to address concerns about demographic changes due to alleged illegal immigration.
It isn't a fancy food. It doesn't have the national recognition of litti or baati. Outside its little corner of Vidarbha, many people may not even know it exists.
The Nagaland Indigenous Tribes Cultural Resource Centre has been inaugurated in Kohima to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the state's indigenous tribes.
A fresh clash erupted between protesters from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in Dhemaji district, leading to police firing in the air, as an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh entered its second day over land encroachment issues and an earlier firing incident.
The main issue of the Indian indigenous people is the title to land.
Experts at a national symposium in Shillong discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence in tourism, emphasising that AI should support human judgment, local knowledge, and cultural values rather than replace them. Discussions highlighted the need for robust policies to address ethical concerns, safeguard livelihoods, and preserve cultural heritage while leveraging AI for innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector, particularly in Meghalaya.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar lauded KEONICS' initiative to provide AI-based KEO computers to rural children, marking the institution's golden jubilee. The KEO computers, developed in Karnataka, aim to bridge the digital divide. Shivakumar also highlighted government efforts to promote IT beyond Bengaluru, enhance industry-oriented skills, and digitise property records, emphasising the state's commitment to technology and skill development.
BRICS Sports Ministers adopted a Joint Declaration in Visakhapatnam, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen sports cooperation through dialogue and mutual respect. The meeting, held under India's 2026 Chairship, saw Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya call for a BRICS Sporting Partnership and introduce three key initiatives: a Working Group on Sports Technology, a Sports Manufacturing Conclave in Udaipur, and Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games in Ahmedabad in 2026.
'Once demographic fear becomes campaign language, it legitimises social targeting.'
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration has endorsed India's proposals for a Working Group on Sports Technology and a Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave, aiming to enhance cooperation and innovation among member nations in the sports sector.
Andhra Pradesh is set to launch India's first indigenously built, open-access quantum computers, marking a significant step towards building a sovereign quantum hardware ecosystem. The initiative aims to position the state as a global hub for quantum technology and enable applications in various sectors.
J R D Tata, chairman of the Tata group from 1938 to 1991, said that whenever he had to make a difficult decision, he would ask himself, what will be good for India, and what will be good for the Tatas. If he had a doubt, he would decide in favour of India. In the long run, it would turn out well for the Tatas too, he said, points out Arun Maira.
Buying a mature rocket technology gives companies the designs and hardware know-how, but not necessarily the decades of engineering wisdom needed to make it work.
Odisha's Koraput Coffee, specifically the 'Tiger Bright' brand, was distributed to delegates and journalists at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This initiative has brought international attention to the Arabica coffee grown by tribal farmers in the Koraput district, highlighting the state's local produce and the 'Vocal for Local' spirit. The coffee's unique cultivation methods and the support from the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) have significantly boosted its market presence and benefited tribal families.
The Maharashtra government is setting up a ministerial task force, led by Minister Ashish Shelar, to ensure the effective implementation of its drone policy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced this, emphasising the need for a "policy of policies" to integrate R&D, manufacturing, testing, and subsidies, and to strengthen the state's drone ecosystem, including developing a 'Drone City'.
Specialised range taking shape in Andhra Pradesh, while West Bengal clears way for DRDO's new testing facility.
'From day one, our vision has been to build a company that develops and owns the technologies defining the future of space.'
The committee has also suggested two formulas for the reservation of seats for the indigenous people in the Assam assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies of the state, including 67 per cent quota for them.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPV) has launched its new brand identity, TATA.CARS, aiming to appeal to a younger demographic with a focus on smarter, greener, and more connected mobility experiences.
Amidst ongoing ethnic tensions, a new political alignment in Manipur sees Meitei and Naga groups uniting to demand an update to the National Register of Citizens with a 1951 base year, a move fiercely opposed by Kuki-Zo communities who fear it will disenfranchise them.
'Improved law and order and transparent governance have helped change UP's investment image.'
Over 14,000 members of the academic and scientific community have petitioned Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking intervention against Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's "gau mutra expert" remark concerning IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti during parliamentary proceedings. The petition calls for the withdrawal of the derogatory expression, arguing it undermines the dignity of an eminent scientist and the institution he leads, and urges for respectful democratic discourse.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, the IAF chief, has strongly advocated for India to achieve greater self-reliance in unmanned aerial systems and other critical defence technologies, stating, "Technology delayed is technology denied." He stressed the importance of indigenous development to avoid dependency on other countries for components.
The list showed the total number of applicants was 3,29,91,385 out of which 40,07,717 names, which is 12.15 per cent, were not included.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has accused anti-India forces of using social media to spread rumours and mislead society, calling it a 'medium' for conspiracies against the country. He also criticised the alleged historical neglect of Indian revolutionaries in favour of one political family.
For the first time in Independence Day celebrations, 'Vande Mataram' will be rendered at the Red Fort complex during the 79th anniversary on August 15, followed by the recitation of the National Anthem, marking 150 years of the National Song's legacy.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption and land grabbing, promising action if the Congress party wins the upcoming elections in Assam. Gandhi also criticised the BJP's governance and economic policies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast, highlighted India's recent achievements in self-reliance, including the maiden flight of the made-in-India C-295 aircraft and the induction of indigenous naval ships. He also lauded the global participation in International Yoga Day and India's success at the World Yoga Asana Championship, alongside Nalanda University's revival of the 'Shastrarth' tradition.
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has chosen seven to eight biotechnology startups as the initial group to receive funding from the government's ~1 trillion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, with an average investment of approximately ~25 crore per startup.
A parliamentary panel has strongly recommended that the Indian government appoint a dedicated 'polar ambassador' to enhance its strategic engagement and diplomatic influence in the critical Arctic and Antarctic regions, aligning with global trends and India's growing focus on polar affairs.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered action and the arrest of 16 people following an attack on police and officials serving eviction notices to alleged encroachers in Azara, Guwahati. Sarma asserts that all encroachers will be evicted and a permanent police camp will be established in the area.
An Indian Army contingent, Navy warships INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak, and a naval band are participating in Seychelles' Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending as the Guest of Honour, underscoring the strong strategic partnership and defence cooperation between India and the archipelago nation.
'None of the characters has convincing motivation for their actions or words. There are no sex scenes, and all the food looks horrible.'
